Wow I am soooo glad you got such a nice tail! Congrats! :D
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Wow I am soooo glad you got such a nice tail! Congrats! :D
Thank you. It's beautiful!
Great photos :)
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Hey guys. Looks like some people have had not-so-great experiences with Merrowfins. It's been brought to light in this thread: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthre...wfin-Tail-HELP
In the interest of preventing anyone else from having the same experience, I hope everyone will read through it before making any decisions about purchasing from Merrowfins.
Here's a link to their mernetwork review page MerrowFins
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url...9&share_type=t
Do either of you own merrowfin tails?
Just saying if your going to write or lead people into bad reviews I feel you should personally own one before placin an opinion. This is people's livelihoods and also sometimes only means of living. I understand having issues with a tail of being a happy customer are valid points but if you haven't been the one effected I feel only placing negative feed back focus is kinda bias.
I kinda speak for myself but I probably own the most single tails by the company since he is my companies Tailmaker... I own about 12 total.
About the only issue I've had is them being too high but that was made that way for a good reason. I put many different clients in tails so I need them to range in height. ( I'm also a tiny 5'2 girl so not the average client is my height.)
I've been happy with he work and offer suggestions to help Matt along his way in his New Business.
That's my option and I feel I have valid reason for speaking since I Actually Own many of tails made by the company :)
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Excuse the typos... Was typing a bit too quickly. But the point is shouldn't one own a tail before placing a good or bad review.
Pointers and suggestions are great but placing a business in a negative light before actually owning one for yourself is kinda horrible.
It's like someone writing a bad review about your mermaid business if they've never even hired you.
No one likes bad reviews try to be careful in how you write things... That's all :)
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The thing is Kelly, there is a terrible reputation in the mermaid community of people being ripped off by tailmakers and being given shoddily made tails. We have tried the 'be respectful and quiet and let those who have tails make reviews only' route, but it only ends up prolonging the issues. The concerns being raised and addressed about Merrowfins and his tails are valid and need to be looked into. I'm very glad you've had a good experience with Matty and his company, but not everyone appears to be having the same luck, and considering his past behavior, actions, and acquaintances, we're trying to be cautious.
No need to be condescending, Kellygracee. No one was trashing you and if you're happy with your tails, we're happy for you. But the customer who started the thread I linked to is having an absolutely awful experience with her Merrowfins tail and if you haven't looked at the photos she posted, please do. It doesn't take a genius to see that her tail is of extremely sub-standard quality, and she was desperately asking for help. Telling us that we can't have an opinion unless we own one of those tails ourselves is complete hogwash. That's like telling someone who doesn't have children that they're not allowed to have an opinion on crappy parenting; I may not have kids myself but I can certainly tell when I see someone abusing their kids, or overindulging them or encouraging ignorance. I have a lot of knowledge in this area and everything I said in that other thread was based on very close observations. That's not bias, kiddo. That's attention to detail and an understanding of how these things are made. I've spent close to two years now working with silicone and molding/casting materials (as well as having spent most of my life sculpting), testing a wide variety of different materials and techniques, so nothing that I said was wild conjecture or guesswork. I also have two degrees in biology and many years of experience working with fishes, so while my comments on the realism/reference image aspect may be a bit on the nitpicky side, they are still 100% accurate. I am extremely well qualified to comment on this subject.
I have nothing to gain from bashing a tailmaking company. I'm not being petty, I'm trying to help back up someone who has a WELL-DOCUMENTED ISSUE with her new tail, as well as provide some further info and knowledge as to why this is happening, AND help spread awareness of the issue so that no one else suffers a similar tragedy. This community means a lot to me and I despise seeing fellow mermaids get scammed again and again because no one speaks up. Honest mistakes are one thing, deliberate dishonesty is another, and I really fail to see how you can defend dishonest business practices. So yeah, I'm gonna bloody well speak up when I see someone doing something crappy that's causing people misery.
Would I have been happy if I could have given some constructive criticism and see it being honestly taken on board so the guy could actually improve himself and his business? Absolutely. Is that what's happening here? No. Matty's clearly demonstrated that he doesn't think he needs to learn any more or take suggestions from anyone, so I don't feel sorry for him. You're darn right no one likes bad reviews. Don't want bad reviews? Don't make bad products.
Edited to add: Also, please note that I did not write a review. I wrote comments in a thread that was started by someone else. Who was asking for comments. On her tail. This is a forum specifically for sharing this type of information so that people do not get scammed. So no, honey, no. Nothing I said was "kinda horrible". You know what I think is kinda horrible? Scammer apologists and people who refuse to let actual facts get in the way of their pre-formed opinions.
Theo out.
That's understandable. Just giving my personal experience since I actually Own a product made by him. On the other hand if I was buying a tail or shopping around, yes I too would want to know good and bad on each Tailmaker. It's just a personal experience since I know he's been doing this as Merrowfins for about a year and a half now and many of those orders I probably own. There might not be too many out on the market under "just Merrowfins" at the moment. So wanted to at least shed light on the fact that it is a new company and chances are j might own majority made right now... My experience has been a good one thankfully.
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Theo, it's very disrespectful to call Kelly kiddo, as she is not a 4 year old child and condescending, as she was just stating her experience. Kelly is a friend of mine and she owns a successful business which has a lot of MerrowFins tails. I'm really disappointed that the tail the mermaid got was not well made. It's very unlike Matt. And I Am pretty positive it is Dragonskin. I have been to Matts house, I've video chatted with him while he's working, and I've seen many of his tails in person. I've also seen him pour flukes and bodies and what not using Dragonskin. I don't know why he would switch, wouldn't make any sense. I also own a tail from him which is a full silicone one and it is lovely. Amazing fluke, great fins, easy to swim in. The mermaid who has the tail on the other forum has a basic tail which stretches only so far because it's not all silicone, it's a thin layer of silicone attached to fabric. So the tail can stretch as far as the fabric allows. I agree those seams are quite terrible but it might cause it's too tight on her and the material is loosening causing stress. And the sizing issue is a hard one to deal with. I had that with my first silicone tail from Mertailor, I know how painful that is. That's why I drove 20+hours from CT to FL to visit Matt so he could measure me himself. There's always the chance the sizing won't be spot on when ordering online. That goes with anything. Even buying a dress online. Might not fit the way you want it and it's better to try it on in stores.
I speaking in regards to having both opinions to the company.
I have been a professional costumer in the Electric music industry and have had experience with similar if not the same products tails are made with. Most tails I fix and replace myself since I live on an island in the Caribbean. Very difficult to not only buy product but to ship things to and from. (I'm sure the same issue most European mermaids deal with too).
I'm just stating the fact that I've had a good streak with tails and am lucky. I hope the woman who is having issues can fix the problem or maybe find a solution to help her continue in her mermaid career. I personally suggest options or offer my issues with products I've been testing to the companies I use for tops, tails and props. Personally haven't had an issue offering suggestions or "questions how to fix issues" when I spoke to Matt.
:) I was being polite I am just sensitive to certain things since I too own a business and make costumes as well and have been there before.
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http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...d94f20c05c.jpg testing out the new tails (first swim in the new Merrowfin tails with the Trainers)
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...598ac67a73.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...38489e8281.jpg
Our newest order.
Honestly only issue was the height of the tails. Might fix a few blending paint jobs for my personal taste but was a happy customer and my team was as well. :)
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Honestly the best thing you folks who are happy with your tails can do to support Merrowfins is post reviews with lots of pictures!
ETA like you did as I was typing this, lol. But also in the moderated reviews section, where you can only post if you have proof of ownership.
Since you are so happy with his tails that you bought you should post review on the MerrowFins review page so everyone can get both sides
Kelly, I think it's completely fair to lead potential tail buyers to good and not so good reviews, especially in a thread that is titled 'Thoughts on Merrowfins?..."
However, even though you own the bulk of Matt's products, I see you haven't written a review on any of them. Nor you, Vanora, and you seem to be Matty's biggest fan. What's up with that?
As for calling someone 'kiddo', please...you're gonna get butthurt over THAT?
Personally, I find it necessary for the bad review to also be posted here because in this thread there has been nothing but the good (and some fans who jump to the defense waaay too quickly with someone simply saying they don't like the way something looks) It's a necessary part of the tailmaking process.
Also, just because you are happy customers doesn't mean nothing hasn't changed since then, look at all the other scam companies, they all started out with glowing reviews right, and then the reviews got worse and where would we be if NO ONE stepped forward with their experience? Where would other mers be who know no better if mers in the community didn't step forward and tell them they may want to research into their tailmaker choice if the tailmaker has a history of bad reviews.
I own a costume business and I haven't had ONE customer who's measurements I've gotten wrong on my fault because my customers send me measurements and with those measurements I make their item. BUT if I did make a costume that didn't fit or had something wrong with it? I would want to know, that's one of the reasons I encourage my customers to leave reviews whether good or bad and link me to them so I can learn more about improving my craft.
I'm not butt hurt. I simply think it's uncalled for as Kelly is a grown women and was trying to have a civilized discussion. Also writing a review isn't on the top of my to do list. I have a review on Matts FB page of that interests you. Instead of writing a novel about how I feel about my tail and tail maker I was going to make a video, which takes time to actually make and edit. I also live in CT where it's usually cold so when there are warm days and I free I try to take my tail out for a swim. I feel like I should have owned it and used it more than 4 times to make a detailed review instead of trying it on once and making a decision. But so far with my swims, and photos I am pleased. I too have had very minor issues with my tail but it's nothing I got "butthurt" over and nothing that I couldn't fix in 5 minutes. And I do believe that bad reviews are necessary. It's part of being an artist. Sometimes you do amazing works and sometimes you drop the ball. That's just how life is. And I really really hope that mermaid can find a solution for her problem because it must be heartbreaking. I just feel like the second something goes wrong everyone here starts a riot. But when something good happens it's just kinda passed over. I feel as if good and bad reviews should be taken into consideration before everyone screams "Mertailor 2.0". I have a great tail, Kelly had multipal, another mermaid with a white and gold tail loves hers, and another with a blue one also loves hers. So I simply just ask you do your research before starting an apocalypse.
Good idea I will :)) thank you
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People dish out major money for a tail, being "butthurt" (i.e, unhappy) with a less than perfect item is 100% acceptable and understandable. If I dished out that much money to someone I trusted who told me it would be perfect then I would expect nothing less to arrive at my door. Also reviews on facebook while nice aren't accessible to everyone on the forum since some people here don't have a facebook while others are blocked (I know I'm blocked by a ton of people lol)
Also, if writing a review isn't a priority, then you can't exactly get mad when a bad review out glows the good since you know.... there aren't many ppl who have his tails posting reviews here that are that detailed as the bad review.
And another thing I've noticed is that you are a bit quick to tell anyone who says anything but showering praise on Matty about how happy YOU are with what you got, or how happy YOU are with the way something looks but you have to remember that you aren't his only audience, there are other people his products need to appeal to and someone saying they don't like the way scales, fluke, coloring, etc looks on his tails are not only valid criticism but also their opinion since everyone has different tastes in tails.
I love how when someone has a bad review or a bad product people instantly jump at anyone saying, it MUST be their fault!!
Victim blaming occurs when the victim of a crime or any wrongful act is held entirely or partially responsible for the harm that befell them. The study of victimology seeks to mitigate the perception of victims as responsible.
We have enough of this happening in the world as is! Why do we need to do this in this community?!
Been pretty busy with catching up on shoots and usually don't come on the forum unless I see a few things I getted flagged on. This is actually one I follow seeing how I was curious how everyone's tails where coming along.
My point was just giving a review on this forum if one doesn't personally have a hands on or personal experience. That was my point for responding.
I do agree with the fact that having good and bad comes with the business and I too would want to know customers experiences. But real customers who swim, have had hands on seen them at shows or conventions... Just some type of prof of owning it and making an option. :)
So I just spoke up seeing how I happen to be one of the few who owns one and might help give a balance to the company.
I will gladly post video and pictures on the review page and will hope to help anyone with any questions before buying if they want. Just want us all to be happy and hope everyone can enjoy what we do best... Making people happy and teaching them about the ocean conservation and ecosystem. I know that's what my business stands strong by.
I'll be posting pictures and reviews soon :)
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Oh, Kelly, I always wondered who's tails those were. I figured those were just tails made for his team and that you all weren't a separate company but just hired by him (like the Mertailor's mermaids are hired by him) Are yours the basic tails?
"My point was just giving a review on this forum if one doesn't personally have a hands on or personal experience. That was my point for responding" The only place to make A PROPER REVIEW is here http://mernetwork.com/index/forumdis...lmaker-Reviews ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE FORUM ANYONE CAN POST AND COMMENT HOW THEY LIKE. I don't understand what's so hard to understand about that. No one but Cat has posted a review about HER TAIL regarding her experience. a REVIEW goes in the REVIEW section.
I will say however that he made this sick glow in the dark tail for my night kayak tours that I am in love with!!!!! http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...1ff61af277.jpg
It has an 8hour glow charge and has the same huge fins Val's tail has...
Matt had complete free artistic freedom to do whatever he wanted on this tail.
The only guidelines where to be in my company colors (green) and glow for my night swims.
Final product :) happy and it's amazing.
Only down side is I need to be able to now swim like a "beast" and be able to swim in a tail about twice as heavier than my current tails... But I'm ok with that. Beauty is pain haha
:) hope everyone has a good day tho and hope this didn't ruffle too many feathers. I'm usually the quite one on this forum been on here for years hardly ever posted or said anything ever.
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Hi momo :)) I've seen a few of your costumes and wow! Do I love them by the way...
Yes we are a completely separate company who uses Merrowfins as our Tailmaker. I do however but old tails of mermaids and give them a home here :) I own about four tails from previous mermaid performers who either had an issue with their old tails or where ready to retire the tails to move on to a new one. I've bought tails from Tatiana from dive bar, Val who actually was a doll and did speak up on her good experience too ( I've bought two tails from her since she is my same shoe size) coral Beth and also treasure coast mermaid. All who are now friends of mine :) do to buying their old tails.
Merrowfins makes all our New tails and also flys in to train my girls and fit them in person. He also does repairs, paints our tails and is involved in all our instructor programs our trainers and performers follow. Most mermaid trainers are sea lion trainers at the local park and are marine biologists so we try our best to be well rounded in the program. Matt has been amazing with us and worked with us to provide tails for our customers and also our performers.
I guess that's why I spoke up to say I was happy. We own a few of his and other tail makers works and been happy all around.
:) maybe I'll post a few more things about the company but we are very new and still molding our brand at the moment. But been following this forum for years... Never made an account but been admiring the costuming for a long long time before we opened.
About 9 years ago I started researching tail making and costuming and making stuff myself so I'm happy to be apart of the Merfamily officially now.
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Sorry so off topic. Momo ours our basic and full silicon. My trainers use basic for our school and for performances and night kayak we use full silicon. :)
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Correct. I don't have much respect for anyone who tries to use their own experiences to invalidate others' or for anyone who claims that informing people about poor quality products is "kinda horrible". If you're so concerned with people who are just stating their experience, you need to give equal consideration to the negative experiences as well as the positive ones.Quote:
Originally Posted by VanoraSirene
You don't seem to have any experience actually working with silicone, however. I do. I can tell from photos that yours looks like full dragonskin silicone, yes. That doesn't mean that all his tails are. I'm sure you've seen him working with dragonskin, but that doesn't rule anything out. He could very easily be using the tin-cure mold rubber for partial tails when and where you can't see. No, it wouldn't make any sense if you want to make high-quality tails. If you want to make CHEAP tails, however...Quote:
Originally Posted by VanoraSirene
Good for you. Not relevant to the current discussion, however.Quote:
Originally Posted by VanoraSirene
This is victim blaming, as Moongazer has pointed out and explained very well. Don't do it.Quote:
Originally Posted by VanoraSirene
As for the "it's a thin layer of silicone attached to fabric" bit, dragonskin silicone layered over spandex or scuba knit (same material as spandex, just a bit thicker) would still be extremely stretchy. I know, because I have done it multiple times and the dragonskin retains its stretch. The fabric cannot be what's causing the stretch to be so vastly reduced. It's the silicone itself.
Kellygracee, I don't even know where to start with you. You keep making multiple posts trying to take over the discussion repeating over and over again what you've said about how great your own experience was but you're not even listening to what anyone else is saying about negative experiences. Stop. People have just as much right to discuss bad experiences as good ones, but you're trying to overwhelm the discussion with your own and it's extremely unhelpful. You also keep saying a lot of things that aren't even relevant to the discussion at all, while completely ignoring everything that people are trying to tell you. You're not being polite, you're being passive-aggressive, and you're certainly not being sensitive to the concerns that many other people are voicing.
Just like to say that we all have the right to express our feelings and personal experience.
These type of topics are always harder expressed accurately online and it is in person.
Was expressing my own experience. I understand good and bad experiences happen. Was sharing photos as a point of reference to back up my point. Which is my personal experience.
Not trying to stray away from what was mentioned before but since this is a Merrowfins post I figured I might put a few photos I currently have on my phone.
Hey I guess i need to figure out how to properly post on this forum a bit more formally than how I've been. Like I said I never really post anything. ;)
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So you get to just say what you want and then ignore everyone else's responses to yours while adding pictures and post after post of your own. I'm sorry but that's not really how the world works. Guess I'll be ignoring everything you say now, just as you've ignored mine and others from trying to have a discussion with you and your WRONG points.Quote:
Originally Posted by kellygracee
I just don't like to argue really. :) that's all
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This is not arguing. This is a discussion. If you don't know the difference, don't comment or start something you don't want to finish.
:)
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Wayy too aggressive for need on a topic.
Come on now.
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Can we please consolidate posts instead of posting several back to back. It makes the threads very frustrating to read and even more frustrating notification wise.
Oooh, I think my favorite one from the group tail shot is the blue tail with the purple accents, I've always loved blue tails but a lot of them seem to disappear in the water because of the color, How does this tail color look in photos/the water?Quote:
Originally Posted by kellygracee
Are any of those in the photo basic? Because I thought the basic tails didn't have textured flukes (one of the main things that turned me off the basic tails because even though I love his paint jobs, I also love textured flukes)
No one is victim blaming, I think we can all agree that the mermaids tail isn't perfect and has issues. I do think it is fixable though and I hope she contacts Matt and hopefully he can fix it up and give her a better product. She had a not so go experiance while me and Kelly had a good one. That is all. No one is blaming anybody. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I do not think that any ones experience should be invalidated.
I hate pulling the Moderator card, but please keep this calm and respectful.
Mernetwork is an open forum for opinions on many different topics, including opinions on tailmakers. You don't all need to agree with each other, but be polite and respect the fact that others will think differently than you. I'm not pointing at anyone directly at the moment, but I will if necessary. Please don't take it that far folks.
Vanora, please stop. You were absolutely victim blaming. You were implying that Cataleya's tail is falling apart because she didn't know how to look after it properly. That is not only super insensitive, it's really destructive behavior and people on this forum don't stand for that kind of thing. Saying super passive-aggressive, victim-blamey things and then acting like you don't even know what we're talking about when we call you on it? Saying "I do not think that any ones experience should be invalidated." after having JUST INVALIDATED everyone who disagrees with you? Not cool at all. You're just digging yourself a deeper hole. You better check yourself before you wreck yourself, because we're not falling for it.