I just received (last night) my tail made by Mermaid LaNyah (Samantha Conrad). I initially found her on ebay, when i stumbled across her add for a custom tail. The images were familiar, in fact I recognized a tail worn by Mermaid Shannon. I found her on Mernetwork and e-mailed her to verify that the e-bay tail seller was in fact her and to ask about her tail making experience (how many she has made, does she use silicone, can she add fins, etc). The e-bay seller was legit, so we started tail pricing at that base (a discount from her normal prices)... I told her what I wanted, and sent pictures and we worked out the details. I wanted a tail based on the color of the royal tang, but I wasn't super picky on matching the fin shapes exactly. This helped because she let me choose from fin molds she already had, thus saving the cost of re-molding a new fin. She was very hands on and communicated excellently. every e-mail i sent was answered in a day or less. She told me that there was a delay while she was out of town but quoted me a time frame of 8-10 weeks. (including the delay). the tail was delivered in just over 6 weeks. Obviously, this won't always be the case, but it was a nice surprise. Especially since I have a swimming gig this weekend for which I can use this tail!
Anyway, she offered me a choice of monofin (either a finis shooter or a dolphin fin by another brand, basically the same size and shape as the competitor). at my request, she even provided the tracking number for the monofin, so I could see when it got to her.
Then she began building. she sent me color samples before she began painting, and sent in progress pics as well.
Results: The colors are exactly what I expected, and reflect my vision well. the blended waist is a nice touch and the tail has powermesh embedded for strength. The fit is excellent, and I don't see any flaws.
The seams aren't exactly smooth or invisible like some of the more expensive tailmakers, but they are well placed and entirely within the darkest color areas so they are unobtrusive enough for me. the fins are sturdy and solid. drainage holes in the end of the fluke are very subtle, hidden on the bottom seam.
I haven't swum in it yet, but I will appendix my review this weekend.
attached are in progress pics, color samples she e-mailed and just before shipping images.
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Originally Posted by Yulia
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