What do you want in a tail maker?

[Jinx]

Ok mers! Here is the deal. I am almost ready to launch my own tail making business. Before I open I want to hear from you. I want to know what you want, wish, hope for, look for, and hope NOT to deal with or see when it comes to what you want in a tail maker. So what do YOU WANT TO EXPECT AND SEE IN YOUR MERMAID TAIL MAKER?????

Thanks for any input you volunteer !
Jynxie!

[Mermaid Tula]

Hmmm lets see...
It depends on what kind of tail you're making.

Silicone/Partial Silicone:
I would want colors that are just about spot on.
I know it would probably take longer, but different scales to choose from. (Or custom scales would be nice)
Custom fluke shape option.
Extra fins and dorsal options.

I'd like to see the tails come out in a timely order.
I wouldn't like to see the tail maker get overwhelmed and let orders get piled up to the point of not being able to do them all. (So a limit would be good at least until comfortable with taking larger orders)
Communication is KEY. I've seen so many people be hurt by lack of communication and even blocked communication.
I would like to see lots of picture updates, and possibly even a short video of the tail being packed for shipping.


Well, I think that's basically all I can think of at the moment. Hope this helps <3

[Mermaid Varshana]

1) Good communication.

2) Creativity, passion and talent.

3) Is able to do what I tell them to do.

4) Timeliness.

5) Has madd skillz with the materials they're using.

6) Wouldn't send out a product that any reasonable person would feel embarassed sending out.

7) Doesn't get backlogged with 1127827382378723647 orders.

8) HAS INTEGRITY.

9) Custom flukes.

10) Custom paint job. None of this "Pick from 1-3 colors" crap.

[Mermaid Momo]

I wouldn't really mind a set number of colors to pick from because pigment costs a lot of money. But maybe once you get off the ground, you offer more colors and custom colors?
- organized
- timely updates (preferably on a schedule. For ex: every other Monday you send an update , unless a costumer asks for one before the scheduled time .)
- lots of videos and photos
-has an order limit/ knows your own limits when it comes to making tails
- lots of communication
- deals professionally with bad reviews and bad blood (if any arise)
- good packaging. What i mean by that is, take your time to package every tail you send out. Or show someone how to do it. You can tell if someone just threw it into a box compared to someone who took the time to wrap it.

and basically what everyone else has said.

[Lady Aurelia]

Yay! I'm so excited for your tails. Very different design concept from what's being made out there.

I agree with everyone from above. Sorry, I can't really add anything to the conversation, but all that I can think of has been listed and I don't think you need another post repeating what's already been said.

[Mermaid Octavia]

What's important to me is:

• Communication / Willingness to work with customers on a one-on-one basis
• Timely updates (if any are requested) / Makes good on promises (i.e. sending photo updates when you say you will)
• Good quality photos so customers know generally what to expect
• Custom color options
• Professional attitude when it comes to reviews/drama

I know these materials take time to set, paint, etc. so delivering a tail within a reasonable timeframe (say 2-4 months or the like for silicone, perhaps shorter for fabric) is very respectable. Custom sales and flukes are probably more difficult so I wouldn't necessarily expect these from a tailmaker, especially a new one, but would be pleasantly surprised!

I hope that helps!

[indigo mermaid]

I'm still looking for a silicone tail that performs in the ocean as well as I do. I want a tail maker with knowledge about monofins and hydrodynamics as well as everything that goes into working with silicone, painting and running a quality business.

[Jinx]

All of these things are helping mers! Tell me more. Don't hold back.

[MerEmma]

LOTS of close up pictures of the fluke designs & scales.
Also plenty of examples.

[Ariadne]

Please don't post new projects on facebook without having responded to clients' emails first! Especially those whose tails are overdue - having to watch a tailmaker focus on other people's orders while wondering where yours is can be so upsetting.

[Merman Arion]

Please don't post new projects on facebook without having responded to clients' emails first! Especially those whose tails are overdue - having to watch a tailmaker focus on other people's orders while wondering where yours is can be so upsetting.

I second that statement. Eric Ducharme (aka The Mertailor) is sadly the best for this kind of shit. No respectful at all.

While i like the fact that he's creative for his bussiness (always with new ideas like his new flippers for example...), i think he should focus more on the orders first. Making a mermaid happy should be the first priority of a tail maker.

[Morticia Mermaid]

Ok, I have to share some input here because I know some behind the scenes information. The new fins aren't Eric's creation, they are Matt's. Eric does nothing more than pour the silicone for the new partial silicone tails using the fins.

And as far as on topic with the thread, I'd have to agree with everyone else.

[Jinx]

I second that statement. Eric Ducharme (aka The Mertailor) is sadly the best for this kind of shit. No respectful at all.

While i like the fact that he's creative for his bussiness (always with new ideas like his new flippers for example...), i think he should focus more on the orders first. Making a mermaid happy should be the first priority of a tail maker.

I totally aagree. I also think photos should only be posted publicly with the mermaids permission or after she has received it. That way if the design is a secret or surprise in some way it is kept secret, also it seems more respectful to the clients feelings to be certain they are ok with it if they are posted before they recieve their tail.

[Aziara]

I have to say, I've never ordered a tail myself, so I've never had to deal with a tail maker. But one thing that might keep you from being overwhelmed is only taking limited orders at a time, say somewhere between 5 to 10. That way, it would be easier to keep in touch with each customer and you'd be able to cut down the waiting time, because there aren't that many people waiting ahead of them. One thing I would say, is please please please make each tail in the same order you received the order from the customers.

[MerEmma]

I have to say, I've never ordered a tail myself, so I've never had to deal with a tail maker. But one thing that might keep you from being overwhelmed is only taking limited orders at a time, say somewhere between 5 to 10. That way, it would be easier to keep in touch with each customer and you'd be able to cut down the waiting time, because there aren't that many people waiting ahead of them. One thing I would say, is please please please make each tail in the same order you received the order from the customers.

Unless someone paid rush order, then you better rush that order! And make sure to let the other customers know about the rush order so they understand.

[Merman Arion]

Ok, I have to share some input here because I know some behind the scenes information. The new fins aren't Eric's creation, they are Matt's. Eric does nothing more than pour the silicone for the new partial silicone tails using the fins.

And as far as on topic with the thread, I'd have to agree with everyone else.

Really??! Matt's creations? Of course, he failed to mention that...
I'm gonna do it then :

Eric : "Hi facebook fans, look at my boyfriend's creation : the new flippers!! Isn't Matt amazing for helping me expanding my business? I'm so lucky to have a boyfriend supporting me.

*whispering* Make no mistake though, I the great Eric, would have thought of that idea too if I weren't so busy creating your tails! Because I'm awesome! "

I totally aagree. I also think photos should only be posted publicly with the mermaids permission or after she has received it. That way if the design is a secret or surprise in some way it is kept secret, also it seems more respectful to the clients feelings to be certain they are ok with it if they are posted before they recieve their tail.

My thoughts exactly. But of course, for him, that would be impossible to stop since he need the publicity from his creations... He may call himself an artist but he's an artist who thinks about money..
I'm pretty sure that Raven and the Finfolks people ask for permission first before showing the tails to Facebook.

[Mermaid Oshun]

I think Raven posts all her new tails before she ships them and I think she has a right to. It is the artist's product and they have a right to show it. After all, the customer can refuse to buy it and it remains the artist's product. It would be wrong for an artist to show a photo of the customer though, bc the customer does not belong to them in any way shape or form.

[Jinx]

I think Raven posts all her new tails before she ships them and I think she has a right to. It is the artist's product and they have a right to show it. After all, the customer can refuse to buy it and it remains the artist's product. It would be wrong for an artist to show a photo of the customer though, bc the customer does not belong to them in any way shape or form.

Don't get me wrong I agree the artist can post the photos. I just think showing the photos should be either after the customer has seen it or with an agreement they can show them before hand so the thrill of a new tail can be fully appreciated after all the artist wouldn't be making the tail without the customer paying for the materials.

[Morticia Mermaid]

Really??! Matt's creations? Of course, he failed to mention that...
I'm gonna do it then :

Eric : "Hi facebook fans, look at my boyfriend's creation : the new flippers!! Isn't Matt amazing for helping me expanding my business? I'm so lucky to have a boyfriend supporting me.

*whispering* Make no mistake though, I the great Eric, would have thought of that idea too if I weren't so busy creating your tails! Because I'm awesome! "

There's no need to be rude. I was sharing information. And also, they have been working together on designs since the end of last year. If people weren't so caught up in bashing Eric, being nasty, and spreading slander they would actually notice that. He's stated on several of the new designs that they were work between him and Matt.

[Mermaid Oshun]

I disagree Jinx. I am an artist and I have the right to show anything I make until it changes hands to a new owner unless a contract is drawn up requesting mutual agreement to other terms beforehand.
And Morticia I agree that there seems to be a sickening amount of Eric bashing on here. I objectively see that Merbella, Finfolk and Mertailor are all talented artists. I see no reason to stage a hatefest on any of these artists. If you don't like Eric for whatever personal reasons then just don't buy from him. However staging a hatefest is not only terribly obvious but also seems pathetic and desperate. If one were not desperate they would not go to such extremes. It starts to cast a negative impression upon the real talents of the competition if they need to resort to such pathetic and lame tactics.