Merbellas Thread

**AniaR** · 03-17-2014, 10:26 PM

So this came up on FB so I'm gonna share it here just so people know, I don't get special treatment for being Raven's friend. I paid full price for my tail, I wait just like all of you, and I actually paid to have my tail taken in and fixed etc. Someone suggested I get special treatment... when in reality Raven has actually done huge insane repairs and adjustments on tails that technically arent covered under warranty and are actually the fault of the mermaid IMO as an "under warranty". I personally feel people have been taking advantage of it considering she is one of the only tail makers who even does that stuff. So yeah. I paid full price for my new tail, I paid for having my splash tail taken in and repainted, and I went right to the end of the list no bumping when I ordered my new tail

and in future (Im sorta saying this in general as to not point people out) you can ask me that stuff instead of speculating on fb FYI

**Ashton** · 03-17-2014, 10:30 PM

I just looked on fb and didn't see anything about slots open. Am I just blind? And why is it up to fb to get spots and not based on when the email inquiry was sent? (Or am I miss understanding something- which is totally possible)

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**Mer-Crazy** · 03-17-2014, 10:37 PM

As far as I know she does run a 'first come first served' kind of thing. It's a bit of a double edged sword with the "order based off when you emailed" kind of thing, I'd guess. I really can't say for certain as I'm not a tail maker but I'd guess that it's primarily because, if she had a line, it would be crazy long. I imagine people would be waiting a year at least, which some have been because they haven't been able to get slots anyway, which is unfair if they've been waiting and waiting and they miss out just because someone beat them to the email. But at the same time if she had a waiting list then there is a big possibility that people may lose interest, go somewhere else, not actually have the funds available when their time comes, change email, not checking emails, the list would go on. Not to mention the THOUSANDS of emails she gets flooded with, I can't imagine trying to reply to all the serious tail inquiries even with just a 'you are now in que to order your tail we will get back to you when a slot becomes open to you' and then to keep track of all those emails and lists. It would do my head in personally. On that note I can't imagine it would be too hard to go 'oh well they haven't responded, I'll move on to the next in line' and take their payment and start their tail.

However it is Raven's business and I think she's successful enough for me to go 'hey she's clearly doing something right' and not question her.

Raina is probably a better person to answer this because she knows what goes on behind the scenes where as I'm just kind of guessing and throwing things out there.

**Ashton** · 03-17-2014, 10:42 PM

Dang, that's a bummer. I still have funds and thought she would eventually respond to my email.

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**AniaR** · 03-17-2014, 10:49 PM

there's literally no way to organize a queue because there are literally 100s and 100s of people who want one. It just always come down to people who are ready to PAY right then. Raven only takes orders when she can and she tries very hard to space them out so people don't get stuck waiting too long so it's a timing thing. MVD is the same way. I know she feels really bad about not being able to take everyone all the time, but she's just one person and can only do what she can do.

The slots were filled, I was chatting with Raven, hence the post being removed.

We caught up a bit. She's been working extra hard to send out update emails etc she's finishing up latest tail orders and working on several tails that people have sent for updates/adjustments all in between mermaid show bookings. We had a good chat about how she's structured things now and she's really found moving to their new house making a huge difference thanks to the space. They feel really good that the extra long waits and gaps are over

**Winged Mermaid** · 03-17-2014, 10:58 PM

Raven doesn't make waiting lists out of emails that are sent when there aren't spots open. Raina posted earlier in this thread that they tried to do that and it was literally hundreds of people long. Even if she takes on 20 tails per 1/4 of the year or per batch, that's 80 a year, so that's a waiting list literally years long.. So this is what they do instead. It sucks, but if they could make a better system I'm sure they could. But Mike did the waiting list thing, and he got so overbooked with his miles long list that he pretty much stopped making tails- besides for Melissa and maybe a couple others in a year. He even said that he would only take orders from select clients and only more well known people (which really pissed a lot of people off). So better having to time your email right rather than that whole thing caving in on Raven and having her stop nearly all together. It's something that's considered a "con" about ordering from Raven.

Really sorry though Ashton. That must be a huge let down

**Ashton** · 03-17-2014, 11:46 PM

oh well, there isn't anything I can do about it sadly.

**AniaR** · 03-18-2014, 08:46 AM

Ashton I missed your posts I'm so sorry! I know she's planning on ebaying more tails in the future that might be the best way.

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**AniaR** · 03-19-2014, 10:17 AM

Ashton can you email raven? I'm trying to pm you and it won't let me. Just send her an email and say you're ashton from the forum Raina mentioned.

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**shimmygoddess** · 03-19-2014, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Winged Mermaid

Raven doesn't make waiting lists out of emails that are sent when there aren't spots open. Raina posted earlier in this thread that they tried to do that and it was literally hundreds of people long. Even if she takes on 20 tails per 1/4 of the year or per batch, that's 80 a year, so that's a waiting list literally years long.. So this is what they do instead. It sucks, but if they could make a better system I'm sure they could. But Mike did the waiting list thing, and he got so overbooked with his miles long list that he pretty much stopped making tails- besides for Melissa and maybe a couple others in a year. He even said that he would only take orders from select clients and only more well known people (which really pissed a lot of people off). So better having to time your email right rather than that whole thing caving in on Raven and having her stop nearly all together. It's something that's considered a "con" about ordering from Raven.

Really sorry though Ashton. That must be a huge let down

I seriously hope Raven doesn't stop all together. I did hear that from someone and it freaked me out

**Mizuko** · 03-19-2014, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by shimmygoddess

I seriously hope Raven doesn't stop all together. I did hear that from someone and it freaked me out

Me too!
I'm praying I can afford another of her tails once my tax return comes in, I would love to finally get a performance tail from her- my neoprene one is perfect but I'd kill for a full silicone one! haha!

**Sirena The Coral Reef Koi** · 03-20-2014, 01:16 AM

Guys I'm so freaking excited

Raven sent me another email with photos of what she had done to my tail and what she has left to do! *flails around* I can't share the pictures yet because she didnt water mark them but omg it's so beautiful it looks like a great white shark but more mermaidy! I can't wait to get the baby!

**MermaidStormy** · 03-20-2014, 04:02 AM

Nawwwwww so excited for you dear <3

**Ariel-Starfish** · 03-20-2014, 04:30 AM

Hey please check out the classifields I'm selling my scale cracers!

**annika** · 03-20-2014, 10:23 AM

If she stops making tails I will die! I don't have a job so I have been selling everything in my house on eBay for a couple of dollars. My dream is to own a performance tail and so far I think I will order I'm the next year or so. Ever since I saw mermaid Iona's unboxing video I knew I needed to have a merbellas tail I have about 1000$ so far and I have been saving for about 6 months. I know I don't post on this thread that often but I wanted to say thank you to my inspirations: mermaid Iona for your unboxing video and rania the Halifax mermaid for your awesome book that I bought! And to all the other mers out there! ❤️

**AniaR** · 03-20-2014, 11:57 AM

I skyped with raven recently and she showed me her workload and omg lol. I had a panic attack. It is really hard to appreciate just how much she does. Shes also working on a bunch that people have sent back for adjustments etc like Thalassa. Just. Wow.

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**Mer-Crazy** · 03-20-2014, 02:25 PM

She is an amazing crazy woman. I have the funds for a performance tail and I'm so excited to get one when the slots open up again. (I'm pretty much always too big for the eBay tails) which is sad but at the same time it's inspiring me to lose some weight so that's good too. I'd still love my 'dream' tail but Raven is honestly so amazing that everything she produces is just magical anyway. It would be a great loss if she were to ever stop making tails. I'm glad she knows her limit and is sticking to it.