Thoughts on Merrowfins? "New" Tailmaker

[Mermaid Alea]

Wow I am soooo glad you got such a nice tail! Congrats!

[VanoraSirene]

Thank you. It's beautiful!

[VanoraSirene]

[kellygracee]

Great photos


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Theobromine]

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.

[UtahMermaidPearl]

Here's a link to their mernetwork review page MerrowFins

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url...9&share_type=t

[kellygracee]

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


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kellygracee]

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


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Lorelei]

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.

[Theobromine]

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.

[kellygracee]

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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[VanoraSirene]

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.

[kellygracee]

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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kellygracee]

testing out the new tails (first swim in the new Merrowfin tails with the Trainers)




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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dancing Fish]

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.

[UtahMermaidPearl]

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

[PearlieMae]

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?

[Mermaid Momo]

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.

[VanoraSirene]

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.

[kellygracee]

Good idea I will ) thank you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk