Merbellas Thread

[Mermaidmechanic]

Sorry I took your update from you :O you havent been on in a while so I posted it thinking you wouldnt be around to do so. SORRY. <3

Nah, you didn't take my update hahaha you just conveniently did it for me! XD

[Mermaid Lorelei]

(personally I think that's an interesting choice. if you believe so fully you've been wronged enough to make a video, why limit the audience? wouldnt you want everyone to know the tail makers is a scammer?)

Because of the reaction they're being met with right here. Mernetwork has become a place that, instead of helping people feel comfortable enough to make a review or video, cows them into submission and hiding for fear of being flamed.

[Mermaid Whisper]

Okay. I understand the frustration. I'm sure Raven's probably a really great person, and I know she puts a lot of work into those tails. They're all absolutely breathtaking.

I definitely agree that blatant lying is frustrating and wrong. Think of it this way, though: Raven's got hundreds (if not thousands) of people that have, love, and support her work, and I'm sure they all see that the review is a lie after they got the tail of their dreams through her business. She's become such a big tailmaker that this one review really isn't going to make or break her business, you know? I personally love all the tails she puts out and I hope she keeps making them for a long time.

[Mer-Crazy]

Lorelei I apologise if you took my comment seriously it was just a joke like Raina said about past drama I didn't mean anything serious by it.

On that note I did ask for a link to the review to see but none has been supplied and at this point I don't really care anymore. All I have to go on is Raven being very upset because someone gave her an awful review and Raina whom I know to always be an exceptionally honest person saying it's full of lies. I like to think of Raven as my friend and I don't like it when people lie about and upset my friends.

[Mizuko]

I apologize if my comment was upsetting in anyway too- I think because we've got Raven on facebook we've seen how devastated she's been about this and I'm reacting to that more than anything.

[AniaR]

Because of the reaction they're being met with right here. Mernetwork has become a place that, instead of helping people feel comfortable enough to make a review or video, cows them into submission and hiding for fear of being flamed.

which is why the actual review section doesnt allow comments. So people can post truthful reviews. But also why it requires proof of said reviews too.

And I think an angry reaction is appropriate when people are lying. Honestly. It's no different than when tail makers would lie all over the place

[Mermaid Lunette]

I know this has to do with raven, but it seems less about merbella and merbella products and a bit more like drama? Maybe this belongs in the drama thread instead?

[Winged Mermaid]

The video review in question has 1.1K views so far, so I have a feeling many of you have seen it.
Myself and other mods have gotten screen shots, provided by Raven, and can support the claims that are being made about this customer being untruthful about the details of her product and ordering process. Raven herself may chose to release these screen shots, but if not, at least for now I can say that there is actual proof to back this up.

[Mermaid Whisper]

Thank you, Iona! I wasn't sure about the whole thing.

Even so, it's just one person, and not even a famous one at that, I imagine. Raven has beautiful work, and those who continue to support her despite this review are the only ones she really needs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AniaR]

It makes me sad that with Raven's stellar reputation so much effort has to go into clearing her name, and that so many would choose to believe the worst of her on FB. I appreciate when people don't like it when I stand up for her here, but I have watched my friend get trampled on time and time again, and I see that behaviour extending to other tail makers too. (lots of hateful comments toward finfolk in that video comments section too)

Raven's wait times are long. That's about it. Most people who have any complaint about her will tell you she offered to fix it, but they didn't want to ship their tails back. Raven was one of the first tail makers to stand up in the face of everything mertailor was doing and say no, that isn't how things can be done, I can do better, and our whole community changed for it. I know it's harder for newbies to see it but for those of us who have been around so long.

Raven sent this person a tail, to the measurements they were given, from a design they approved, with 3 extra gifts (bracer, scale heart, and hair clip). The person complained about the GIFTS while also claiming no gifts were sent. Critiquing the scale hearts (which are all just made from recycles pieces that she paints to match your tail as a way to give people a nice favour and cut down on waste). Claims she photo shopped the tail pictures (what would be the point of that, knowing the client would just freak out about "flaws") The tail was sent a little over a year, for far less money than she claims. (even less than what she adjusted her claim to).

I guess I just don't get why people would believe that to begin with. Why seeing a "review" like that wouldn't instantly raise flags. If Raven wanted to rip people off with cheap tails she'd be making factory ones with no customization or crazy designs or paint schemes. What does she gave to gain by making a tail for someone that beautiful, throwing in all these extra gifts, and then apparently intentionally sabotaging the tail???

I hope Raven does post her whole side with all her proof, but I also hope she tells everyone a good long list of the horrible things she's endured from people in the community, in order to make tails for them. I am not even talking about the multiple hospital visits for wearing herself out or toxicity from the materials curing. I mean all the straight up abuse that I always have to fight so hard to hold my tongue on. I hope it all just finally comes out and people start seeing tail makers as human beings.

/rant

[Little_Orca]

On an unrelated note, I am loving the look f the double pectoral fins and I am glad Raven included those in my design. I am having a mixed emotional cocktail right now of joy, excitement, attempts at patience, patience, and fear.

[Lotus the Mermaid]

I just want to recommend to anyone who's only seen one side of this review scandal to go look at the video as it's apparently been downloaded and plastered all over the internet.

You should be ashamed of yourselves, those who have spread this around and thrown your accusations over ONE negative Merbella review. Raven has taken her personal emails and receipts and shared them with those unrelated to the purchase or even legal case. It was never meant to be public and now, it is. The mer said several times in her video that she has nothing but respect for Raven and that this is just her OWN experience. She felt jilted, and after dreaming and waiting for so long, and spending $3,000 on a tail, anyone would. She has a right as a customer to post her review of the item she purchased. Everything negative she stated about her tail, she immediately backed up by pointing it out on the actual tail. I've lost all respect for Merbella and even her personal assistant whom I really had high hopes for, but who encouraged legal action because Merbella is the only reason she's famous. Anything negative reflecting on Raven she immediately feels reflects on her. I'm posting this here instead of the Drama thread, because apparently even Iona doesn't care anymore as long as certain mers post. This website is a joke. Any of you can say whatever you want of me. I can't have a lower opinion of those who would try to tarnish my reputation as you have attempted to do to this sweet mer. If I'm blocked or this is deleted because I'm not Raina and don't have the same privileges, so be it. I couldn't have a lower opinion of this site either. Good luck with your careers, as you obviously need more to do.

Sincerely,
Lotus

[Mermaid Kelda]

Christ on a bike, I can't keep up with all of this :|

[Theobromine]

I normally keep my opinions to myself when it comes to drama as I don't enjoy being involved, but I also believe in standing up for what's right and calling out injustice where I see it, and I have to say that I am completely and utterly appalled at the abusive behavior I have seen on display here.

First of all, I HAVE watched the review video and I have seen the tail's flaws for myself. It is very clear that none of the people on here jumping on the "omg poor innocent Raven, what a horrible thing to lie about!!" bandwagon have NOT actually watched the video or you wouldn't be singing this tune. Do any of you people actually even think for yourselves anymore? Or are you just so blind in your idolatry of Raven that you automatically assume, along with Raven's personal attack dog Raina, that anyone who posts a less than stellar review of a Merbellas tail MUST be a liar? Really, that's a legitimate question, because I'm dumbfounded by the thought processes (or lack thereof) going on here. Did any of you actually stop and THINK about the lack of actual evidence and that you're simply taking the accusations that Raina is tossing around on blind faith? Raina, who is known to be not only Raven's bff but her most ardent supporter who has repeatedly gone out of her way to make personal attacks on anyone who even suggests that Raven is anything less than a perfect miraculous amazing magical wonderful goddess? In fact, she's not even the only one who acts that way on here; I've seen more people than I can even shake a stick at describe Raven unironically as a goddess. Do any of you even realize how that makes you sound just like bleating sheep? Is it REALLY so difficult for people to accept that no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes, or are we really living in THAT much of a fantasy land?

Before you get all huffy at me, check yourselves, and (since Raina has already spread it all around the internet without permission) WATCH THE REVIEW VIDEO. Then try forming your own goddamn opinions for once. Because let me tell you, that tail is unbelievably horrible. It's not just about the paint scraping off after the first swim or all four ankle fins tearing even though the tail's owner is extremely careful with it. Every single one of the seams on that tail is hideous beyond belief. It doesn't take a genius to see how gloppy and sloppy the seams are, and how the paint job COVERS the sloppy silicone that's globbed between the scales, which should make it obvious to anyone who's not a complete idiot that the tail was constructed poorly. You don't get seams like that from "not knowing how to use a silicone tail properly". That is some hilarious bullshit and I hope anyone who actually believed that nonsense is really ashamed of themselves right now. ALL of the tail's flaws were specifically pointed out in the video so that anyone who watches it can see them. And even though the tail's owner was incredibly disappointed and heartbroken over the state of her dream tail, she made sure to point out SEVERAL times that she was not attacking Raven and that she thought Raven herself was a sweet person. She was simply pointing out the FACTS of her tail being extremely badly constructed.

And while we're on the subject of reviews, IT IS NOT A CRIME TO POST A NEGATIVE REVIEW OF A PRODUCT YOU HAVE PURCHASED. A person with a negative experience has just as much right to post a review as anyone else so that other people can be fully informed and make their own decisions. That. Is. The. Point. Of. Reviews. You don't go around doxxing and harassing people for posting negative reviews on Amazon. Or Yelp. Or Google. Or anywhere else. That is extremely petty, and really just suggests that you feel so threatened by people exposing your flaws that you're desperate to hide them rather than actually address them and try to fix them. You know who THAT reminds me of? Mertailor. You know, the guy who's notorious for covering up his shitty products and shitty customer service by deleting negative comments, bullying reviewers, and hurling accusations at customers rather than take one iota of responsibility for his mistakes. Congratulations everyone, you are enabling this exact same type of behavior and becoming the exact same type of fanclub that you all love to hate on so much.

And while we're on the subject of terrible behavior, did you guys even catch the part where Raina SENT CONFIDENTIAL CUSTOMER FINANCIAL INFORMATION SUCH AS INVOICES AND SENT THEM TO THE MERNETWORK MODERATORS?! Do ANY of you even have the slightest concept of what an enormous breach of privacy that is?? That's not only unethical, it's fucking ILLEGAL. Posting a negative review is never going to be grounds for legal action, but leaking confidential information sure as hell is. It also displays ZERO integrity on the part of either Raina, or Raven (who obviously felt it was appropriate to share that information with Raina in the first place). I personally have lost literally all respect I have ever had for either of them. I sure as hell would never EVER feel comfortable ordering a single thing from Raven, knowing that she is so cavalier about customer confidentiality. If I'm going to send thousands of dollars to someone I would want to feel COMPLETELY confident in the fact that they'd keep my private financial information PRIVATE. Jesus fucking christ, what a concept. Seriously. And if that wasn't enough, this is not even the first time that Raina and Raven have leaked a customer's private information for their own personal agendas. Do any of you remember the thread in which Mermaid Alexis was trying to sell her old partial Merbellas tail? Raina pulled the exact same thing on her, which she has as little right to do then as now. Most people in that thread even called her out on it, but she persisted and persisted and refused to see that she was being unethical and just plain mean. Many people in this thread just within the past day or two have commented that they've never seen any other negative Merbella reviews. Well, WHY do you think that is? Because not only do they get questioned, they get full-on attacked. I have multiple personal friends who have had very disappointing experiences dealing with Raven and getting poor quality products, and none of them feel comfortable even speaking up about it. People are literally afraid to speak up about their own experiences because they know they will get attacked. I predicted this would happen with this new review video, and lo and behold, it did. But you guys seriously think that just because you haven't SEEN any other negative reviews here before, that they're actually impossible? Well done, guys, you've advanced to Mertailor-level logic skills. *slow clap*

And while we're on the subject of terrible people, Raina clearly thinks it's acceptable to abuse people and misuse confidential information for her own personal vendettas, yet she is VERY outspoken when she perceives anyone else possibly doing the same. She is, in fact, one of the most hypocritical people I have ever encountered in my entire life and that's saying a lot. I have seen her bully people over and over and over again. She refuses to ever admit to any wrongdoing (though she pretends she does), she acts extremely superior towards almost everyone else (including anyone who has been registered on the forum for less time than she has). She is snarky and passive-aggressive and manipulative and she misrepresents facts and twist people's words to suit her own agenda. I've sat back and watched this go on for long enough, biting my tongue because I didn't want to stir things up, but I am completely fed up at this point. I am sick and tired of having to watch her abuse people and yet still have this huge army of people who eat up her every word without even bothering to take a step back and consider what she's actually saying. If you actually sit down and parse most of Raina's rants and bitches, none of her statements even make any sense. For example, she stampedes in here trumpeting that the video review in question was LIES, ALL LIES, yet she presents no actual evidence to support her claims. But everyone still automatically believes her, WHY? You didn't think that maybe it's actually Raven or Raina who are lying? That just because Raina is way more well-known around here than the other mermaid, she HAS to be the one telling the truth? News flash, it doesn't work that way. Also, the mermaid in question doesn't come on this forum not only because of the negative attitudes, SHE HAS A BUSINESS TO RUN. I always see Raina bleating about what a successful, famous, busy mermaid she is, yet she has always been one of the most active posters on this forum. I guess she just has nothing better to do than pick fights with other people. I really think that's a sign of extreme insecurity, honestly. It's sad. I'd continue to keep my opinions of her to myself if it weren't for the fact that her attitudes have been getting more and more toxic, and her behavior has gotten more and more destructive. She has alienated and driven away many of the best people and cowed the rest into submission and I just can't take it any longer. She has driven away some of her most supportive and understanding friends. I'm still astounded that so many people continue to be taken in by her, honestly. You have to be seriously obtuse not to notice just how destructive Raina is. She seems to just have this pathological need to tear other people down and I can't stand by and watch it happen. And Iona, I love you, but you have a serious blind spot where Raina is concerned. It's one thing to stand up for your friends, it's another thing to enable their terrible behavior. I would rather call people out on their shit rather than condone actions that hurt other people and weaken my community.

This community is no longer the positive, fun, supportive place I knew it to be. This forum has devolved into a mire of negativity, misinformation, and vitriol. It's fucking depressing and it makes me miserable. I've tried to stick around as long as I could stand to, but I'm completely drained from even trying to think about how to approach the shit that goes on here. Stubbornness and ignorance seem to be everyone's preferred methods of interaction, and I'm just completely disgusted by all of it. I think all of you who actually know me know that I do not hurl accusations around lightly, and that I DO sit back and observe and analyze all of the information before I make any rash decisions or statements. Well, this bullshit has pushed me to the brink. And not just me. Mermaid Lorelei, the most active and conscientious mod we've had in ages, literally just quit the forum over this. Congratulations everyone, you just drove away one of the most level-headed, intelligent, balanced, caring people I know. I hope you're all super proud of yourselves.

On that note, after seeing all this bullshit I had also decided to quit the forum. It was a hard decision at first but after spending the entire day agonizing about the state of things here, I realized I would be far happier leaving this place behind. I just wanted to make my last stand, for something I believe in: integrity. Anyway, if I have pissed anyone (or everyone) off, please feel free to ban/block/delete/whine about me because I literally give zero fucks anymore.

Bye!

[AniaR]

The mermaid in question's friends have now started attacking my business as retribution, leaving fake reviews. Since they threatened me in the comments, I shouldn't be surprised.



Let see I stick to discreet facts, but sure, fight dirty, why not?

To those saying the sharing of information is wrong:

It is not illegal for a company to share any of their information at their discretion for the purpose of consulting, contracting, risk management, mentoring, or legal reasons. Dealing with a slanderous video is considered rick management,and only two admins were shown anything (not even the entirety either- only what Merbella's deemed necessary). While it’s not common knowledge I still help Merbellas out from time to time with their communication including drafting emails and information updates and as a contractor I have legal access to information and with written permission yes, I can legally share it. It’s literally in standard non-compete and standard business NDAs. I know this not just from working with them, but because I pay a lawyer a lot of money to manage what I share with my contractors as well and where that information goes. This isn’t a doctor’s office, there is no presumed client, tail maker confidentiality beyond the usual don’t give up someone’s credit card number. Most tail makers choose to keep information to themselves but when the client decides to slander them/libel them, it is fairly standard in most industries to provide evidence to counter it. No one seemed to have any issue with this when people were posting communications and information with mertailor. But again, nothing was posted. Merely provided to two mods for Mernetwork’s liability, and Merbellas risk management.

Mernetwork has always operated under the policy that when drama hits, you give your evidence with the understanding it will not be posted and only used under discretion to the mods/admin. That is standard and also gives mernetwork a safety net whenever anyone tries to come after the forum for slander/libel and also allows mernetwork to decide what risks to take in terms of what statements they allow to remain on the forum, if they should lock something, or if they should flat out remove it. Raven rarely is proactive when people slander her, she usually lets it go. But the claims in this video were so outrageous they felt it damaging to their company. Raven plans on making her own statement with her evidence on mernetwork, but originally due to her anxiety was not prepared to do that, hence why she delegated it to me to send to the mods

I'd be getting told of if I claimed these things and didn't give a mod proof.

I think it's really telling that the diversion tactic here is let's change the discussion to how we shouldn't be talking about this, instead of the fact someone is lying to extort someone else. Let's change this to pick apart someone else but totally ignore the actual law breaking going on (defamation).

If this was a mertailor situation, if he was lying about a client and the client was posting everything they had to argue him, you'd all be cheering.

Raina clearly thinks it's acceptable to abuse people and misuse confidential information for her own personal vendettas,

I have abused no one, I have no personal vendetta against this person.

even her personal assistant whom I really had high hopes for, but who encouraged legal action because Merbella is the only reason she's famous

LOL really? Gee I guess it wouldnt have anything to do with all the stuff I've done.


This is just sad you all have taken the bait. This is what happens, someone speaks out about lies, and instead of addressing said lies, you just try to discredit the one posting the truth. So maybe people will ignore the truth right? If you sling enough mud they wont be able to see it?

It all comes out in the end folks. Save face when it does.


I've pointed out the parts of the review that are lies. If that bothers you, you should look at the person making the lies.


PS it's not a crime to post a bad review, it's a crime to post one where you lie. Famously, people sue yelp reviewers all the time.

I also see the mermaid in question retracted a bunch of her statements after the fact (beig held accountable) and that someone else is pretending Im texting them from Canada to harass- a person known for making fake text screen shots. It costs so much money to text from Canada (though it's a cali area code) lol why would I bother with that? Why would I need to go to such lengths when the truth is already known?

It's kinda hilarious at this point TBH. I stick to facts- verified to be true, I didn't bring it to the forum. No name calling. I didn't link the video here, or post screen caps or anything. Just posted that it's untrue. But that justifies harassing my business page, name calling against me here, attacks against Iona too...

do you guys not see how F upped that is? I hope it's all worth it when you see the truth in the end. When you realize the people you aligned yourself with are only keeping you around for stuff like this, and then you get thrown under the bus. When the truth all comes out because it always does and I'm always still swimming, and I never regret standing up for what's right. No matter how many insults you throw at me, childish as they are.

[Starfrit]

Okay, so I commented from my phone and I guess the comment got deleted somehow, so let's try this again from my laptop and see if that'll work.

I was withholding judgement on the whole situation until I saw the evidence for myself, but seriously-- letting her friends threaten Raina with physical violence before Raina had even done anything? Letting them post fake reviews and attack her business when she didn't keep quiet?

I don't care who you are, that's bullshit whether you're "innocent" or not.

People are trying to tear Raina apart for "bullying" this mystery reviewer... But these same people have nothing to say about the reviewer siccing her friends on her to attack and THREATEN Raina and her business? Who's the "bully" here, really?

I trust Raina. She doesn't come out at people like this unless she has solid evidence-- that's always been the case since I've known her, so although I haven't seen the evidence from this particular incident myself, I'm willing to believe her and back her up. Raina has done nothing wrong here-- Handing screencaps of receipts and correspondences and whatever else to a small handful of people, privately, to back up claims or defend someone is neither "doxxing" nor illegal. It's also interesting that people are bitching about it being handled this way, whereas if Raven and Raina didn't share any of it for fear of being accused of this, they'd then be accused of lying because "they can't provide proof."

It's a bloody double-standard, and everyone with an ounce of sense knows it. Like Raina said-- nobody would be losing their minds over this if it involved outing someone they didn't like, like Mertailor or anybody else. But for some reason, people are freaking out because she's ~*slandering*~ this whoever-the-hell.

Certain people need to sit themselves down, Jesus. This crap is why a lot of the older crowd don't bother with the forums anymore.

[SeaGlass Siren]

^ I share the same sentiment that Tieri does.

[shimmygoddess]

I had a whole post, but deleted it, buecause Tieri said it best. LOL. I will say that leaving negative reviews on someones page to be hateful is an asshole move! I had some woman, whom I don't know and lives in a different country review my photography page as a 1. They were in a relationship with a photographer in this community so I think she had an ulterior motive by doing this.

[Mer-Crazy]

I just wanna say to everyone who keeps saying 'watch the video' maybe post a link so I can maybe? I still can't find this thing haha. Then again I'm not really all that involved in mermaid stuff outside of the forum so I usually miss the drama there haha.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[TheSaltySiren]

Exactly! Someone needs to post the video or a link so others can watch it and have a fair opinion. I for the life of me cannot find it anywhere.