I debated for quite a while whether to write this review, but after seeing someone ask for piercing…read morerecommendations in a military community group, I felt it was important to share my experience accurately.
I was originally pierced at this shop two weeks before my follow-up visit. My initial appointment was wonderful, the piercer was kind, informative, and patient, and she gave me time to mentally regroup between piercings rather than rushing me.
Unfortunately, the jewelry was embedding into my skin. I had already tried replacing it with jewelry purchased from another piercing shop because I believed that barbell would be longer, but it was not, and the problem continued.
When I returned, Arianna asked several questions about when and where I had been pierced, what jewelry I was wearing, whether it came from their shop, and whether I had brought replacement jewelry. I explained everything and told her I planned to purchase a longer barbell for the left side. I was quoted $16.
Sandy then took me to the back, asked about my allergies, and examined the piercing. After I repeated the same information, she removed the existing barbell and temporarily placed a slightly bent metal guide into the piercing while she retrieved replacement jewelry. She brought back two options, one appeared to be the same length as what I already had, while the other was slightly longer. I told her I was willing to purchase an even longer option if necessary, but she said nothing longer was available and believed the second option would work. Thankfully, it did.
What concerned me was the way the jewelry was installed. While attaching the ball on the outside, Sandy rotated the barbell from inside the already inflamed piercing. It was extremely uncomfortable, and I verbally expressed that it hurt. She adjusted her technique afterward, but I was upset that an irritated piercing was handled that way in the first place.
After thanking her, I returned to the counter and was told my total was $37 and change, not the $16 I had been quoted. When I questioned the difference, Arianna checked with Sandy and then explained that the balls on the ends were being charged separately. I had not been told beforehand that the barbell and its ends would be priced as separate components. In my previous experiences, including a $21 purchase from another shop that same weekend, the price included the complete piece of jewelry.
When I pointed out that the full cost had not been disclosed, the response felt dismissive rather than understanding. I was essentially told that was simply how the pricing worked and asked whether I wanted the jewelry removed. When I also mentioned that the installation had felt rough, Sandy smiled and said, "Sorry," but the interaction did not feel sincere or reassuring.
I understand that body jewelry can be priced by individual components. My concern is that I specifically asked what I would be paying, was quoted $16, and was not told until afterward that the actual total would be more than twice that amount. Between the unexpected charge, the physically uncomfortable jewelry change, and the dismissive response when I raised my concerns, I left feeling misled and deeply uncomfortable. Although my initial piercer was wonderful, I would not recommend Sandy based on my follow-up experience.
