I went here at the suggestion of a friend. She said there was only one male tattoo artist, the owner and he had done a large piece for her that I admired. My sister-in-law accompanied me as I was paying for her first tattoo for her birthday.
Being it was my first tattoo, I was quite nervous. I was a little confused when there were two male artists working but I had requested the owner so it didn't matter. Or so I thought! He pushed us off on his "friend" and new artist Conrad, whom he assured us was only new to the shop, not tattooing. I assumed he would only hire a professional.
Unfortunately, assuming was a terrible mistake! The guy seemed a little shaky and in a rush. I shouldn't have stayed when I noticed him acting a little spacey or after his extended pre-appointment bathroom break but I didn't want to jump to conclusions. I was irritated when he refused to put our husbands initials in the hearts as we requested but he said he thought it would bring the shop bad karma or some paranoid mess like that so how could I demand it? My mistake, this is something I am paying to have on my body for life so it should have been done as I requested but I didn't assert myself. When my sister-in-law was done, we didn't love it but he assured us it would look better when it healed. I should have left then.
I can't say whether it was because I prepaid or if it was a sense of duty since I had chosen this mistake and she went first but I went ahead with it. Conrad was nodding by this point so it should be no shock that mine turned out as horrible as hers but mine ended up slightly worse in that my design had atrociously executed shading that hers lacked. The lettering and hearts he downloaded shouldn't have been that difficult.
I paid almost $200 and tipped the minimum 10% I give any service person, even if they suck, because I feel it's mandatory. He didn't even thank me. I continue to apologize to my sister-in-law because they are fully healed but no better. Fuzzy lines, awful shading, uneven lettering and not even completed as we requested. I'm truly ashamed of what looks like a homemade junkie mess. It's completely my fault but horrifying anyway.
AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS! read more
