The Electric Rose has a lot of history for me. It was the first tattoo shop I ever went to, when I was 21. So when I moved back to Olympia at 47, even though the shop was under new ownership, I felt a certain loyalty to it simply because of that nostalgia.
My first experience with the current owner/artist was mostly positive. I sometimes like to have my kids' artwork tattooed on me, and he fit me in, treated me respectfully, and did a decent job reproducing the exact drawing I brought him. The shading came out a little lighter than I would have preferred, but nothing that couldn't have been fixed with a touch-up. I tip over 20% for tattoos.
Because of that experience, I trusted him enough to book a Valentine's couples tattoo for my husband and me. My husband put down a $100 deposit in good faith.
What makes the experience particularly frustrating is that the artist had previously told me about people drinking next door, putting down deposits, and then forgetting about them -- essentially leaving him money for work that never happened. I remember thinking that was unfortunate, but I still trusted him with ours.
My husband spent the weekend before our appointment trying to create the small piece of artwork we wanted to use, but by the evening before the appointment, we still didn't have something we were happy with. I called the shop, left a voicemail, and emailed asking if we could reschedule. I received no response.
Later that day, my husband and I stopped by the shop. I had been drinking and was admittedly tipsy. I don't believe I was loud or disruptive, although I probably lingered for a minute or two talking about rescheduling and made a couple of jokes to the people who happened to be there. The owner verbally agreed that we could reschedule.
Afterward, I emailed to set up an entirely new appointment. No response. I sent a follow-up. Again, no response.
Eventually, when my dog died and I wanted a memorial tattoo, I went somewhere else. Washington Street Tattoo Collective helped me actually develop a finished design from the elements I brought them, charged me less, and did beautiful work.
I'm still out the $100 deposit at Electric Rose, though, and that's what leaves such a bad feeling.
I had loyalty to this shop because of what it represented to me and because it had been part of my life since I was 21. I understand that nostalgia doesn't create an obligation on the part of a new owner. But I do think taking a customer's cash deposit, agreeing in person to reschedule, and then simply not responding to repeated attempts to book another appointment is a poor way to treat a returning customer.
I can acknowledge that the artist did decent work for me previously. I can also acknowledge my own imperfect moment in showing up tipsy that afternoon. But I wish the same basic good faith I extended when handing over $100 had been returned with either a rescheduled appointment, a refund, or at minimum, a response. read more
