"Not being mean, but no-one here will want to tattoo you", were some words I was not expecting to hear after trying to book in again at Jolie Rouge. I can honestly say, perhaps naively, that I have never experienced worse customer service in my life.
I first booked in with Charissa at Jolie Rouge - my boyfriend is a friend of a friend of hers and had always talked up her work, so as referrals are always the best way to go when you're going for a new tattoo, I booked in with her. I arranged the appointment for three days after my birthday - it was to be a present from my boyfriend. I was really excited about the designs she might come up with - I was getting my first big piece, based on my love for Josephine Baker. Charissa was really into the idea too.
Unfortunately, I became one of those people who had to cancel. I run my own business and my entire 'life' was on my laptop. A few days before my appointment (definitely more than 48 hours before!) my laptop died, for good. As I had not been able to pay myself that month I knew I could not afford a new laptop, so my boyfriend bought me one. There was no way I could comfortably accept the laptop AND the tattoo (which was going to cost in the region of £400) so I regrettably had to cancel. What then happened was an afternoon of hell. When I called to cancel and explain the ins and outs of why, I was not told 'no' outright, but as the conversation progressed, I was told I could not have my deposit (£50) back. As this was not my cash I argued quite strongly, but in a sane, mannerly fashion, that I needed to get it back. Soon the guy was literally trying to catch me out on what the small print is on the appointment card I had been given. He said Charissa would call me back.
Embarrassingly, I got really upset about the situation. Running your own business is tough enough, and it's even harder when you cannot sort your own financial issues out - dealing with this just really upset me. By the evening I had managed to chill about it and had resolved, after being told by the guy that I could rebook in ANYTIME, that I would call back in 4-6 weeks.
Meanwhile Charissa did call me back, and basically went 'in' on me. I was surprised but too tired to continue the argument.
Yesterday, I called back to book in an appointment for two smaller tattoos - I did not want to waste my boyfriend's deposit. He had said he would talk to Charissa on Facebook as they are friends, but I did not want him to get more involved. So I called and the guy was quite evasive but said he would call back. I said I would happily book in with anyone, I just don't want to lose the deposit.
Today, Rob called me - and I am positive he is the guy I spoke to on the day. However, when I said this he said he wasn't, but yet he knew every detail of the conversation, and also heard Charissa on the phone later that day. He told me over and over that I said 'no' to rebooking - which is CRAZY. I am not wasting anyone's money, ever. Then he said, 'not being mean, but no-one's going to want to tattoo you anyway', which, I don't care where you're from, or what you're used to, is actually pretty mean. He said I've lost the deposit, and for that I am disgusted. So you're a cool tattoo shop that doesn't do things the 'normal' way, but at least have some respect and a professional outlook on how you treat all customers?
He's said that I now need to email Charissa direct, and my boyfriend again wants to contact her, but I just feel sick, to be honest. I wish this could have turned out differently. read more