I went to Rebel Muse Tattoo on Saturday, November 23, 2019 for a scheduled consultation. I spoke with tattoo artist Robert Hornback. My goal was to get my tummy scar covered. Robert assured me he could do this and give me exactly what I wanted. I showed him a picture of what I wanted, and he took me for a consultation and to get a picture of my stomach. He informed me that that his cost was $250 an hour and the tattoo would take no more than 3-4 hours. I was told there would be an initial deposit of $200 that was due immediately and would be applied towards the final cost once the tattoo was complete. The earliest he could schedule me for the tattoo was on Tuesday, April 21,2020 at 10:30 AM. I paid the $200 deposit and scheduled my appointment for April 21, 2020.
On April 1, 2020 I received an email from Robert informing me the shop was officially closed due to COVID 19 and I would have to reschedule my originally scheduled appointment to July or September. I rescheduled my appointed for Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 10:30 AM.
I arrived at the tattoo shop at 10:20 AM for my scheduled appointment on Saturday September 5, at 10:30 AM. I was greeted by Robert who had no sketch drawn out of the tattoo as we discussed at the time of my initial consultation. I once again shared with Robert what I wanted and showed him the area on my stomach that was to be covered. He proceeded to the backroom to draw the tattoo and reappeared at 1 PM. He showed me something completely different from what I initially asked for, but I hesitantly agreed to it along with my color choices. At 1:36 PM we began the tattoo session. 2 hours into the session a female coworker comes up to Robert and invites him to lunch with her. He agrees to attend lunch with his coworker and stops the appointment. After 1.5hr lunch he returns and apologizes for his tardiness and continues the tattoo session. After hours pass, I begin to panic because I realize it will take a lot more time to complete. At this point, it is now after 5 PM. I ask Robert if he will be able to complete my tattoo with the coloring. He advises me he will try and then proceeds to rush to finish. After an hour the manager approaches Robert and asks him how much longer it will be before he finishes. Robert proceeds to tattooing. After a short period and with no color and incomplete outlining, he informed me that "we're done for the day." At 7:30 PM I proceed to the checkout counter. Robert then stated, "the cost for today is $2,000." I was flabbergasted! I said "$2,000? You started after 1:30 PM because you did not have the sketch completed when I arrived. Then you and your female coworker took a 1-and-a-half-hour lunch break. To top it off the tattoo is not even complete and there is no color. You told me the tattoo would take approximately 3-4 hours, so I was expecting to pay no less than $750.00, including the $200 deposit." The manager was next to the register with Robert while I was expressing my frustration on the cost and lack of professionalism. I looked to him to step in and he was quiet with his head down the entire time. Robert said, "I am sorry but the cost for today is $2,000." I contemplated not paying but I felt intimidated being a female in the presence of two males, alone. I asked him how many hours he would need to complete the tattoo; he stated no more than 3 hours total. He stated the cost would be at $250.00 an hour. I could not even breathe when I was told the cost but felt bullied into paying the $2000 surprise bill. I went ahead and paid it knowing that I would dispute this with my credit card company. I went to my car in tears because I felt I had been taken advantage of and lied to.
$2200 later and I still have an unfinished tattoo with no color, I will have to spend more money out of pocket to get the tattoo completed and colored.
Here is a pic of what the tattoo looks like. This in no way, shape, form, or fashion represents me or what I find acceptable or the work portrayed on Robert's social media platform. read more