Some people...

Recently I've been pondering what my next blog should be, or more accurately what I should bitch about next. And this problem has risen to the top of the most recent complaints I have. So let me fill you in, I have a client, whose identity will be hidden, that has come in and gotten work done by me and liked the work they have come back for more. This client never wants to make an appointment only wants me to keep them updated if I have any cancellations they can fill and when I do they are never able to fill them. Recently they made an appointment to get a matching tattoo that I did on their other wrist. On the day of the appointment they changed their mind completely and I had to free hand a design right on their wrist. The client being a return customer paid using a promotional 30% off coupon which is no big deal and if you haven't signed up for the monthly Dynasty News Letter you totally should as it can save you mad cash. With the discount the total was about $54, the client only had a hundred dollar bill and $53 dollars if my memory serves correct. I gave them 5 $20 bills for the hundred but didn't have change as they were my first client. Seeing that I was having trouble finding the correct change they offered up the $53 if I was willing to eat the dollar shortage. And that is what I did. Its much easier to lose $1 then to scramble around for change. They thanked me and left. Now I'm not all about tipping your tattoo artist but, it's always nice and given the fact that they not only got a discount but were given 5 $20's and I let them slide on a dollar I would not have been upset to get a tip. But hey that's how it goes sometimes, and I've always said that a good recommendation is better then a tip any day.

Then I received this message on Facebook.

• Client
  

  
  

  Hey after looking at this tat I hate to complain but can you fix the "shadow" it look like it belongs can you trace it to make it look like the brown part of bracelet? I'm so sorry
• 

  12:19pm

  Scott Terry
  

  
  

  Sure let it heal and ill fix it
• 
  

  12:20pm

  Client
  

  
  

  Ty will it cost me anything?
• 

  12:34pm

  Scott Terry
  

  
  

  Nope

  Tues march 12 2pm
• 12:36pm

  Client
  

  
  

  Ok

  Thanks again, just know I love it except for that part
  
  Even though this client shorted me a dollar and the part of the tattoo they wanted "fixed" wasn't anything wrong with the tattoo but something they didn't like the look of it is always my first reaction to make the client happy and why charge them? I'd rather the client be happy. So I scheduled them and got them in "fixed" the area they didn't like and darkened up a few things. And as I promised I didn't charge them a dime. Again, no tip was offered and neither was the dollar they shorted me on the initial tattoo.I'd like to take this time to mention also that while I was tattooing them they were talking to someone else in the room and bad mouthing other local studios they had gotten work from calling the artists "assholes".
• Tuesday
• 
  

  6:41pm

  Client
  

  
  

  I hate to contact you again, but, the correction you did to my worst tat...the color didn't seem to take, it's very light...
• Tuesday
• 
  

  10:15pm

  Client
  

  
  

  Wrist tat*
• Wednesday
• 
  

  3:10pm

  Client
  

  
  

  So, did my typo piss u off? Lol I'm not trying to be a chronic complainer and believe me if it was something I could just live with I would but honestly it doesn't look good...
  
  She sends me a picture of a horribly faded tattoo.
• Thursday
• 

  8:28am

  Scott Terry
  

  
  

  Wow it really shouldn't look like that I would have to say that maybe my aftercare wasn't followed. I'd be happy to touch it up but since I've done so once already I'll have to charge you the shop minimum, $60. Stop in whenever and drop off your $50 deposit and fyi I'm booked up about two weeks so if you want to get in I'd do it rather soon.
• 
  

  8:33am

  Client
  

  
  

  Seriously I did everything I was suppose to do and I have to pay??? That's not really very fair. I paid in full for this tat and not by any fault of my own the color didn't take, I'm sorry but I'm not willing to put out any more money its not fair
• Thursday
• 

  12:47pm

  Scott Terry
  

  
  

  You didn't pay in full... you actually shorted me a dollar.
• 

  1:21pm

  Scott Terry
  

  
  

  And technically feet and hands aren't covered under our free touch ups but I've done it once already. So its not fair for me to first not get paid in full then do not one but two touch ups for free using my supplies that I'm not being reimbursed for.
• 
  

  3:57pm

  Client
  

  
  

  Oh I'm sorry I didn't get that memo I thought people stood behind their work... Thanks anyway I guess I'll just have to live with it!

  Thanks !
• 

  4:16pm

  Scott Terry
  

  
  

  The skin on the hands and feet differ from other parts of the body and much like fingers and lips studios don't offer the same gaurantee we offer on say an arm. I've never said we don't stand behind our work or that i wouldnt help you. But I will have to charge you.
• 
  

  4:55pm

  Client
  

  
  

  How is charging me $60 (shop minimum) helping me out? Unless with that $60.00 minimum you add something to it for me...
• Today
• 
  

  7:41am

  Client
  

  
  

  I've been thinking about your explanation and you really should tell people upon getting these types of tats about your "no guarantee" because if I had know I may have thought twice about getting It on my wrist, telling me once the problem occurred was kinda a moot point. Believe me, I'm only disputing this with you because I honestly do believe I'm right, I understand your point as well however, why should I have to pay for something that was in no way my fault? I mean really Scott...the bow you did on my other wrist came out beautifully and is my favorite tattoo which is what made me choose you to do another for me and what made me recommend you to a few of my friends. If you are going to stand firm about charging me then I guess this will just have to be a lesson learned on my behalf but if that is going to be the case when someone looks at this tat and comments on the flaw I will have to be honest with them and also, not that it would really matter to you I'm sure, find another tattoo shop to have any further tats done...
• 

  8:19am

  Scott Terry
  

  
  

  And good morning to you too. I have offered a solution, one that isn't satisfactory to you. I am sure that before I did your other tattoo I told you of the issues associated with tattooing the backs of hands as I am pretty on point with being brutally honest with people about size and location of tattoos that could effect their longevity. I don't believe that the price you paid for the original tattoo (which you did short me a dollar) was outrageous in fact is was most likely less then I'd charge someone else because you have been a return client of mine. I've already done one touch up for free and will gladly darken the tattoo for an additional studio minimum which I think is extremely fair given the circumstances. I'm sorry if you feel as though I'm not doing enough and if you choose to go to another studio then I'm sorry you feel this way but wish you the best of luck.
• 
  

  8:29am

  Client
  

  
  

  I will be sure to have that dollar to you as soon as possible!
  
  
  So this is where the situation stands. This blog was not written in any attempt to exacerbate this situation. I merely wanted the facts known. Every attempt at hiding this individuals identity has been taken. The only changes that were made were the removal of any pictures and names. I've tried to be professional and resolve the situation. I never want someone to be unhappy with something I did on their body. That feeling sucks. However, I do feel the need to report the facts when someone feels as though I've done them wrong. This is a business and my equipment and my time are worth something. I don't think the studio minimum of $60 is too much to pay since this person has already had one free session. At this point I feel as though I've remained professional but you can not always make people happy unless you give them everything for free and even then who knows... So once again, a BIG thank you to all of my amazing clients who support me and my work. I love my job and its you that make me happy to come in and do what I do daily. Take care folks and thanks for reading.

Newtons Third Law....

I've been trying to keep a positive mood as of late because who wants to walk around miserable all the time? But its funny just how irritated I get when I see somebody hacking away in their house with a "gun" "tattin" up their friends for their hard earned money. Usually these tattoos suck ass and I guess people are just uneducated in knowing what a decent tattoo looks like or they just don't care. I just don't understand, people will shell out all kinds of cash for some stupid pair of sneakers they will wear for one summer, get dirty and throw out but the shitty looking tattoo on their arm for life is cool. Hahaha what is it? Poorly done "jail house "tats" don't make you look cool or give you street cred, they make you look cheep and stupid hahaha.

I see bad tattoos every day. All one has to do is leave their house and you'll be confronted by plenty of people rocking some ridiculous blown out, horribly shaded neck tattoo or hand tattoo. Not even subtlety hidden but out there in the open proclaiming their lack of intelligence for the world to see. But what REALLY gets me is when people who know and witness the kind of work me and my co-workers produce they will blatantly post stupid status's like this...

Tom Majuri Got my neck tatted last night through this morning. It sucked but so worth it. Pic coming soon

Top of Form

Mike Stormswho u gettin to do ur tatts now

 Tom Majuri My boy max. He did 6 of mine already. Cheap but good

 Mike Stormsyea like how cheap cuz i have a few ideas

Tom MajuriThe first 3-5 maybe

Mike Stormshuh

Eric Morley-Wolbert he did a piece on me and it turned out real good

 Tom MajuriThe first couple tats were under 20 but they go up the more he does them. Like 30 to 40 bux

Jimmy Leather weres the pic dude

 Tom Majuritrying to get it up. relax

Jimmy Leather K

Tom Majuriwhats ur cell, ill send it to you

Jimmy Leather ‎xxx-xxx-xxxx

And you know whats funny? Tom Majuri NEVER posted the pictures of the tattoo! Hahaha probably because he knew it sucked, but that's what you get for spending $20 right lol. Maybe he will be lucky enough to get a really good disease! Then he can whine how he got Hepatitis and how horrible his life is hahaha. Here is another one...

 Shawn Faure My boy that's stayin wit me does tatts. He's good and works cheap. Go on my page u can see the shit he just did on me. Let me know if u want me to hook u up.

 Brian Hagan My brother dose em but let me know what's good

Whats good? Not that tattoo! I even asked which studio this guy works at and was never answered, gee really hahaha. How about this woman? She actually ran a studio and now works outta her house! Yep thats right, and she is posting these amazing pictures right on facebook.

Oh yeah!

Some of the amazing work you can plan on getting from this kitchen magician...

With all of the information out there, the specials and discounts studios run to help save you money why would you seriously get a piece of crap like this? Or risk getting s disease?! I personally think this picture that I also saw on facebook speaks volumes....

 Hahaha very often, I guess there are some people out there who are actually proud of their bad tattoos. I have no idea why. And I apologize if this seems like a negative post but like Sir Issac Newton said, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. So keep posting these pics and I'll keep sharing them as well as all of your information with the local Health Department and authorities along with as many people who read my blog. Alright everyone take care and have a wonderful day!

A Call To Arms!!!!

As a tattoo artist of less then 10 years, I can't claim to have seen it all in this business. Call it an industry and watch the hackles raise on many of the people who also tattoo for a living be it old schoolers or newbies. What I have witnessed was the birth of Miami Ink, and there was speculation as to how this would affect  us tattooers. Some people automatically hated it, some embraced it as it brought tattooing into peoples homes and living rooms and made tattoos more mainstream thus creating a flow of cash the had slowed since the 80's. Riding on Miami Inks coat tails more and more TV shows sprung up, Hart and Huntington, LA Ink, etc. Now we have tattoo TV programs that are more like game shows like Survivor. And how has this affected us? Sure more and more people walk through the doors seemingly more educated throwing around words like photo realistic! But for every new client we see we are also seeing more and more work done by the home tattooist. Yes, the scratchers numbers are increasing. No, this isn't going to turn into a rant about scratchers. If you still want to go to some illegal tattooist in a basement or dirty bedroom and pay $20-$60 for some fucked up piece of shit that you'll come in looking to get "cleaned up" and then looked shocked when I quote you 5 times what you paid for it, that's your choice. I'm here bitching today because I've learned that now these dip shits can purchase their equipment from large corporate stores like Sears and Dick Blick!

Tattoo artist round the globe rose up when they found out about TLC's Tattoo School TV show. Angry that a cable channel would put out crap that doesn't show what some of us work and strive for each and every day. Tattoo artists trained properly with a real apprenticeship, full of blood, sweat, and tears. It's bad enough that most tattoo equipment dealers don't care if you work for a real studio or not. But, since the ones who do sell to just anyone, they sell sub quality equipment I haven't really cared too much. I've focused trying to educate the masses on why they shouldn't go to these hackers. But now with SEARS and DICK BLICK selling equipment I think we need to take some sort of stand.

I see things going down one of two ways, we (tattoo artists) can call for some sort of regulations that forbid anyone from selling tattoo equipment to anyone not working in a shop. Not that each state handles things the same when it comes to the qualifications of someone who works in a studio. And its not that I would like to see our already corrupt government stick it's nose into our business. Or, we could go back to the old school ways of doing things, breaking peoples hands so they can't tattoo. I'm not opposed to the old school simple way of thinking. I kinda like keeping things simple and I don't think I need the government to tell me whats right or wrong. So what say you? Are you gonna join a Facebook group to boycott these chains and their sales of tattoo equipment thinking you are doing something like stopping Joseph Kony by re-posting someones status or "liking" it. Let's do something about this. I'm open to ideas....

Well, well, well, I will have to recant somewhat, it seems Blick has decided not to sell tattoo supplies after all...The Traditional Way.