Overcharged tattoo

DeathToDetail

Hey, I hope this is the right place!
I booked a day sitting for a tattoo the other day, and it cost £300 for 10am-6pm. We didn’t even start tattooing until past 11am because he was disorganised, didn’t know what the date was or which client he was tattooing! And from then on in, he took a 10-15 minute cigarette break every hour, so between half eleven and half five, I actually received about 4.5 hours of tattooing overall, and obviously about half of what I paid for. I’m really disappointed because I saved up my pennies to finish my sleeve and I can’t afford to pay even more to finish it. Similarly, I have 2 small children so my parents paid over £200 for a train to come and look after the kids, I paid £50 for the train fare there, as well as sacrificing a whole day (I’m self employed). Advice? Is there anything I can do here to recoup any costs?

BoGoF

Did you mention it to him at the time? When you booked was it based on an hourly rate? £300 seems cheap for 8 hours.

I don't think you can expect him to tattoo you for 8 hours without a break but losing 3.5 hours is excessive.

DeathToDetail

Yes it was a discounted day rate as he is just finishing his apprenticeship. Of course he would need a break ( plus I’m a smoker too!) but all the other day sessions I’ve had have been solid tattooing with two or three short breaks and a half hour for lunch

hollydays

I’d just talk to him. Arty people aren’t always organised

DeathToDetail

I would have done it at the time if I didn’t have crippling anxiety and was already fighting back tears at being away from my babies from 5am-9pm and spending a total of £350 (not to mention the four hour, £150 train journey my mum took to babysit for me). Just wondered if there was a body that could help

Potbellypig

DeathToDetail wrote: »

Hey, I hope this is the right place!
I booked a day sitting for a tattoo the other day, and it cost £300 for 10am-6pm. We didn’t even start tattooing until past 11am because he was disorganised, didn’t know what the date was or which client he was tattooing! And from then on in, he took a 10-15 minute cigarette break every hour, so between half eleven and half five, I actually received about 4.5 hours of tattooing overall, and obviously about half of what I paid for. I’m really disappointed because I saved up my pennies to finish my sleeve and I can’t afford to pay even more to finish it. Similarly, I have 2 small children so my parents paid over £200 for a train to come and look after the kids, I paid £50 for the train fare there, as well as sacrificing a whole day (I’m self employed). Advice? Is there anything I can do here to recoup any costs?

I've never had an experience any different. The first hour or so is spent designing your tattoo, sizing it, getting the outline set on your arm etc. This can't be expected to be completed in their own time or without you there.

4.5 hours of actual tattooing is pretty reasonable for a full day sitting.

Aylesbury_Duck

DeathToDetail wrote: »

I would have done it at the time if I didn’t have crippling anxiety and was already fighting back tears at being away from my babies from 5am-9pm and spending a total of £350 (not to mention the four hour, £150 train journey my mum took to babysit for me). Just wondered if there was a body that could help

With respect, you did choose to spend all that time and money away from your children and work to get the tattoo done. It was a vanity choice, not a necessary medical procedure.

I suggest that getting help for your anxiety would be a better use of your time and money than a tattoo.

couriervanman

DeathToDetail wrote: »

Hey, I hope this is the right place!
I booked a day sitting for a tattoo the other day, and it cost £300 for 10am-6pm. We didn’t even start tattooing until past 11am because he was disorganised, didn’t know what the date was or which client he was tattooing! And from then on in, he took a 10-15 minute cigarette break every hour, so between half eleven and half five, I actually received about 4.5 hours of tattooing overall, and obviously about half of what I paid for. I’m really disappointed because I saved up my pennies to finish my sleeve and I can’t afford to pay even more to finish it. Similarly, I have 2 small children so my parents paid over £200 for a train to come and look after the kids, I paid £50 for the train fare there, as well as sacrificing a whole day (I’m self employed). Advice? Is there anything I can do here to recoup any costs?

If you can't afford more to finish it why on earth get it done in the first place.......and make your parents fork out loads of money to babysit your kids.....:mad::eek:..only one person to blame
Plus I don't like tattoos.......horrible things but if I did fancy one I certainly wouldn't have it done by a person who'd just finished his apprenticeship

engineer_amy

I don't think you have much comeback here, the only way to sort anything out would have been to discuss with the artist at the time that you were not happy, or even shortly after. Maybe if you are able to discuss it with him now and lay it out how you thought you were paying for x hours and only received y hours due to the reasons you state, you may be able to come to some sort of arrangement with a discounted rate to get your sleeve finished, but you will be relying on his goodwill.
You cant start claiming other costs such as your train fare, your lost earnings or parents train fare. it was your personal choice to get the tattoo, to sacrifice a days work and for your parents to look after your kids - your personal situation with travel and childcare has nothing to do with the artist.


8 hours for £300 is dirt cheap. my tattooist usually charges £80 per hour or £400 for a day sitting which is only 6 hours (11am to 5pm). As I am such a regular, he only charges £300. The first 45 mins to 1hour is spent with the consultation, design, drawing and marking up, placement and general prep before any tattooing starts. Frequently I have paid for a day sitting, and the artist has been quicker than anticipated and has finished 1-2 hours earlier. Have I ever asked for a refund of the extra hours? No! that is the price I agreed to get the tattoo done and was happy to pay it based on the end result, not actually how long it took. At times we have been unsure how long a tattoo might actually take, so I have preferred to book him for the full day so he isn't rushing to finish and fit in another client after me.


Getting tattoos is not cheap (if you want quality you need to pay for it). If you are struggling for money, perhaps you may want to rethink your priorities?

davidmcn

DeathToDetail wrote: »

Just wondered if there was a body that could help

Even if there were some sort of Tattoo Ombudsman (which I'm pretty sure there ain't) you'd still be expected to give the tattooist an opportunity to rectify matters first.

DoaM

Was there any prior consultation about the design before the day appointment was made?

Did he give any performance guarantee (e.g. to finish your sleeve in that day sitting)?

If he went into the appointment knowing (and agreeing to) your expectations then you'd have some come-back (e.g. to get the sleeve finished at his cost - you'd still be liable for transport costs as it was your choice to use him rather than someone else). Other than that - see previous posts.