The Inked Perspective

“What do you mean you need a $100 deposit, the other places charge $50!”

There is a well known trope in the tattoo industry called ” [insert name here] said he/she/they could do it cheaper.” What the person on the other end of the phone usually leaves out is that the artist is trash, the garage/kitchen/bedroom they are working out of is dirty, and that the person they are referring to specializes in stick figures.

For the love of God, please don’t be this guy. Shopping around for a car makes sense, but if you go to a Lamborghini dealership and try to haggle on price you’ll get laughed out of the building. Now, I’m not saying that you need to have a $200,000 piece on your arm; I’m merely saying that you’re going to own this for life, so make sure you do it right.

When searching for an artist or shop, as I have said before find someone whose style or portfolio matches up with what you want. If price is an issue for the piece you want, save up money or get something smaller. But please, save us all the cringe of trying to haggle a price or tell an artist that someone can do it cheaper. Not only is it rude, but it generally shows a disregard for that artist’s time; not just to the art, but to the craft.

Yes, you’re the one getting tattooed. However, the artist is giving you that price because of supplies, their time invested in the design, and more importantly their worth. Would you want someone walking into your place of business only to tell you they will go elsewhere? No, that sounds like hell? Then yea, you get it.

Pony up the cash and don’t be a cheapskate. If you don’t like the price, be polite and go elsewhere. Most artists won’t take offense. In the words of a wise man named Marshall, “People get the tattoo they deserve”.

Seriously though, please don’t get tattooed in someone’s garage.

Unless it’s got a lambo in it. In that case go hog wild, bud.

xoxo

Jake