I went here for a simple tattoo, only 4 square inches. It is the umbrella symbol from the resident evil series. I had just had an unreal shift the night before on my paramedics job. I was kind of in a... Read More
I went here for a simple tattoo, only 4 square inches. It is the umbrella symbol from the resident evil series. I had just had an unreal shift the night before on my paramedics job. I was kind of in a "high" state due to the life changing events and had an over whelming desire to get a tattoo, something that meant something to me and would remind me for the rest of my life what had happened in the last 16 hours. That being said I was not in the most clear of mind sets. I had been waiting for a long time to get a tattoo and already had about 6 professional piercings done (in addition to many home piercings), so I was no stranger to asking all the right questions about cleanliness, etc. I picked this place because of the extensive video game tattoos, and the fact the guy had already done this exact tattoo on 2 other people, with it looking perfect.I walked in, showed the guy what I wanted, and he said ok. I then stood there for 20-30 mins while the tattoo artist and piercer talked about inventory, their nights before, and other things that could have waited until they had tended to me. After all this the guy shows me to the room, setting everything up (in a sterile manner). He asks where I want it, placing the stencil about an inch from where I asked. After inquiring about the placement change, the guy states the tattoo will move about in an undesirable way where I want it. I know this is something they often give good advice about so I proceed with the placement (which I now disagree with intensely, the area I wanted would have worked just fine). He then starts the tattoo. It is a simple octagon, with 4 straight lines in the middle and alternating red and white color fill-ins of the triangles the lines make up. Initially none of the lines are the same thickness, which I start commenting on right away. He says that it will even out more as the tattoo heals. I took his word for it, which ended up being a total lie. 5 years later this sh*t is still totally uneven. Half way through he stops to smoke a cigarette, in the store, which is illegal in Michigan. Mind you this tattoo took a total of 10 minutes to complete. Then when he comes back to finish it he begins to berate me on not asking about the sterilization of the store. I apologized, and told him that I was personally shocked that I did not inquire as well. I began to explain the reasoning for my gaffe was my mind being preoccupied with the events of the night I had before, to which he made it obvious he could not care less (part of it was saving a small child's life). By the time he finished in the red coloring he started to pack up his stuff. I jokingly made a comment about the white triangles needed to be filled in too. He told me that the white ink always fades, and that I would like it more without it. I told him thank you for the advice, but I would prefer a complete looking tattoo. He said too bad, they didn't even have white ink. At this point I was pissed. How do you not have WHITE INK?!?! He then began to accuse me of being a drug addict because I was not in pain while getting a tattoo on the inside of my wrist (I have a huge pain tolerance, that allowed my to get a 10 piece corset piercing, and cope with numerous broken bones). I just wanted to get the hell out of the store. I walk up to the front counter to pay, at which point I am told it was going to cost $120. I refused to pay, stating the base costs of all the other tattoo shops in the area, the size of the tat, the time, and the complete dissatisfaction. Unfortunately the tattoo artist notices a cop outside the shop, who listens to the story for 5 minutes before telling me I'll be arrested for theft if I do not pay and that I can take it up with the BBB if I am still upset. Considering I am a HUGE Body Mod fan, I am pissed that my first tattoo had to be such a disaster. I wish I had just let my best friends brother do it. He would have put a lot more effort and love in to it. Never go here, not worth the crap. Read Less