He Trusted His Tattoo Artist, But Her Unique Approach to Working Left Him Furious and Questioning If He Should Pay Her.

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In an unexpected turn, the Original Poster (OP) was embroiled in a conflict with an admired tattoo artist over questionable billing practices. Caught in a tense tug-of-war, the artist refuses to deduct the time spent away from work after multiple disruptions during a session, leaving OP in a predicament. A resolution seems to be reached, but a final twist promises to shake things up even more.

The Tattoo Studio

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OP’s tattoo session started smoothly, with the artist’s hourly rate at $125. The design OP wanted was complicated, and he was there for a little over two hours, the bill totaling $270. The store was clean, and the tattoo artist’s reputation for amazing work was well-earned.

Interruptions Begin

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Soon, the tattoo artist began taking bathroom breaks, disrupting the process. Throughout the session, she got up seven times, each break lasting at least five minutes. And, to OP’s surprise, the artist left her timer running throughout each intermission.

The Bill

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When settling the bill, OP was charged for the entire duration, including the bathroom breaks. OP felt this fairness was questionable, leading to a request for a time deduction. Despite the artist’s reputation, OP was beginning to feel disgruntled.

A Disconcerting Reply

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The tattoo artist made a face at OP’s request, clearly offended, and politely declined the proposed deduction, leaving OP in disbelief. He had expected her to be understanding and was taken off-guard when she was not.

Reluctant Payment

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OP chose not to argue, feeling cornered by the situation. He paid the requested amount but decided to leave a smaller tip than usual. This decision marked the first tangible response to the artist’s behavior.

The Unexpected Email

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The next morning, an email arrived in OP’s inbox from the tattoo artist. She requested that OP not book with her anymore, stating that she felt disrespected by their actions. The correspondence left OP shocked and disappointed.

The Artistic Void

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OP found himself in a predicament. He had lost his trusted tattoo artist, someone he genuinely admired. He was conflicted, unsure if he had been wrong for requesting to only pay for the time she had spent on him.

A Search for a New Artist

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In the wake of the conflict, OP began the search for a new tattoo artist. But, finding someone who matched their previous artist’s skill and style was proving difficult. The loss of their original artist was keenly felt.

A Familiar Face Returns

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Just as OP adjusted to the change, a familiar face reappeared. The tattoo artist reached out to him, expressing a wish to reconnect. She asked OP to revisit the studio, sparking hope and some confusion.

A Twist in the Reunion

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The reunion was not as pleasant as OP had hoped. The artist demanded an apology for OP’s earlier actions and insisted on keeping her same charging practice. The opportunity for compromise seemed to be slipping away.

The Stubborn Stand

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OP stood his ground, insisting that his previous request had been reasonable. He refused to apologize, rekindling the tension between them. This defiance signified a shift in OP’s approach to the situation.

A Surprising Offer

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Despite the heated confrontation, the artist offered a surprising compromise. She suggested a flat rate for future tattoos, eliminating the need for a timer. The proposal appeared to be an olive branch, a chance at reconciliation.

The Decision

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After much deliberation, OP decided to give the new arrangement a chance and booked another session, feeling hopeful yet cautious. Returning to the familiar studio, OP sat in the tattoo chair with mixed emotions. The artist worked meticulously, without any interruptions this time.

Was The Man’s Behavior Appropriate?

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To find some form of closure, OP took to the internet to share his story. The reactions were mixed, with some supporting OP’s decision and others defending the artist. Here are some of the responses:

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “You should reply and provide a review on Yelp and other sites that of your two hours for which you were fully charged, she spent nearly forty minutes in the bathroom on seven trips and did not stop the clock. That’s a definition of being unprofessional.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote, “If she is using a timer to get an exact work time, she should pause it when she has to go to the bathroom. I get if she was having a bad tummy day or something, but it’s a bit unfair to charge you for that.”

A Third View on The Story

A different person stated, “Sounds like she was padding her time. Either way, she charged for the time she didn’t work. That is unethical, and you should let the owner know and write a review if they aren’t going to do anything about it.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another reader replied, “She should have, at a minimum, been pausing the timer after the first time she went to the bathroom – I feel like one time is probably okay; we’re all human, but more than once in two hours is already a bit ridiculous let alone seven times.”