Blue Tattoo Cafe

Review: I went in to see about getting a tattoo on August 18th,2013. I agreed to go ahead and have [redacted](artist and owner)to start the process. He said I needed to leave a deposit of $100. I went ahead and gave to more towards the tattoo, so that way I wouldn't spend the money on something else. Finally 5 weeks later he said set up a time for the tattoo. I came in, and was nor completely happy with the drawing. To me it seemed like easy fix, but he said to let him know when I get back from FL for a week trip I had to take. Oct 5th he texts me to see what days I'm available during Oct 17-29. He never replies to my response of time I'm available. Few days later I find a pic of the gargoyle I'm really wanting in the tat, he re;lies,"no prob". So week or so later he tells me I can come in the weekend of the 19th to check it out. It was not a detailed sketch of what it will look like when done. Multiple times including this time I had asked him if he's going to be putting in lot more detail, and that this is just the outline. He said ya every time. Oct 21 I go in for the tattoo, and that night and next day I notice some pretty big errors in the gargoyles legs and a part of the background.When finishing this day he also tells me total is 4hrs15mins for total of $425. I said I didn't think that was right, I thought it was barely 4hrs,especially since he answered the phone many times during the tattoo, and from dealing with a maintenance guy. He said,"fine, if you really want to beat me down 15 mins,ok then". Right after that he puts a tattoo care kit down and says ok total is again $425, because he's charging me $25 for the kit. Not knowing any better I take the kit,assuming he knows what he's talking about, and I also give him a $25 tip. He did thank me, nor even acknowledge the tip at all. (at this point only reason I want to continue is because I felt he had my $300 held hostage,I wanted it to just be over, and hoped that tattoo can be salvaged)Before leaving Oct 21, we arranged an appt. for Oct 25th to finish the gargoyle(centerpice of tat)I go in the next day and point them out and see if they will be able to be fixed, but he tried justifying it with that, that was the angle.It was not that!One leg was huge in areas and the other looked deformed.There was also a spot colored in to where it seemed like he got carried away with coloring stuff in and it did not go along with any part of the tattoo.I also asked what his plan was for the detail of the gargoyle, and he mentioned scales, or stone or something.The morning of day before I realized I should get an idea of what detail this guy is going to do to the gargoyle.So I text him morning of 24th to just ask for a rough sketch,an idea of what it will look like. He texts me back and says he can, and now he's going to push next appt til mid November. I text him back saying, for real we were good to go less than 24hrs ago. So he calls me back right after that text and says it will take 4-5hrs!I say I just want an idea of what it will look like, and he says the same thing.(there is no way it would take that long just for a simple rough non elaborate drawing of the tat). So later that after noon I text him to see if I could just come in and finish up more of the background, and he says he already filled the spot I had. After thinking more about the whole situation,and the way things were going I decided I didn't think it was a good idea to continue with him.I went to the shop around that appt time I had had that day but no one was there. I text him to see if he will be in soon, and he said he is slammed all day and doesn't have time.I reply that I just need a couple minutes.He said hes slammed what do I need. So I text back saying ok then,I'm not happy with the service or tattoo 100% and would like my deposit back. He texts back no refunds ever, and that he has bent over backwards to help me and that I'm so demanding, and clearly no way to satisfy me, and it's better we part ways. I say ok then can I have one of the other guys finish up the tattoo, and he says no, he doesn't want me doing the same thing to them. (The only thing I had ever asked this guy was to change the gargoyle the one time,asked for a rough idea of what gargoyle will look like, and pointed out some big errors and asked if they were fixable)I offer to him to keep the original $100 initially asked for of the deposit, and give me back my extra $200 I had put toward the tattoo so I wouldn't spend it elsewhere, and he says no. I reply to him that I am be extremely fair,and that I will tell the truth of my experience on social sites and report the couple health violations I noticed to the Dept of Health if I didn't get my deposit back, because he is basically stealing the money from me because he will not finish the tattoo,nor allow another artist to finish it. He reminds me of the paperwork I signed saying that it said I'm not allowed to say anything thats negative at all about him on social sites.However I ask him for a copy,and he says to have an attorney contact him for that!(he never offered a copy of original at anytime time during tattoo process) He kept replying back to me aggressively. I maintained calm and professional the whole time, no cursing, threats or anything, just telling him whats fair and the right thing to do, and he replies that I'm not allowed to contact him, and he is going to file harassment with the police. (This all stemming from asking for my money back,telling him he can't stop me from speaking and telling the truth.I responded text for text with him, no overboard texting nor calling at all.I let his last text to me be the end of the conversation. I am more than willing to submit all text messages if needed)Desired Settlement: I want my full $300 deposit refunded. I'm not even asking for the $400 I spent on the 25th for the start of the tattoo that is not very good at all, and that he left half [redacted] done.

Review: The business provided a redeemable coupon for tattoo work compiling to $1,500.00. I purchased this coupon from a raffle for $390.00. On June 17th I took went to the business to redeem this coupon. I told the business owner I wanted a tatttoo of a dragon up the left side of my torso to end up covering the existing spider tattoo. The owner told me it would take two weeks to do the art work and I agreed for him to call me when it's ready.

On July 17, 4 weeks later, I went to the shop to find out why I haven't heard from him. He told me he's been too busy to do anything. An hour after I left I received a call saying the art work is ready.

On the 18th I went in the see the artwork. It's a very simplistic dragon, no where near the $1,500 but still looked ok. I was happy with what he had. Then I told and showed him about the cover up I wanted done as well. We agreed that it would take another week and he could use his imagination to complete the artwork.

On July 29th, 1 week later, he told me he hasn't been able to do anything with it and he was going on vacation and wouldn't be back until 17 Sep.

On Sep 17th, I showed up a the shop and he still hasn't done anything with the artwork and he said he'd get to working on it. He asked me to call before I come.

On Sep 20th, I called at 10:30am and talked to a girl saying I would be there around 4:15pm. She said the owner should be in by then. When I came by I told him about the phone call I made earlier and asked about the tattoo artwork. He said it was at his house. I made an agreement with him I would return on Monday the 23rd at 4:15 pm to see the artwork.

On Sep23rd, I called the shop prior to showing up and relayed to me the artwork isn't finished.

On Sep 27th, I called and left a message saying I'm not happy with the service I've been getting.Desired Settlement: I can no loger trust Blue Tattoo to give me a quality tattoo. Until they pay me the $390.00 I spent on their coupon this complaint will not be resolved.