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Well, we have been discussing this topic at the shop for a while now but Especially in the last 6 months. So, here goes, and this is not directed at all our clients, cause as I have said in the past we have some of the BEST and coolest clients ever. But this goes out to the ones trying to take advantage of us, You know who you are!

We have been bombarded with customers lately who all seem to be trying the same thing. They start by telling us how talented we are, and telling us we do such nice work, which is Great to hear! Then the bargain hunter appears, and the stories vary a bit here and there but they All lead to the same place. They tell us they want tattooed RIGHT AWAY and they don’t feel like they should have to pay whatever the price is! And in some cases will argue with you endlessly trying to beat us up on the price. So, first off, If I came to your job/business etc. and wanted to hire you or what not, but started by telling you that I know you make say, $25 an hour but I feel that you are only worth $10-12 an hour, would you be insulted right off the bat, right? Of course you would! So, why can’t you understand that when you start off our first meeting by insulting us, even if it was a tattoo we were really excited about doing, that disappears when you insult us.

And the best part is when I am told that times are tough and to be nice to you and not charge you what you should pay, but then when setting up an appointment I am told you can’t make it this time cause you are going on vacation, and tell me about your new motorcycle or big screen tv etc. Which not to say you shouldn’t have any of these things but if you can afford them, then you can afford to Pay for your tattoo….Basically by doing this , you are telling us that we don’t deserve to be paid in full but we should give you the BEST tattoo possible. You can’t get Gucci quality at Wal-Mart prices!

So, I know times are tough….they are tough for us also! We do our absolute best to give everyone an Outstanding tattoo as well as a positive experience, but we have bills n families to feed as well, so please keep in mind when trying to save yourself money, that you may just end up irritating your artist instead!!

Once again, this is not directed at alot of our clients…You know who you are!

Thanks!

Gen X Tattoos Staff

Well, this seems to be one of the biggest pet peeves of just about every tattoo artist I have ever met!

As an artist I HATE that many of the potential clients I talk to start the conversation with “Can I get a deal?” or “The guy down the street will do it for less.” . First of all, you should be looking for a talented, competent and clean tattoo artist not a DEAL. There are many deals to be found in the tattoo community but USUALLY if you look at the potential “deal” from all angles it turns out NOT to be such a good deal after all. It is usually a less than talented “artist” with nothing more on his/her mind than getting your hard earned cash. Not to mention most of these “DEALS” come from “tattoo parties” and or basement studios that are less than desirable locations to perform PROFESSIONAL and CLEAN tattooing!

So lets look at it this way, say you are a painter, carpenter, mechanic or any number of other jobs you may have. I come into your business and ask for a price on getting some work done by YOU. You give me the fair “going rate” and I say “Come on man, you can do it cheaper than that! How about hooking me up with a deal… maybe half off! At this point you are starting to feel insulted, like I don’t feel you are worth the “going rate”. Not to mention, you don’t know me and surely don’t OWE me anything…SO WHY WOULD YOU GIVE ME A DEAL?  You wouldn’t and by all means you would be right in doing so… You are in business or working to make money and feed your family, not go broke by HOOKING people up when they are doing nothing for you in return!

Also once you start taking away money that should be earned for completing a job the desire to “Give it your best” is GONE!

So in closing, I hope this doesn’t sound arrogant, but here goes!…We do appreciate and want your business, and we want to give you the BEST possible tattoo and experience when you come to Gen X but…If you are just looking for a DEAL or the CHEAPEST price please look elsewhere, cause we are OBVIOUSLY not the artists for you!  Thanks!