Hi All, I’m new to this forum!
I have a number of Tattoos – both side of neck, back, arms, buttocks, leg, which I’m happy with, but I have 2 unfinished designs across my chest which I’m not at all happy with, and I’d really appreciate some advice.
I brought it up with the artist, so he started off by correcting a few things which I wasn’t happy with, and then I continued, and asked him to incorporate a design onto the other side. So, he did a drawing, which was fine, but since it’s started to heal, I wasn’t happy at all, for a number of reasons, so eventually plucked up the courage to tell him, but at the same time trying not to offend.
It didn’t go well at first, but then he advised if I’m not happy, to get it finished somewhere else.
I’ve been to a number of places to get it finished, but they were unable to help, and I’ve realised the only way to be happy is to have it lasered, and later covered up.
Originally, when I said I wasn’t happy, he said he would laser some of it (the studio do laser removal too), but for some reason, that didn’t happen, and again, I wasn’t happy about bringing this up. If now seen a removal specialist, and realise it’s going to cost A LOT of money. (£180 per session on the chest, maybe 5 or 10 sessions!) The original artist now also wants to charge me for this, although I had a cheaper quote elsewhere.
If I has just simply changed my mind with the tattoo, then fair enough, charge me, but the fact is I’m not 100% satisfied, and I paid for this tattoo. This is a hard one, do I have any come back? I strongly feel they should be removing it, since I’m not happy with what they’ve done? It’s cost me enough already. Although I’m sure I maybe should’ve mentioned it sooner. I think it’s been a few months now. What do I do?
Hi
You are on difficult ground really.
The tattooist is only responsible if you can prove negligence that has resulted in harm to yourself or if they refused in the first instance to correct the work you were unhappy with.
They will most likely argue that with regrads to the first part of the tattoo that you had done they made corrections at the time to rectify it. Which they could further argue you were happy with at the time as you asked them to do more work.
You then asked them to add to the tattoo (I would ask why do this if not happy with first part of the tattoo?)
This second part could be considered a new material fact to the case ie a second tattoo. You agreed that the design was fine and gave the go-ahead to proceed.
That will be their main argument that you did not say ‘hey I don’t like the design for X reason(s)’ before they began to ink.
How long did you leave it before you went backj and said you were not happy with the second part?
If it was straight away and they failed to ‘make good’ you may have some case but this really depends on the reasons;
Just saying I do not like the design would not be sufficent if the work done is in the realm of what was asked for (IE you want a a swallow they draw a thin swallow and you go ok – then realise you wanted a fat swallow) and the line work etc is of a reasonable standard.
This is because you already made an agreement based on the design.
If they botch up the work and it looks a dogs arse then yes you may have some leverage.
However if you have had another artist also work on it you will have a major argument of who is responsible for the removal.
To be honest it really comes down on how valid your arguments are and whether the tattooist has taken all reasonable steps in their work.
I woudl advise speaking with a lawyer but likely find little worth as tattooing is not really geared up for the satisfaction – much of it is based on trust.
Take Care
Matthew
Hi Matthew, many thanks for the response.
The 1st piece: I’d mentioned after a couple of weeks that I felt there was too much grey shading, I’d really only noticed this after it had healed. The 2nd side: I purely felt the linework / proportions were not right, but had left that about 2 months, although I did notice this fairly early on, but was told to wait until it’s finished. (coloured in). After having many opioions from other artists, I realise I’m not happy with the work.
Yes, he did make the minor corrections, but again, after healing, I felt it still wasn’t right. I went back a number of times, and said it doesn’t look like the original design. No one else has worked on it.
The 2nd side, a have issues with the linework. I feel i probably won’t be happy even when it’s coloured. It’s taken a long time to decide what I don’t like and why, and what to do!
I didn’t have any problem with the designs, but just the result. Thinking back, I did seem to think it was odd when he said he was still doing more grey during the tattoo, and not colour!
Maybe I’ll contact one more time to see if we can compromise on the lasering? Worth a try?
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