Money is a vulgar topic, but...

[misterJ]

So figured I would chime in and maybe get some advice.

I found a flash piece I love of a traditional image with a neat twist. I will leave it vague just in case. I asked for a quote on the piece and I was told that the artist only works hourly and that it would take about 4 hours to do. I honestly thought it was like a 2 to 2 and a half hour tattoo. This basically doubles the tattoo price for a small piece (smaller and skinnier than a blu ray case all black limited color with minimal background)

The flash is original to the artist so I wouldn't go to another person to get it done cheaper because that to me is just wrong. I just feel a bit stuck because it just isn't a 4 hour tattoo and the price tag he wants is a bit absurd (more than a session on my back at this point)

I still love the piece so I think I'm just very slowly gonna save for it, but I have this crappy feeling like come on man 3 hours with a bathroom break is even pushing it.

Thoughts?

[Shaun1105]

The flash is original to the artist so I wouldn't go to another person to get it done cheaper because that to me is just wrong. I just feel a bit stuck because it just isn't a 4 hour tattoo and the price tag he wants is a bit absurd

Almost all of my friends think that I paid an absurd amount for all of my tattoos. The price is the price.

Maybe the artist considers the piece special for some reason and s/he wants to limit how many people get it? Raising the price would ensure only the piece only goes to the most dedicated of collectors. Here's your chance to prove yourself.

;)

[misterJ]

not a bad point... thanks actually that helps me a bit

[taaarro]

What an interesting read this thread is. Another issue if you travel internationally for tattoos is exchange rates and different local costs of things. I had a relatively young, but very popular European tattooer visiting Japan quote me a price that was twice the cost of equivalently sized tattoos I'd gotten from older, 'legendary' tattooers in the US. I felt sort of offended and decided I didn't really want a tattoo from the person, but it did occur to me that it has to do with the cost of living in Europe.

[Suiren]

What an interesting read this thread is. Another issue if you travel internationally for tattoos is exchange rates and different local costs of things. I had a relatively young, but very popular European tattooer visiting Japan quote me a price that was twice the cost of equivalently sized tattoos I'd gotten from older, 'legendary' tattooers in the US. I felt sort of offended and decided I didn't really want a tattoo from the person, but it did occur to me that it has to do with the cost of living in Europe.

Wow...I was under the impression tattoos are more affordable in Europe. The price quotations I have gotten in New York and San Diego were double or more of what I pay here (Frankfurt Germany). Must vary a lot by Country and US State.

[pidjones]

Almost all of my friends think that I paid an absurd amount for all of my tattoos. The price is the price.

Maybe the artist considers the piece special for some reason and s/he wants to limit how many people get it? Raising the price would ensure only the piece only goes to the most dedicated of collectors. Here's your chance to prove yourself.

;)

Sorry, but the only thing you prove by paying way too much is your gullibility. There is lots of other art to fall in love with.

[tatB]

Sorry, but the only thing you prove by paying way too much is your gullibility. There is lots of other art to fall in love with.

That is not the nicest thing to say... People have different tastes. One person might be willing to pay $500 for a tattoo that someone else would not want if it was free. One person might place more value in getting any tattoo from one specific artist, while another person wants a specific meaningful tattoo but would be happy to get it from any qualified artist.

[Shaun1105]

Sorry, but the only thing you prove by paying way too much is your gullibility. There is lots of other art to fall in love with.

Haha! Well, I don't think I paid too much at all. I am quite certain none of you guys would think so either.

My friends who think I pay absurd prices are either have no tattoos or actually choose their tattooer based on the low hourly rate she has because she has a studio in her basement. True story.

And for the most part I don't even tell them the real price. I just give a vague round-number answer. Because they won't get it anyway. Value is subjective!

Further reading, because I'm an Austrian economics nerd in addition to being a tattoo nerd:

The subjective theory of value is a theory of value which advances the idea that the value of a good is not determined by any inherent property of the good, nor by the amount of labor required to produce the good, but instead value is determined by the importance an acting individual places on a good for the achievement of their desired ends. This theory is one of the core concepts of the Austrian School of Economics. While the modern version of this theory was created independently and nearly simultaneously by William Stanley Jevons, Léon Walras, and Carl Menger in the late 19th century it had in fact been advanced in the Middle Ages and Renaissance but did not gain widespread acceptance at that time. (from wikipedia)

[Graeme]

Guys, this guy isn't worth arguing with.

[Shaun1105]

Guys, this guy isn't worth arguing with.

The value of my arguing time is also subjective!! :)

But you're probably right.

[Scott R]

Money topic is understandably a factor in getting tattooed but its also the root of people making questionable decisions when deciding on who to do a tattoo.

My personal take is tattooing is cool as fuck and I want to support people Who I feel are doing really cool shit that I get to see or have. I am paying for a service yes but I also view it as my tiny little part to allow them to continue to do awesomeness. I personally have never talked about prices or budgets before a tattoo.If the tattooer didnt mention money during scheduling I guestimate and have always left a tip and had a few bucks in my pocket.

I see people all the time comparing hourly rates or by the piece prices but do not factor in time it will take or quality of the work put out by the different tattooers.

[UglyButProud]

I see people all the time comparing hourly rates or by the piece prices but do not factor in time it will take or quality of the work put out by the different tattooers.

Exactly! Not every artist works at the same speed/efficiency/quality. Also cracks me up that people are willing to bargain shop for something they will have to live with for the rest of their lives.

[bongsau]

asdf

Edited May 22, 2015 by bongsau
Money is a vulgar topic

[Jeff Bult]

I always ask, "how much should I plan to bring with me?" which makes me sound like I have way more money than I actually do, but I also feel like it doesn't make it sound like I'm concerned with the price.

As a tattooer I try to quote people on their tattoo before they ask to avoid them asking. Currently I over quote people and then when I'm done with the tattoo I charge what I feel is a fair price for the piece (usually less than the quote). I think that it's good to have people prepared to pay more than they actually end up paying, at the worst it makes it seem like you're a nice guy who's hooking them up. In the event that something is really big and/or detailed I'll stick closer to the hourly rate and I tell the client that there's no way to give a real quote on the piece besides "whatever you're comfortable spending that day".

- - - Updated - - -

My own historical data over a 12 year period of tattoos indicate that tattooers with the highest hourly rate consistently give you the best tattoo in the shortest amount of time, the best overall value and bang-for-buck.

I got my full side done in under 14 hours by a very renowned artist somehow. I will absolutely agree that artists that charge more are usually much faster (or at the very least, really good).

Sorry for the double post.

[Avery Taylor]

I'm glad to see a thread about money come up on here, and stay on track with reasonable questions and reasonable answers. We have always avoided the topic, but it is a big part of getting tattooed, and new people come here to educate themselves on all aspects of tattooing. I think we have avoided it for so long because we didn't want it to turn into a big gossip thread about what specific tattooers charge. I personally have never asked ahead of time about the price, but I do think it is a good idea. Especially if you are new to getting tattooed. The ones of us that have been getting tattooed for a decade or more usually have some idea of what we might get charged. Even though we don't talk about it on open public forums we do share this type of information privately. When you are travelling across the country or across the world to get tattooed by someone you have never met before it is a huge help to have friends that have been tattooed by them. They let you know what to expect when you get there. Where to get a good pre-tattoo meal and post-tattoo drink, where the closest ATM is, how fast or slow the tattooer is, and what to expect on the money side. If you don't have friends like that as a resource then you need to talk about the price beforehand no matter how uncomfortable it makes you. I honestly believe that most really good tattooers are very fair with their pricing. That has been my experience over the last twelve years, but I also know that there are a few famous tattooers out there that charge ridiculous prices, and a couple of my friends found out the hard way. It sucks when that happens because it can really sour a person on getting tattooed.

[hogg]

I agree with everything @Avery Taylor said above. I often remark that tattooing is the only service where it's (sometimes) awkward for the customer to ask what it will cost.* It's not as much of an issue if an artist accepts credit cards, but the majority I've been to only accept cash. If I'm traveling to a cash-only artist, that means I have to bring a grip of money, just in case.

*To clarify: I'm not talking about dudes on Instagram asking "How much for a sleeve?"

[suburbanxcore]

So, @hogg brought up a point I've been wondering about.

Most shops I've been to, and definitely my local shop, are cash only. Some to the point of having an ATM right there. And same with conventions. But lately on my trips to Kings Avenue, they always ask me if I'm paying with cash or card. I always feel weird paying with credit or debit for tattoo, so I always pay with cash. But at the same time, sometimes I'm a bit wary of walking around New York City with a few hundred dollars or even a grand in my pocket. I don't really even know if I have a question in here, other than what are people's general thoughts on paying with a card vs cash? Obviously, any tips would be in cash.

Edit: not sure if this has been covered elsewhere. Just something I've been thinking about, and hogg's post made me think of it. I didn't search or anything.

[xcom]

So, @hogg brought up a point I've been wondering about.

Most shops I've been to, and definitely my local shop, are cash only. Some to the point of having an ATM right there. And same with conventions. But lately on my trips to Kings Avenue, they always ask me if I'm paying with cash or card. I always feel weird paying with credit or debit for tattoo, so I always pay with cash. But at the same time, sometimes I'm a bit wary of walking around New York City with a few hundred dollars or even a grand in my pocket. I don't really even know if I have a question in here, other than what are people's general thoughts on paying with a card vs cash? Obviously, any tips would be in cash.

Edit: not sure if this has been covered elsewhere. Just something I've been thinking about, and hogg's post made me think of it. I didn't search or anything.

Its a bad idea to walk around with cash around Houston or surrounding areas... Thugz around here know that people that are in and out of shops/studios are carrying cash and the troubles starts...

when I have the option I pay with plastic.

[hogg]

I don't really even know if I have a question in here, other than what are people's general thoughts on paying with a card vs cash? Obviously, any tips would be in cash

My preference, when it's an option, is to pay with a card, then tip with cash. It seems to work out best for everyone.

[Graeme]

I think being able to pay by credit card makes a lot of sense and I can think of more good reasons for that as a form of payment than cash-only, but I am somewhat attached to the idea of paying cash for tattoos. I guess it's mainly for symbolic reasons that I like cash: I am paying for this tattoo with money that I have worked for and saved. It's not on credit or on a payment plan. I guess a logical extension of this is that tattoos are a status symbol, and I'm not sure how comfortable I am with that idea personally, but it's a thought to add to the discussion.

[xcom]

I think being able to pay by credit card makes a lot of sense and I can think of more good reasons for that as a form of payment than cash-only, but I am somewhat attached to the idea of paying cash for tattoos. I guess it's mainly for symbolic reasons that I like cash: I am paying for this tattoo with money that I have worked for and saved. It's not on credit or on a payment plan. I guess a logical extension of this is that tattoos are a status symbol, and I'm not sure how comfortable I am with that idea personally, but it's a thought to add to the discussion.

A debit card is just the same as your hard earned cash. Paying with plastic does not mean you are using a cc.

But I do agree as far as CC.

[Tornado6]

I don't normally carry cash, but I don't have a problem stopping to get some if I know I'm going to a cash only restaurant or tattoo shop. I do like to know ahead of time, so I can make the ATM dash (or go to the bank if it is going to be an amount over the ATM max.) I hate getting somewhere and finding out we only have $7.50 between us.

I especially don't like carrying cash around casinos, or on the train, and I suppose in and out of tattoo shops could be sketchy too. The last place I got tattooed is in a pretty rough part of town, and I know the guys have had some hassle when they're shutting down at night before. It does put you on your toes.

I've paid for all of my tattoos with cash, but I ran my debit card for my son's. He tipped in cash.

[polliwog]

A couple times now I've flown with (what seems to me) a largeish amount of cash, and it's made me nervous. I also have a pretty low maximum amount of cash I can withdraw from an ATM, so I need to plan ahead for a trip to the bank. I like having the option to pay with a debit card. I would feel weird buying tattoos on credit, though.

@Graeme, I've also struggled with the question of tattoos as status symbol. I work in a part of the state that's very much defined by status symbols, and while my tattoos aren't the "right" ones for this area, they definitely signal that I have disposable income. (On the other hand, my laptop is 7 years old and my car looks like shit, so: tradeoffs.)

[sophistre]

they definitely signal that I have disposable income. (On the other hand, my laptop is 7 years old and my car looks like shit, so: tradeoffs.)

I forget what happened to inspire the remark, but at some point I cracked a joke about my arms being ripped off, and my friend said 'hopefully not the expensive one.' It was the first time I realized that one of my arms is actually worth more than the other one. What a strange thought.

[knucklehead211]

I can't speak on my experiences much, as I've been getting tattooed by the same artist for the past five years. I know my first tattoo I asked about how much he thought it would be; I was met with the now familiar response of "hmmm, really just depends" and thought, well, I can do this! Five years later and I feel like he almost always cuts me a good deal. He's just a straight up good guy who want gouge you over the price. This last session I was in shop for about four hours, but he only charged me for about three since we took smoke and coffee drink breaks. Naturally left a good tip, and am hoping some of that goodwill comes back on my next session, as I am struggling to get my funds back in shape. The shop I go to is predominantly cash, but my artist has square so I've been using debit lately - much more convenient and I don't have to try and hunt down an atm!