So I quit tonight. At the tattoo shop I mean. I had a client that wanted me to work on him, and Cathy wouldn't let me. AND she wouldn't let me charge more than 30 bucks. So I left. Here's what I wrote to her. Before that though, is her list of "rules" for you guys to see, and my rebuttal.
MY RULES
Failure to comply to the rules can & will lead to expulsion.
1. There will be no alcohol or illegal drug use in tattoo parlor. Likewise any artist associated with the parlor will not arrive under the influence of either.
2. Use of anything other than the company phone & or other means of contact: ie email, web, myspace & physical address will not be allowed. The business has certain Set means of contact. Your phone email etc is not one of them whether it is to set up appointments or for questions!!!
3. While you are an artist at the tattoo parlor, it will be the only place that you tattoo & all of your tattoo parlor will be kept in the tattoo parlor. Any tattooing outside of tattoo parlor will lead to IMMEDIATE expulsion & possible "competition clause " issues for the artist that is caught doing so.
4. The way the parlor is run is designated by the Owner & only the owner. Example aftercare suggested will follow the Aftercare sheet that is handed out to new clients at the end of their session, thru past experience has found it to be the best guideline for personal as well as client aftercare.
5. Smoking - outside only - any exceptions are at the discretion of the owner only.
6. Music the "House" Owner rules on determination of music on what can & can't be played in shop.
7. Personal Items: Computers: are to be used only for work "client art reference" or for music. Surfing internet, playing games, reading your email can be done on your own time. There are better things that u can do while you are in the tattoo parlor to hone your craft, I would be happy to help with suggestions.
8. Cleaning, a cleaning check off sheet will be started, it will rotate weekly. Everything on the list with the exception of cleaning windows & sweeping in front of shop will be done daily. Outside sweeping will be determined by need. Windows outside & what area can be done inside will be done once a week.
9. Individual stations will be kept clean & neat. The way you want you client to see it is the way it will be kept. It is to look that way each night before you leave. Your station helps to determine the way in which the client views the shop. Overall everything that you do in the shop is a good or bad reflection on the shop as a whole. A bad reflection is not acceptable as it can mean loss of business.
10. Attitude. If you are having a bad day, it stops at the door. If it is something that is still on your mind explain to owner & other artists if there are any that today is not a good day & unless there is immediate need you would like to be left alone to your thoughts. The owner will not take her external issues out on you she will tell you "bad day , just leave me the f alone today & I will be fine".
Towards customers. A curtious & friendly manner is required. Even if it is your worst enemy. However if a client or potential client is being obnoxious, condescending or if they are asking you to draw the same thing 5 times in a nice manner you can tell the person that although you will try to help them that must get a better idea of what they want before you are willing to go further. If they are being obnoxious etc you will tell them also in a nice manner that you do not have to tolerate the bull. If you either do not know how to go about doing so , it persists or your would rather the Owner handle it the Owner will be more than happy to do so even if she is busy.
11. Friends/Relatives. Friends/Relatives can stop in & will be allowed to "hang out" or chat for a while. However friends are can't hang out everyday. If it becomes excessive don't be surprised if it is mentioned to you & / or them. If you haven't heard about it, then it's still within acceptable levels.
12. There will be no mudslinging of other tattoo parlors or artists .. Other than Jimbo & Get r Done. (Which is for obvious reasons.) All artists & the work that people come in with will be treated with respect. Ex: A person could come in for a tattoo & all of their other work is horrible. You can ask them where they got it done etc. But I don't want to hear anything bad said about it. They might love their other tattoo (s) for whatever reasons or themselves or one of their relatives could have been person that did the tattoo. The moral is if you offend the clientele even if its unintentional they probably will never come back. Which is not a good thing.
13. All pricing will be done by the square inch with the exception for the $250.00 deal. This will avoid artist in the same shop trying to under price each other. & it is a fairer system of pricing to the client. If you can not determine a price from the grid or need help, the Owner would be happy to assist you.
14. Daily if you are not busy tattooing clients or cleaning you will draw at least 1 complete piece of are- which means full color, of a design that a client might actually want to get a tattoo of . Or you will tattoo at least one tattoo start to finish on a practice sheet, if not both within the course of the day
My letter to Cathy.
First off. Your "rules" that you want me to abide by, are ludacris. Really. I've got a list of reasons against pretty much every one of them.
1. About the means of contact. I would have been more than happy to abide by that rule had your "business" phone been an actual landline tied to the shop. Not a cell phone that you also use for personal use. That doesn't fly for me a) Because I know you would try to get any clients that I may have had, telling them that they "realize that I'm still a student". I'm not a student. I'm an artist. I only needed help with a few things. Also, about email, ALL professional artists use email as means of contacting their clients. It's non personal, and easier for some. I understood about the myspace, because that could be more personal. Had you had a landline phone, again, I would have been more than happy to comply with your rule. If businesses don't have a landline, then you use personal means of contact.
2. Your "competition clause" is complete and utter bullshit. It's highly illegal. I know, because I've been conversing with Cat's father's lawyer. You can't tell me where I can and cannot work, and therefore would never hold in court. P.S. Your sheet you had me sign is not notorized either, therefore making it less credible in court.
3. Your aftercare sheet is NOT good for a tattoo. Your "personal experience" mentioned with getting tattoos is only 2 tattoos. Of which you had to have the color redone. I know the best way to heal tattoos is NOT to keep covering it with A&D. It does nothing to ward off bacteria, all it does is keep the tattoo lubricated and replentishes the vital vitamins needed to speed the healing process. However, too much A&D has been shown to actually BLUR tattoos, or make them scab worse. I know my aftercare techniques, and they work.
4. The "attitude" rule. I never gave you attitude. I never gave others attitude. If I was having a bad day, I would tell you. End of story.
5. Visitors. YOU HAD MORE THAN I EVER DID. Often times your friends or even people that you'd talk shit about, would be in the shop for HOURS at a time. Seriously. Follow your own rule.
6. The Mudslinging turns people off. EVEN FOR GET-R-DONE. A few of the people that I tattooed went to Jimbo, and were happy with their tattoos. But, thanks to your talking shit while I was tattooing them, they'll never come to you again. In general, several people that I've talked to WON'T come to you. Ever. Simply because of YOUR general attitude to clients.
7. I was never your apprentice yet you treated me like one. I needed some improvement in a few areas, given, but I was by no means an apprentice.
I've also done some talking to other shops and learned of your reputation. I've actually been told NOT to tell other shops that I worked for you. I've also heard about your "apprenticeship" at American tattoo that lasted for a week before you decided that you wanted to tattoo.
Your shop is unclean. You may keep it "sterile" to a point, but, an autoclave is REQUIRED to be in a separate room. Soaking your tubes above the toilet is a BIG no no as it creates unsanitary conditions in the bathroom. Leaving out mopwater, etc, eating next to your autoclave, even tattooing next to it, regardless of spore testing you can still infect it. Hepatitis C can live for up to 11 days open air. I have photographic evidence of all this. I've been there for 2 months and yet to see it get spore tested.
You also got people that will never come to you because of you coming over while I was still fucking tattooing them, and saying "decent" and walking off. If they're stoked about the tattoo, you can hold off on your critique until they're gone. Not while they're there.
I just think your ego got the better of you. Tonight that guy was MY client. He saw the sun I did, and WANTED me to work on him. Not you. I think you're getting upset because I was bringing in more and more clients, and getting alot better each and every day.
I am not going to pay the full amount for November and December, because as I was not allowed to tattoo full time, I will not pay full chair fee. I will pay a suitable amount for supplies used, which mainly consisted of gloves, 1 practice skin, and tubes.
You told me I could not charge more than 30 dollars, and many I did not charge for, so therefore I will not pay full price when I had a limit placed on what I could charge. Artists pay a chair fee. I wasn't treated like one, so I'm not going to pay the fee.
Also, FYI, I have 3 other shops that want me to work there. I've been talking to other shops. I'll be working by next week.
Your ego shouldn't be as big as it is. Others that have seen your work or have friends that had work done by you would rather quote "let their 3 year old tattoo them than let you come close with a needle." Often times tattoos a couple of weeks old looked like they were 50 years old. I know because I've seen it. People come to you because you're cheap, not because of your TADAA work. It's not.
Aaron
-[Aaron]-
MY RULES
Failure to comply to the rules can & will lead to expulsion.
1. There will be no alcohol or illegal drug use in tattoo parlor. Likewise any artist associated with the parlor will not arrive under the influence of either.
2. Use of anything other than the company phone & or other means of contact: ie email, web, myspace & physical address will not be allowed. The business has certain Set means of contact. Your phone email etc is not one of them whether it is to set up appointments or for questions!!!
3. While you are an artist at the tattoo parlor, it will be the only place that you tattoo & all of your tattoo parlor will be kept in the tattoo parlor. Any tattooing outside of tattoo parlor will lead to IMMEDIATE expulsion & possible "competition clause " issues for the artist that is caught doing so.
4. The way the parlor is run is designated by the Owner & only the owner. Example aftercare suggested will follow the Aftercare sheet that is handed out to new clients at the end of their session, thru past experience has found it to be the best guideline for personal as well as client aftercare.
5. Smoking - outside only - any exceptions are at the discretion of the owner only.
6. Music the "House" Owner rules on determination of music on what can & can't be played in shop.
7. Personal Items: Computers: are to be used only for work "client art reference" or for music. Surfing internet, playing games, reading your email can be done on your own time. There are better things that u can do while you are in the tattoo parlor to hone your craft, I would be happy to help with suggestions.
8. Cleaning, a cleaning check off sheet will be started, it will rotate weekly. Everything on the list with the exception of cleaning windows & sweeping in front of shop will be done daily. Outside sweeping will be determined by need. Windows outside & what area can be done inside will be done once a week.
9. Individual stations will be kept clean & neat. The way you want you client to see it is the way it will be kept. It is to look that way each night before you leave. Your station helps to determine the way in which the client views the shop. Overall everything that you do in the shop is a good or bad reflection on the shop as a whole. A bad reflection is not acceptable as it can mean loss of business.
10. Attitude. If you are having a bad day, it stops at the door. If it is something that is still on your mind explain to owner & other artists if there are any that today is not a good day & unless there is immediate need you would like to be left alone to your thoughts. The owner will not take her external issues out on you she will tell you "bad day , just leave me the f alone today & I will be fine".
Towards customers. A curtious & friendly manner is required. Even if it is your worst enemy. However if a client or potential client is being obnoxious, condescending or if they are asking you to draw the same thing 5 times in a nice manner you can tell the person that although you will try to help them that must get a better idea of what they want before you are willing to go further. If they are being obnoxious etc you will tell them also in a nice manner that you do not have to tolerate the bull. If you either do not know how to go about doing so , it persists or your would rather the Owner handle it the Owner will be more than happy to do so even if she is busy.
11. Friends/Relatives. Friends/Relatives can stop in & will be allowed to "hang out" or chat for a while. However friends are can't hang out everyday. If it becomes excessive don't be surprised if it is mentioned to you & / or them. If you haven't heard about it, then it's still within acceptable levels.
12. There will be no mudslinging of other tattoo parlors or artists .. Other than Jimbo & Get r Done. (Which is for obvious reasons.) All artists & the work that people come in with will be treated with respect. Ex: A person could come in for a tattoo & all of their other work is horrible. You can ask them where they got it done etc. But I don't want to hear anything bad said about it. They might love their other tattoo (s) for whatever reasons or themselves or one of their relatives could have been person that did the tattoo. The moral is if you offend the clientele even if its unintentional they probably will never come back. Which is not a good thing.
13. All pricing will be done by the square inch with the exception for the $250.00 deal. This will avoid artist in the same shop trying to under price each other. & it is a fairer system of pricing to the client. If you can not determine a price from the grid or need help, the Owner would be happy to assist you.
14. Daily if you are not busy tattooing clients or cleaning you will draw at least 1 complete piece of are- which means full color, of a design that a client might actually want to get a tattoo of . Or you will tattoo at least one tattoo start to finish on a practice sheet, if not both within the course of the day
My letter to Cathy.
First off. Your "rules" that you want me to abide by, are ludacris. Really. I've got a list of reasons against pretty much every one of them.
1. About the means of contact. I would have been more than happy to abide by that rule had your "business" phone been an actual landline tied to the shop. Not a cell phone that you also use for personal use. That doesn't fly for me a) Because I know you would try to get any clients that I may have had, telling them that they "realize that I'm still a student". I'm not a student. I'm an artist. I only needed help with a few things. Also, about email, ALL professional artists use email as means of contacting their clients. It's non personal, and easier for some. I understood about the myspace, because that could be more personal. Had you had a landline phone, again, I would have been more than happy to comply with your rule. If businesses don't have a landline, then you use personal means of contact.
2. Your "competition clause" is complete and utter bullshit. It's highly illegal. I know, because I've been conversing with Cat's father's lawyer. You can't tell me where I can and cannot work, and therefore would never hold in court. P.S. Your sheet you had me sign is not notorized either, therefore making it less credible in court.
3. Your aftercare sheet is NOT good for a tattoo. Your "personal experience" mentioned with getting tattoos is only 2 tattoos. Of which you had to have the color redone. I know the best way to heal tattoos is NOT to keep covering it with A&D. It does nothing to ward off bacteria, all it does is keep the tattoo lubricated and replentishes the vital vitamins needed to speed the healing process. However, too much A&D has been shown to actually BLUR tattoos, or make them scab worse. I know my aftercare techniques, and they work.
4. The "attitude" rule. I never gave you attitude. I never gave others attitude. If I was having a bad day, I would tell you. End of story.
5. Visitors. YOU HAD MORE THAN I EVER DID. Often times your friends or even people that you'd talk shit about, would be in the shop for HOURS at a time. Seriously. Follow your own rule.
6. The Mudslinging turns people off. EVEN FOR GET-R-DONE. A few of the people that I tattooed went to Jimbo, and were happy with their tattoos. But, thanks to your talking shit while I was tattooing them, they'll never come to you again. In general, several people that I've talked to WON'T come to you. Ever. Simply because of YOUR general attitude to clients.
7. I was never your apprentice yet you treated me like one. I needed some improvement in a few areas, given, but I was by no means an apprentice.
I've also done some talking to other shops and learned of your reputation. I've actually been told NOT to tell other shops that I worked for you. I've also heard about your "apprenticeship" at American tattoo that lasted for a week before you decided that you wanted to tattoo.
Your shop is unclean. You may keep it "sterile" to a point, but, an autoclave is REQUIRED to be in a separate room. Soaking your tubes above the toilet is a BIG no no as it creates unsanitary conditions in the bathroom. Leaving out mopwater, etc, eating next to your autoclave, even tattooing next to it, regardless of spore testing you can still infect it. Hepatitis C can live for up to 11 days open air. I have photographic evidence of all this. I've been there for 2 months and yet to see it get spore tested.
You also got people that will never come to you because of you coming over while I was still fucking tattooing them, and saying "decent" and walking off. If they're stoked about the tattoo, you can hold off on your critique until they're gone. Not while they're there.
I just think your ego got the better of you. Tonight that guy was MY client. He saw the sun I did, and WANTED me to work on him. Not you. I think you're getting upset because I was bringing in more and more clients, and getting alot better each and every day.
I am not going to pay the full amount for November and December, because as I was not allowed to tattoo full time, I will not pay full chair fee. I will pay a suitable amount for supplies used, which mainly consisted of gloves, 1 practice skin, and tubes.
You told me I could not charge more than 30 dollars, and many I did not charge for, so therefore I will not pay full price when I had a limit placed on what I could charge. Artists pay a chair fee. I wasn't treated like one, so I'm not going to pay the fee.
Also, FYI, I have 3 other shops that want me to work there. I've been talking to other shops. I'll be working by next week.
Your ego shouldn't be as big as it is. Others that have seen your work or have friends that had work done by you would rather quote "let their 3 year old tattoo them than let you come close with a needle." Often times tattoos a couple of weeks old looked like they were 50 years old. I know because I've seen it. People come to you because you're cheap, not because of your TADAA work. It's not.
Aaron
-[Aaron]-
VIEW 6 of 6 COMMENTS
peas:
vanity:
*screams*