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i dont understand some people, did you not have a conversation with this client about the tattoo being done ? was the artwork being freehanded or did you blindfold the client or what?this one cracks me up everytime i hear it. i am sure that if you did the tattoo the way that it was to be done then you did nothing wrong. so dont let it bum you out. some people just want something for nothing. sounds like they didnt want to pay you for your work. that happens from time to time. some people are just assholes so dont stress over them. we as artist get messed with all the time from no shows to working are ass off on something just to have someone change their mind about everything and say well when i get the money i will come back. meaning that they where broke to begin with. i have learned that you have to be able to call people out on their bullshit.(nicely of course) and just move on. you cant make everyone happy. life is too short to care about some cheap ass. just use it as a learning curve and keep doing the best that you can . after a while you will get to a point to where nothing will shock you with people. lol hope this helps

Actually, that answer made my day :) thank you :)

you are so welcome,glad i could help.

Firstly charge a deposit for all drawing requested, if the client wants an idea before committing to the deposit then wack out a quick sketch for him/her on the spot, they like the idea and accept the deposit, your at least covered for that time.

when they return for the tattoo you can go through your drawing/design with them. Its also your responsibility to be as thorough with your explanation and expectations of what the end result will be. Try to understand that 99% of our clients are not artists and so cannot picture the end results as we can, they dont know what works and what doesn't.

at the end of the day always remember that that client is paying your bills and at the same time has the ability to gain you more work or put your name in the dirt. Dont be cocky/ obnoxious or such, be polite, honest and humble with each and every client, if you cannot be like so with a particular client then dont put needles in their skin.

if all has gone well up till the client sees the finished piece and dislikes the end result, find out politely what they do not like about it, be humble. Then find a way to add the changes or make them a bit more comfortable with what you have given them.

i notice very often that a lot of tattoo artists have very bad attitudes off the bat and very often dont treat clients as well as they should, call it pride or whatever but it is not on. You should feel blessed to have a client there on your bed wanting your work, so treat them that way.

as Jason said, some people are just broke and wish to try and rape you at the end but its your job to notice that right from the start. Many careers or crafts require one to be able to read people very well from the get go, tattooing is one of those, if you cannot read people at least adequately then you should not be in the business, your putting things on peoples bodies for life, its not a game, bottom line, treat all your customers like gold and learn to read people very well or you will have some very hard times.