I’m a tattoo artist, working at an independent shop. A client came in on a really very busy Saturday with a five-year-old.  

Me: Hey there, can I help you?

Client: Hello guys, I’m here for my tattoo.

Me: Do you have an appointment?

Client: Yes, of course.

After ten minutes of searching we figure out that she was booked in, but last Tuesday. She didn’t show up or message us in any way.

Client: But can you maybe transfer my appointment? I don’t want to lose my deposit.

Fair enough, I tell her that I’ll see what I can do. I’m not too keen to rebook no-shows, but I give her a second chance.

Me: No, not today I’m afraid – I’m booked for the day. The 21st is open, but I’ll have to rebook you…

She marched into the tattooing room, with her kids, while I was looking at available dates. She spotted the other tattooist who was taking a short break.

Client: But… he isn’t doing anything, he could tattoo me now.

The other tattooist had a full set up on his station – his client had just stepped out for a smoke.

Me: He’s in the middle of a session and just taking a break. I’m sorry, could you step out of here? The inner room is strictly 18+, you can’t have your kid in here. 

Client: Please! It’ll be a really quick tattoo. I’ll just keep him on my lap.

Me: Absolutely not. It’s the law and also a health and safety issue. And he doesn’t have enough time to clean up, much less prepare a new set for you.

At this point, the client started addressing the “kid in the room” problem as if it was the most pressing issue.

Client: But I have nobody to look after him. I have waited a month for my appointment, and I wanna have it done now. Could you, like, look after him in the other room? You could give him some of your pencils to draw with…

Me: I’m sorry but that’s not possible. It’s not a suitable environment for a small child and I’m not a childminder. AND we are fully booked for the day.

Client: Okay, then give my deposit back, I’m going somewhere else. What awful customer service.

Me: I’m sorry, but I have already spent five hours designing custom work for you, and a two hour canceled space you didn’t warn me about. Deposits are a thing so we don’t end up doing free work for no-shows.

Client: But I paid you!

Me: You paid me a deposit, and were given terms for that deposit.

Client: Can I talk to your manager? Who is in charge here?

Me: All of us. We all are self-employed.

Client: This is such a scam.