She had entrusted her body and her vision to the artist she chose, waiting patiently for over six months to bring her dream tattoo to life. But now, with the artist gone and her appointment handed off to an unproven apprentice, her hopes are shattered, replaced by confusion and doubt. The design she envisioned feels suddenly out of reach, replaced by uncertainty and a creeping sense of betrayal.
As the price skyrockets beyond what she had saved and planned for, the weight of disappointment presses heavy on her chest. What was once a moment of anticipation has turned into a whirlwind of anxiety and heartache, leaving her questioning not just the situation, but her own sanity in the face of this unexpected upheaval.
AITA for being angry that my tattoo artist cancelled my appt 2 wks away & will only reschedule for a higher rate?
As renowned researcher Dr. Brené Brown explains, “Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously.” In this situation, the lack of communication from the tattoo artist regarding her transfer represents a significant boundary failure, impacting the client who had planned and budgeted for this service based on the initial agreement.
The core conflict here involves unmanaged expectations and poor professional transition management. The OP booked based on a specific price point secured during a special, indicating financial planning was a key factor. The artist’s move, while positive for her career advancement, imposed severe negative consequences on the client—a nearly 500% price increase and a reassignment to an apprentice whose work quality is concerning. The OP’s desire for the original artist to honor the previous rate, or at least offer a transition discount, stems from the expectation of professional courtesy following a unilateral change that drastically altered the terms of service.
The OP’s reaction—feeling cheated and deciding not to patronize the artist in the future—is an entirely appropriate response to what feels like a breach of implicit trust and poor customer service standards during a professional transition. For future situations, service providers need to establish clear policies for honoring existing bookings when major changes (like relocation or rate adjustments) occur, perhaps offering grandfathered rates for a limited time or ensuring a clear, proactive communication plan is in place before changes are finalized.
THIS STORY SHOOK THE INTERNET – AND REDDITORS DIDN’T HOLD BACK.
The original poster (OP) is experiencing significant frustration and feels cheated after waiting six months for a specialized tattoo appointment, only to find the artist has moved shops and essentially canceled the original arrangement due to a massive price increase and an unwanted artist reassignment.
Is the OP justified in feeling angry about the lack of communication and the five-fold price hike for a long-scheduled appointment, or should they accept the change as a necessary business evolution and move on to another artist at the original shop?
