being in the dentistry business, hell no lol

 

depends on the person, if you know him/her and he/she cuts you a deal. you tip them. Most likely @ 150-175..you are already paying for the service.

 

If I am already paying a reputable individual a quality rate for something that's supposed to be their craft/profession/expertise...what is the reason for a mandatory expectation for additional 15-20% (with assumption that their rates allow for appropriate profit margin)? Obviously, if they go above and beyond to exceed the excepted results...Absolutely, they have earned something extra.

I highly doubt even at $125/hour the artist is getting a minimum wage. If they are or it does not support their champagne wishes and caviar dreams, there are bigger issues at hand.

 

No, because none of those folks offer me lifetime maintenance and touch-ups for free after the initial service.

I have left a small tip for hotel room maids/cleaners on occasion though.

 

So you tipped extra and you got extra down the road? Nothing wrong with that.

Regarding the those other folks, may be because they are not seen as requiring anything additional or even vilified for what they already get? And I will beg to differ with the people that I continue to use. CPA are no different that tattoo artists, established relationships and return service go along way.

 

Okay.. I've never slipped my dentist a hundo, but I would definitely tip her because all my "work" is covered regardless of what I get done.

 

Yep. Same here, normally.

I started tipping my previous regular artist (who I haven't seen in a long time) about $100 a session when I was going back every 4-6 weeks for more work on my arm. Then, when I wanted a chest piece, he told me he sketched something for someone else, they bailed on getting it done, but he'd do it on me for free because he really wanted to do that piece. So I brought $200, tipped him that $200, and he tattooed me for 4 hours and didn't charge me a time. I figured tipping him $200 for that session was the least I could do.

$100-175/hour isn't much money when you factor in table rental and cost of materials. My artist in a 2-4 hour session will got through 5-8 pairs of gloves, ink, needles, different guns, etc. And a lot of their time is spent drafting up preliminary sketches for $50-100 - spending 3, 4, or 5 hours on that alone. Not making $175/hour tattooing.

Self employment is hard, and most people who aren't self employed don't get how much money leaves your hands just to keep your business alive, before you even take home a profit to pay your rent, put food on the table, etc.

*I'm a self employed wedding photographer. 50% of my gross income goes right out the door to taxes, equipment, accounting, software, hardware, deliverables, etc., just to keep my business legal and afloat.

 

Side note, I am looking for an artist to do some concept drawings of a full shoulder tattoo including coverup, anyone got a GOOD name that does good coverup work? (no I don't need a tramp stamp...well, wait perhaps a subaru emblem....LOL)

 

dont have any tattoos, but i feel it would be the same as tipping my bartender or barber. You'll return and you want to make sure they understand you appreciate their work. at least thats how i feel about it

 

I can provide a name only if the tattoo is a giant bear with a baseball bat hitting some knees.

 

funny....but no really I just want to get the last of the...lets just call them "home made", tattoos covered up and done with something I can live with now.

 

Gonna have to break out my knee pads.

 

Wash your mouth out with a revolver, it would be a improvement on your personality.

 

y u h8n bru

 

Just chiming in here, I guess it all really depends. If it's a simple tattoo that you're only getting one session in with an artist that you'll never see again, a tip would not be expected.

If you're going to be sitting for multiple sessions, I tip every single session until done.

I've sat on 4-6 sessions on each arm and am now on the 2nd going on most likely 8 sessions total on my back. A 10-20% tip depending on session length is usually decent.

YMMV, but I'm the type of guy who tips 20% to my barber. You never know how the next session is going to go, but a decent tip may go better because the tattoo artist recognizes you based on your tip(s).