Communication: It's OK to Say 'No Thank You'

 

 As an appointment-based shop, it is important to keep the schedule organized. This means we need to know how much time to book for each client. This includes tattooing time as well as consultation time. The tattooing time is important as it keeps our artists on track, creating beautiful art, and generating their income. No tattooing, no income. Just as important, is the consultation times. This may be even more valuable to existing and new clients. It gives them an intimate setting, to discuss their tattoo wishes, and get their communication in alignment with their artist.

Being that these are valued opportunities, clients often must book their consultation in advance. Some even wait months for their turn. Therefore, it is so important to always have a healthy line of communication. Say someone has booked a consultation, but it isn't for several weeks. And when the time arrives the artist is stood up, and the client no-shows. Whether you had forgotten, or found another shop to have it done, the best thing to do is call us up and cancel as soon as you know you will not attend. It's perfectly fine to say thanks, but no thank you. We will remove your appointment, hope to hear back from you for your next tattoo, and offer that time to another person, eagerly waiting. As we mentioned before, several people are booking far in advance, and waiting patiently on the cancellation list, with different levels of anticipation. And we owe it to others to respect their time. 

Another thing to take into consideration is that consults help to fill the artist's schedule. They are meant to communicate various levels of complexity, from simple but intricate, to vast and large. Someone wanting to book 50+ hours does not take priority over someone booking 3 hours, in fact they are all treated the same on a first come first serve basis. This is why it is so important to offer that availability to someone who is able to show up. Strengthening your personal communication and accountability is not only ideal for you, but it also shows you respect the time of the artists and that of perfect strangers.