Classic Tattoo & Body Piercing

Overall I like the shop- it's varying attitudes and fun aesthetics are appealing to anyone willing to take the permanent dive into the tattoo world. However, this past time, not only was I overcharged, but my vision of a tattoo was not fulfilled. Now, I'm tempted to name the tattooer, considering one bad seed can spoil the whole lot, but I won't. I'll just say here, her name rhymes with "smelly." The key to a good tattoo is communication and if you go with the artist I did, you'll end up wondering if you were even talking to the same person when it's time for your tattoo. The last thing you want to walk into is a permanent mix-up. Now, who would I recommend? An older tough looking broad named Andrea does really fast work at great prices. Not to mention the bad ass owner, forgive me for my honesty. TA.

Best in San Marcos! Staff was great at making you feel welcome and was eager to help as soon as you walked in. My sister got a piercing done with Dave Mesa, who was extremely knowledgable and made you feel very comfortable. Highly recommend!!!!

I stopped in here a few months back to inquire about getting a tattoo touched up and expanded a bit.  I found out about this place by seeing a lady with a gorgeous tattoo and asked her where she got her ink.  I find this is a good way to find out about places and that people are quite willing to talk to you and share their experiences and usually they will be carrying the shops' card if they've satisfied with their ink.  So, came up from San Antonio to check this out, had some images in my phone of what I kinda wanted.  I go into the shop and met the artist who did the lady I mentioned above, but she wasn't available, so I met with another guy who was very, very enthusiastic about doing the tattoo in the style I wanted, the Northwest Coast Totem Pole Indian art.  The problem I encountered here was that the artist was intent on doing what he wanted to do, not what I was telling him.  He wanted to do what he saw and take up my entire shoulder, not what I asked for bud, you lost me brother.  Ultimately, when you go in for tattoo, it's your body and your tattoo, so don't be swayed by an artist trying to talk you into what makes you feel uncomfortable.  I think there's a lot of shady tattoo artis out there and they'll sucker you into getting more than what you want to jack up the price on the tattoo.  Not saying that's what happened here, but it raised the red flag for me.  Usually, most shops are going to require a deposit of anywhere from 50-75 bucks and I understand that, but the problem there is that I don't want to pay for a tattoo that I don't know what it's going to look like and I don't know how much it will cost.  I have no problem paying perhaps a 20-30 consultation fee to be used towards the price of the tattoo or if you decide not to get it, the shop keeps that fee, that seems fair and win-win for both sides.  I want to respect the artist's and shop's time, but I think I also have a right to know what's going to go on my body and an estimation of how much the work is going to cost as well.  I've found shops have widely varying policies and honestly, it all comes down to who do you trust, what's your gut telling you?  If you get a funny vibe or something doesn't feel right, walk away and look for another shop.