It's been almost a year since I got my first tattoo ever. I regret nothing in choosing to have it done at Pain & Wonder. Even from outside the studio, I could tell the shop was clean, well lit, friendly, everything you could ask for whether you're getting your 1st tattoo or your 100th.
I worked with Mike Groves for a few weeks on what exactly I wanted. He put in time at the studio and at home, emailing pictures to me, coming up with multiple sketches and dealing with my picky, perfectionist approach to my first piece. Now, almost a year later, I have a Mike Groves original piece that you can't find on anyone else anywhere in the world, and I grow more and more fond of it every time I look at it. It's perfect.
I've been spoiled from my first experience. I will not go anywhere else for a tattoo from now on. Each artist doesn't just sport his or her own unique style, but lends their soul to each piece they create. It's not their job, it's their passion. You can get a tattoo anywhere, but if you want something unique and special, something more than the typical tattoo you'll find at any seedy biker bar, Pain & Wonder is the only choice to make.
Pain and Wonder is fantastic! Every artist is extremely knowledgeable, professional, and talented; they each have their own individual style with brings much life and variety to the shop. My artist, Mike Groves, has been tattooing me for 3 1/2 years and I have always been blown away by his work. No matter what style of a tattoo you're wanting, you're bound to connect with an artist there that can exceed your expectations and give you phenomenal body art that you can share for a lifetime. I have also received two piercings by Randy over the last couple years and he is incredible. You really cannot find a shop much better than this.
Review Source:Holy $hi+ this place sucks. Â Just went in for a piercing consult and I was so underwhelmed and disgusted by the piercers attitude. Â I preface this by saying I have been pierced many times, in many places... Other than my ears. Â I simply wanted a nostril piercing. Â Furthermore, I have an entire back piece that I have added to over the past few years that is very large. Â I have been to many tattoo studios. Â This place, from the get go, was a let down. Â Save your cash, apparently, the artists here don't need it. Â The out of date too cool for school persona reigns supreme here. Â I suggest that you go elsewhere.
An hour later:
I went in to Walk the Line tattoo and this place was approachable and I had a great conversation with John Collins. Â I didn't get work today, but I'd suggest this place over my earlier review any day.
For the love of god do not go to this place! I went with my friend to get her nose pierced and the lady was SO RUDE to us (and the people behind us). Â We ended up walking out and going somewhere else in Athens that was much nicer. Â I have honestly never been treated like that in my life. Â I don't care how laid back of a business it is, no company should allow their employees to treat paying customers the way we were treated. Â If you value your time and money take my advice and GO SOMEWHERE ELSE! Â You can get the same (or likely better) services and be treated like a normal human being.
Review Source:RUDE. I am never EVER given them any business due to their lack of customer service and policy on tattoos.
I went there with my friend who is interested in getting her first tattoo, and they are apparently unwilling to work with a new client. All she wanted to get was a sketch of a possible tattoo (a five-letter word, maybe 1" by 2") to get an idea of what 1) it would look like and 2) the artist was capable of doing. They were unwilling to even do such a sketch unless we made an appointment and put a $60 deposit down. They said they didn't want just random people coming off the street (we were not random, we were interested in tattoos) who are not serious about getting a tattoo (we were but wanted to shop around before picking the perfect place) just getting free sketches. I don't know about the rest of you, but I need to have confidence in an artist before I make any decision on who to go with. Just like a doctor or anyone else who does work on my body.
Also, they said they were "too busy" (only one customer in the shop and there was one other woman working there not doing anything) Seriously, sketching this would probably take all of 2 minutes. Â It's not like it's a huge piece or anything. Why would anyone put a deposit down for a two minute sketch that we may ultimate dislike? They are clearly unwilling to work for our business.
I understand this policy is to ensure business, but they are really shutting out first time tattoo-ees who are more timid about the process than their regular customers may be.
this review is really more for the piercing studio--virtue and vice--that is inside pain and wonder. Â I really like this piercing studio. Â the facilities are hospital-clean. Â randy is very experienced and good at what he does. Â he even stayed after hours one day when i had an ear piercing swell and i badly needed a longer post. Â he is great about explaining care of your piercing and how he protects you in the sterile environment. Â this is not your run of the mill piercing studio--these are true professionals and they are educators in the piercing community as well. Â especially good in a college town where students don't really always know what they're doing. Â trust your body to these folks! Â they are somewhat pricey on the piercing but pretty reasonable on the jewelry. Â just remember, you get what you pay for when it comes to piercing.
Review Source:I had my nose pierced here a few years back and was very pleased with them. Â As it was my first non-ear piercing, I was pretty nervous, but the woman who worked with me was very patient and reassuring. Â
The shop is very clean and bright, and the instruments they use are sterile and very safe. Â
I called back a few weeks afterwards because I was worried about a small bump that had appeared by my piercing. Â She talked me through it and explained that it was something called a keloid, which is a pretty common type of scarring that occurs with piercings, and that it would most likely go away on its own, but offered a few suggestions on how to deal with it. Â Overall, I was very impressed with this place!
I absolutely love this tattoo studio. Â I got one of my tattoos here and it was an extremely pleasant experience. Â The staff is incredibly friendly but my favorite artist here is Mike Groves he is very nice and put me at ease about the three birds I was getting tattooed on my left ribcage because I was a bit nervous. Â He did a great job and has a killer personality! Â If you're in Athens and thinking about getting a tattoo definitely check this place out!
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