I'm beginning to become cynical in regards to Yelp reviews and My experience with this business is a good example why.
Having recently moved to the area, I had no knowledge of Red Spaghetti other than driving past it a few times a day. When I decided I wanted some more ink, I came here to read the reviews.
What initially struck me as odd is that there are only two reviews for this business, which is in a prominent location and must have a large enough clientele to stay open. What was even more odd is that each review is very negative, each of the two reviewers have only reviewed this one business and one of the reviewers are anonymous, uses the username "FU" (as in "f*ck you) and uses really negative wording.
I understand not being happy with a good or service, but to create a Yelp account to solely slam one particular business seems more of a personal vendetta than an attempt to fairly inform the consumer. If either of the Red Spaghetti reviewers had reviewed other businesses and had positive statements for at least a handful of them, I might take their attack of this business seriously.
Still, I wasn't sure if this would be the place for me to get a permanent piece of art added to my body's collection. I've had both excellent and poor tattoo work in the past. I put the plan on the back burner. In the meantime, I have managed to meet a handful of folks in my new town. Of the 6 with ink, ALL of them had a fair share of their work done here and ALL of them had nothing but great things to say.
So, I met with the owners today for a consult and Q&A. I've learned my lesson to not blindly walk into a tattoo shop without doing my research. They were both wonderfully, accommodating, no-B.S. people. I asked them about their reviews and got a little more of the back story. Seems I was right in being skeptical of the previous reviews and my gut tells me this was one of the better tattoo shops I've been in.
Tattoos are art. And tattoo shops are regulated businesses. I find it completely fair to expect the professionalism I received today and find it completely appropriate for a tattoo artist to set boundaries that are not historically associated with tattoo parlors of yesteryear in a Singapore shack full of drunk sailors.
It takes integrity to refuse to tattoo someone who is wasted or high. It takes professionalism to require the client show up on time for an appointment. And it takes honor and respect (for both the artist & the canvas) to realistically approach the content and design you are about to permanently place on someone's body.
Many years ago, I told a tattoo artist "I WANT THIS!", failing to respect his experience and knowledge. He begrudgingly gave me what I wanted and it turned out to be my worst, most distorted piece ever, Â just as he said. I should have listened to him with respect for his insight. I should have accepted that it wasn't a great idea. He should have been professional enough to risk losing income rather than ink my crappy design.
After meeting with Red Spaghetti, I am not only excited by the talent they displayed, but by the integrity with which they create a warm, receptive environment. Luckily, I am willing to negotiate on my new design to assure that my tattoo artist can give me the best piece I could receive, rather than bitch about not getting my way on my own terms, on my own timeline. As it appears the previous "vendetta reviewers" we're unable to do.
Ya, Yelp reviews need to be taken with a large dose of salt. So, don't go here based on my review. Go here based on 20 years of great word-of-mouth and go here to first feel it out. I am confident you will be pleasantly surprised.
I have been going to Red Spaghetti for 12 years. I started out slow and ended up getting an entire "sock" from knee to ankle on my right leg. I am now working on the left leg and it is all intricate Viking work and all completely original and Ernie has always taken the time to make sure I am completely comfortable with the design and his suggestions always make the tattoo much better.
i would recommend Red Spaghetti to anyone without hesitation and I will not go anywhere else for my tattoos.
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