They took my deposit and then completely ghosted me.
In early June I filled out the form to request a custom piece done, I wanted a portrait of my recently passed dog. I currently live in Austin TX for school and was going to be visiting...
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They took my deposit and then completely ghosted me.
In early June I filled out the form to request a custom piece done, I wanted a portrait of my recently passed dog. I currently live in Austin TX for school and was going to be visiting family in Seattle mid-august and was hoping to get an appointment during the week I'm there - I made this very clear in the form. Seraphim's assistant, Ryan, emailed me a few days later saying Seraphim would be willing to work on a piece for me, that my limited availability could be accommodated, and asked for me to send reference and placement photos. I did so, and waited several days for a response. After about a week I reached back out. Another week, I reached out again, then Ryan responded, apologized for the delay, gave me the quote and the details regarding the deposit/scheduling an appointment once the deposit is received, and asked for a couple more reference photos.
I sent the 90 dollar deposit two days later, and sent them another email to let them know and ask for the link to be sent to schedule the appointment (as made clear in their last email). That was July 5th.
It's now been almost 3 weeks. I have reached out several times, and in my most recent email I decided I was no longer interested in getting a tattoo done by her due to this lack of communication, and I requested to have my money sent back to me since I was never able to schedule an appointment. I once again have yet to hear back.
I realize that deposits are nonrefundable, but that only makes sense to me if you're able to schedule an appointment in the first place. I never did, so I never took ANY of Seraphim's time that she might've been able to give to another client, which ultimately is the point of having a deposit - so the artist is at least somewhat compensated if a client backs out at the last minute.
But since I never got to make an appointment, they just took my money. I sent the deposit in good faith before scheduling the appointment, and now I'm out 90 bucks.
As a college student, 90 dollars is a lot of money. It's a commitment, and it was one that I was prepared for and fully willing to make, on the assumption that I was working with professionals who wouldn't screw me over as soon as I sent the money.
I'm very disappointed in this conduct. I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt, maybe it was an honest mistake and they lost my email, but with how long it's been and my multiple attempts at reaching out (even in separate email threads), I can naturally only assume the worst intent. Take this as a warning.
I've attached screenshots of the emails to show just how long I've been trying to get in touch with them.