Cynical Tattoos Shop

Category:	Tattoo Shop
Address:	2205 Lurleen B Wallace Blvd, Northport, AL 35476, USA
Phone:	+1 205-330-1070
Site:	cynicaltattoos.net
Rating:	3.7
Working:	1–9PM 1–9PM 1–9PM 1–9PM 1–9PM 1–9PM Closed

Location

Photos 25

Reviews 4

Dara Fagan

My review of Cynical Tattoos begins in late December 2013 when I dropped in for a chat with the artist. Chris Howton was his name. I asked Chris if he could do the cover up tattoo that I was looking for. He looked at my arm and said "Yes, email me some photos and I will take a look, then you can come in to discuss it further". I took the email address and left. December 30th, I emailed Chris with some ideas of what I wanted and where I would like it to be. Chris promptly responded and asked if I could take a photo of the tattoo I had and send it. I sent it. I then got another email from Chris to say: "If you can come in Wednesday at 1:00pm we can sit down and have a consultation. That way we can sit down and discuss the new piece that you are wanting and get on the same page with it". I agreed to the appointment, which I made for Jan 15th at 1:00pm. Chris responded in an email stating: "...1:00pm will be fine". So, 2.5 weeks since I first met Chris Howton, I made my way to Cynical Tattoos for my consultation. I walked in the door at 1:00pm exactly. I explained to the girl at the reception desk that I had an appointment to see Chris. She said "You will have to book a consultation".?? She then asked my name after and said, "Oh, that is Chris, right there". Chris looked up and said "Yes?". "Well? What is it? Tell me". I felt a little confused. I had booked a consultation, I had taken a day off work for the appointment, the email said "sit down and discuss". Now I could tell I was not the only one booked for 1:00pm, which didnt bother me so much: simply ask me if it was possible to wait or come back. Chris did not seem happy to do this, the approach he took was basically to cut me down in front of his staff and approx 8-10 customers. For what? I forgot I was the one that made an appointment almost 2 weeks in advance. Chris begun to tell me, basically, that he was a top, top tattoo artist; which I do not dispute. He went on to tell me, after I was hoping I would save him some time by drawing something for him to go from, "If you draw something up for me, I will throw it in the garbage" - Charming. Chris was not done cutting me down, he explained, "I get phone calls from people in Oregon, California, Canada asking me to draw their tattoos, they dont need a second opinion when they get here". Again, I never once questioned Chriss artistic capability, nor his ability as a tattoo artist. I think he is very gifted in those areas. What I was beginning to question was - whether Chris was socially retarded and maybe the store should think about hiding him in the back when there is the need for explaining something to a customer. Chriss non-evident irritations with me became a little more clear when he explained, basically, "It is tax season, I have a full appointment book, does it look like I need money". I have read this somewhere, I think it was in a book - "The Fundamentals of Running a Business" - (in the words of Chris Howton). It seemed Chris was still not happy with me in the store. I figured this, when he turned to his reception lady and said "If he wants a consultation, its $100 and he will have to book an appointment. So, I am thinking Chris had forgotten the email he sent me stating that I had already had an appointment booked for 1:00pm and "my" time as the customer was being wasted with him being as rude as possible. I have not mentioned the fact that I am an extremely polite and mannerly person myself. The strange thing is, Chris was not aware that I spared his feelings with all the customers in the store and chose not to chew him out and lose him any business initially. If I had time, I could have explained to Chris that all business, is business and all customers should be treated equally. I have no idea what I did to upset Chris, I was very polite. I am from Ireland, I am wondering if my accent made me sound rude, but I have never had that issue before. I was hopeful of an apology, no hope.

A Private User

Im very confused, because this parlor has gotten stellar reviews. My experience wasnt stellar. I wanted one tattoo on my side and another on my wrist. I went in and explained what I wanted, and got an appointment for the following Monday at 3:00 pm. Over the weekend, I decided I wanted to incorperate both tattoos into one tattoo, and make it into a band wrapping around my upper arm. I called at 10:30 am and left a message stating as much, and said to call me if they had any questions, and if not I would see them at 3:00. I arrive at 3:00 and the gentleman who is going to be giving me my tattoo shows me what he has drawn, which was not what I wanted. He didnt call me to be sure about what I was requesting, he just drew what he saw in his head without any clarification from me. He seemed to get annoyed when I didnt want exactly what he had drawn. I expressed to him what I wanted, and also stated I would pay extra to make up for the time he spent drawing something I didnt want. He said he didnt like to do bands because the human body is not a straight line. He then told me to make a decision because he was losing money just standing there. I was the only client in the shop except one other guy being tattood by the other artist. I have 6 tattoos and every time the artist wanted to make sure it was what I wanted before they permanently etched it on my body. Dont ever let a tattoo artist rush you into getting something you dont want! A great artist wouldnt do that anyway.

Taylor Cupcakee

Absoutely AMAZING. This was my fourth tattoo and also a cover up of my first tattoo. It was my best experience getting a tattoo done. David was so so great and did exactly what I wanted, I was pretty difficult since it was a cover up and I wanted so much. He did it for a super low price. The other shop that I was thing of going to told me 200-250 ( for a 3in by 2in tattoo) He only charged me 80 and added some color into it, which made it look great! Hes got a super light hand and does amazing work. Cynical Tattoos itself is super clean, probably one of the cleanest shops Ive gone into. Im so thankful to the staff here for dealing with my confusion and demands, they did an great job and I will continue to promote them versus their competitors.

A Private User

Just got my first tat here and both of the artists are super professional they might take longer than your hepatitis hole in the wall joints but thats because they are going to put the time and care into getting it right and both are the best around at what they do. Your going to be satisfied with their work and the price! Just like the review above mine says this place really is like a doctors office, super clean, nice couches! Very friendly environment too! Not intimidating at all! Ill definately be going back!!! Check out there website too!