Running a business that revolves around time-based services, like tattooing, operates very differently from a business that sells physical products. As a tattoo artist and business owner, I provide a service that involves not only my time and skill but also preparation, consultation, and follow-up care. Unlike physical goods, my "inventory" can’t be restocked or resold, which is why we have a strict no-refund policy.
The Impact of Refunds on Time-Based Businesses:
When you purchase a service, such as a tattoo appointment, you are paying for my time. Once that time is spent, it cannot be "put back on the shelf" like a product in a store. This is the fundamental difference between time-based businesses and those that sell physical items. Here's why refunding payments, especially months later, can hurt small businesses like mine:
Taxes Are Paid Immediately: When you pay for a service, we immediately pay taxes on that transaction. If you request a refund later, those taxes have already been sent to the state. Refunding that money not only takes it out of the business, but we also don’t get the taxes back, which puts us in the negative financially.
No Way to Recoup the Time: A product can be returned, restocked, and resold by businesses that offer refunds. In contrast, my time can never be recouped once it’s spent. That’s the only reason retail businesses can offer refunds—they can get the product back, but I can’t get my time back.
Refunds Hurt Small Businesses: Issuing a refund for a service you received months ago is the opposite of supporting a small business. It undermines the efforts we put into our craft, the financial structure we’ve built, and ultimately our livelihood. While larger companies may absorb these costs, small businesses like mine feel the impact more significantly.
Refunds Must Be Done Through the Original Payment Method:
One point I’d like to stress is that refunds, if ever applicable, must be issued in the same form of payment that was originally used. It’s inappropriate to ask for a refund through a different method, and here’s why:
Accounting and Tracking Systems: We use accounting systems designed to keep everything organized and transparent for both the business and the client. Switching payment methods disrupts this flow and can cause confusion when balancing accounts or during tax filings. The system is in place to make sure everything runs smoothly, and it’s important to respect this process.
Communication Policy Update:
Due to a recent, first-time incident in 20 years, I’ve had to implement a new communication policy to ensure professionalism and clear boundaries. While I am always here to support my clients, we need to have respectful and effective communication when it comes to concerns or questions about your tattoo.
Consultations Are Required: Texting your artist excessively or expecting constant, informal updates is not the best way to handle concerns. It’s important to respect that my time is valuable both during and outside of appointments. From now on, any concerns about your tattoo must be addressed through a scheduled in-person consultation, where we can have a productive and professional conversation about your needs.
Respect the Artist’s Time and Professionalism: Blowing up an artist's phone with texts not only disrupts their workflow but is also unprofessional. A face-to-face consultation ensures that we can discuss any concerns thoroughly, and I can provide the best solution for you in a way that honors both of our time.
Supporting Small Businesses the Right Way:
I am passionate about what I do and truly care about every client who walks through my door. My goal is to provide high-quality services and ensure that my clients are satisfied with the end result. However, it’s important to remember that small businesses work hard to maintain their operations, and refund policies like mine are in place for a reason.
Supporting a small business means understanding the limitations and respecting the policies that keep it running smoothly. Whether it’s respecting the no-refund policy or following the new communication guidelines, these practices allow me to continue offering the best possible services while protecting the sustainability of my business.
Comments