We made appointments for tats back in October with Ami and Nunez. They set an appointment for March. End of December we got a letter cancelling out appointments due to filming (after we purchased plane tickets). In Feb. we got two messages from "Miami Ink Casting", and they never returned our calls. We went there anyway last week. The show is exactly a "SHOW". They had wall to wall people waiting to get little flash tats by two unknown artists (not even Yoshi was working – probably appearing on a publicity tour). You had to tell the receptionist what tat you wanted and where before you were even put on the list. There was not consultation with the artist. The waiting list was only three hours. They were going to Tat TWENTY PEOPLE IN THREE HOURS! This is not the artistic integrity the show portrays. Needless to say we walked out. Even the street outside is blocked - on the show there is never anyone walking by and the guys can always park right out front. In reality, this street is PACKED! They obviously block for the show. ONCE AGAIN TELEVISION IS HANDING US A BUNCH OF garbage TITLED REALITY!!

Its called get informed before hand. Dont be a naive consumer.

Stuff happens and appointments get cancelled in real life. You were the ones who decided to buy the plane tickets.

If you expected anything more than what you got, your fault, not theirs.

Shame you lost out on your tattoos, but there are many awesome artists, just as good if not better, than the ones on MI.

Its like going to buy a car when you saw the ad on TV without knowing there was a car just as good, much cheaper, just around the corner.

I hear ya - but I was completely informed. I sent a deposit check with digital pictures per their instructions back in October. I spoke on the phone with their rep. three times.

It is NOT naive to purchase a plane ticket after having an appointment for three months! This......is simply bad business!

Sorry.

Not uncommon though, your experience.

It is a reality show not reality. Not real.

Still filming in June.

Won't be able to get in with any of the guys unless you have been approved by the casting department.

Sorry.

Wait until filming is over. Make an appointment when they are not.

We had really high hopes! I hope you have much better luck!!

Apply through casting.

See what happens.

Better chance of getting tattooed by Ami that way.

Try it.

Have faith.

Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by taylortorg:
I hear ya - but I was completely informed. I sent a deposit check with digital pictures per their instructions back in October. I spoke on the phone with their rep. three times.

It is NOT naive to purchase a plane ticket after having an appointment for three months! This......is simply bad business!

I agree that it is bad business. But hey, when you have people lining up miles down the road for a tattoo from you, what do you care about one person being out so much money?

While they are great artists, the whole concept of the show and of tattoos on the show has gone overboard IMO.

The show started off great, showing tattoos, how they are done, the stories behind them. The first year casting wasn't a huge issue. But I really think they have gotten way too big for what they do and are now casting tattoos and the tattoo industry in a different light.

As I said, there are plenty of amazing tattoo artists throughout the world. I'd much prefer helping out a local great artist who has just as much talent if not more than these guys and gal, who are now stuck in the limelight and raking in the dough.

I completely agree! They have become 'rock stars'. I don't think I would have attempted making an appointment if I had seen season 2. I mean - I had no intention of wearing a shirt with my breasts exposed talking about having a memorial tattoo for a dead loved one, placed right about my butt crack.

In fact, I have found an amazing artist right here in Minnesota.

quote:

In fact, I have found an amazing artist right here in Minnesota.

Do tell about the amazing MN artist! Is it Megan Hoogland? I'm in ND and that's where I'm hoping to go this summer, but it's a 6 hour drive for me. If your amazing artist is closer...

Indeed, it is Megan Hoogland at Cactus Tattoo. I have made the initial contact. I will let you know what I find out. I would like to have a consultation with her first.

Cactus is a great shop in MN.
http://www.cactustattoo.com/ for those who want to check out some of the work.

Other great MN shops:
Leviticus
http://www.leviticus.com/

Uptown Tattoo
http://www.uptowntattoo.com/uptown.html

Twilight Tattoo
http://www.twilighttattoo.com/

I too would be disappointed after getting an appointment with them and then it being cancelled.

But that happens. They seem pretty busy there.

Hopfully you will get a chance to get one still. I would just go there and walk in, or wait inline and see what happens.

Good luck

quote:

Originally posted by taylortorg:
There was not consultation with the artist. The waiting list was only three hours. They were going to Tat TWENTY PEOPLE IN THREE HOURS!

This is very disconcerting. The show has done quite a bit to improve the image of tattoos as NOT just trendy, and what you describe seems to be a step backward.

I'm glad you found a good artist close to home, there are plenty of good ones out there!

quote:

Originally posted by taylortorg:
Indeed, it is Megan Hoogland at Cactus Tattoo. I have made the initial contact. I will let you know what I find out. I would like to have a consultation with her first.

Definitely let me know what you find out. I've emailed, but I haven't gotten a response. I'll call eventually, but I don't want to seem like a pest. Megan's work is incredible.

I just talked to Megan, and we have an appointment on April 9th for consultation.

I don't think you are being a pest if you call - it is a business. After the Miami Ink experience, if someone doesn't want to tat you - don't bother.

I'll post after April 9th, and let you know how it goes.

bigtwinky -
Thanks for the links - very impressed with these shops!

quote:

Originally posted by taylortorg:
I just talked to Megan, and we have an appointment on April 9th for consultation.

I don't think you are being a pest if you call - it is a business. After the Miami Ink experience, if someone doesn't want to tat you - don't bother.

I'll post after April 9th, and let you know how it goes.

Oooooh! That's fantastic! I'm really happy for you

I guess I'll be calling soon!

hey sorry about your delima with miami ink, my good friend lives in south beach and works not to far from their shop, she says their are tons of girls always hanging around and she is dreading trying to get to work when they start filming again, but really can you imagine how many people want to just be on tv? and i guess the guys are getting to big for their britches as my grandmother says. oh well maybe season 3 will be good.

Hey thanks. I'm a girl and I just wanted a great tattoo. As your friend said - South Beach is crazy!! We could hardly get through the door with all of the people taking pictures. They are still great artists ....tho I worry about the egos. By and by, your grandmother sounds pretty informed!

Funny you say that cuz when I watch the show, they sometimes stand outside and there is no one around.

How...misleading