All Star Tattoo — Local services in Maplewood

A friend and I came here for a pretty simple tattoo- not a tattoo that needed to be drawn out or anything. We walked in probably about 4 or maybe 5 hours before close, and the front desk lady was awesome- super friendly and prompt in giving us the paperwork to fill out. After that, we waited for about an hour and a half- which isn't the reason for the rating since I know I didn't make an appointment. A tattoo artist came out to meet us- I don't remember his name, he was an older guy, and I explained what I wanted (a Pontiac firebird) on the inside of my left calf above my ankle. I showed him the size I wanted and he came back with something MUCH bigger, I asked him to make it smaller, he reduced it a tiny bit, and this happened a couple more times and he said 'sorry I can't do it any smaller than that- that's just going to have to do'. I go into his little shop corner, everything is clean etc. so that's good. I sit down and adjust my leg until he says all good, and he says 'you're going to want to lay back'. I said 'I'm fine for right now actually I like to watch my tattoos get done' and he said 'no you're going to want to lay back', and then lowered the chair. I told him how I wanted it colored in and he said he couldn't do that at all (just a basic black and a yellow tone, nothing crazy). He had just gotten the ink out and thank GOD I decided to ask him how much it was going to cost. He said 300!!!!!! This is a tattoo not even 3 inches square, with no detail, no drawing, only one color. I ask him 'okay that's a little high what if I just did the outline' and he said "250, the outline is all the work, have you never gotten a tattoo before? They're expensive' I said 'okay I guess I'll come back some other time' fully planning not to, and then paid my $50 deposit and left. The next day I went to my shop that I normally go to, for the same design but with the colors where I wanted them and everything, for $100 (not including tip), with much better customer service. This happened back in January and I just never posted a review, but tonight I was looking for a new shop to try out and came across this one and just had to...

**Just FYI: I have not been paid by, received a discount from, been asked to, nor have I had the opportunity to return to this establishment since the initial review. I just think we concentrate too much on complaining about the negative side of business, when I know I'd rather look up reviews on a business and be able to see/read through more positive remarks and recommendations.

11/7/19 I would just like to add to this review...You can absolutely find a cheaper price on a tattoo, believe me, I've checked around on both sides of the river...BUT...let's face it, this is PERMANENT!! So you want the best. I'm sure primarily due to location and overhead, the prices here aren't quite as competitive as some parlors, but trust me...QUALITY IS WORTH EVERY PENNY!! My daughter went to a closer, cheaper parlor for her 2nd and 3rd tattoos, and ended up having a reaction to the ink or something, that made both tattoos bumpy, and fade in spots (and yes, they have offered to correct both, but when the bumps go away - and they do not appear to be going away, and it's been months!). I do not believe that that would ever happen at this place!! There is a great work ethic there and a pride in their work that you just don't find often enough anymore!

The drive was worth every penny!! We live about a half of an hour away, (& believe me, that's a big deal to my husband, lol) and after all was said and done even my husband was completely impressed as well. I'm even considering having my one and only tattoo colored in there, and I swore that I would NEVER do that! If it were up to me, no one in my family would get a tattoo anywhere else (unless my husband did it himself!). So please, take some time and put back a little extra (because he absolutely deserves as big of a tip as you can give him!) and get a beautiful WORK OF ART instead of just a tattoo!!!

Very nice people. Large parlor, very clean & aesthetically pleasing. Waiting area is large as well as comfortable. The owner gave my daughter her 1st tattoo. Amazing artist, quick, no bleeding & very little redness. Tattoo is PERFECT!! I highly...

If you have an allergy to metals, do NOT go here to get pierced. They are not APP certified, which means they aren't held to high quality standards, including hygiene, quality metals, and other best practices. I'm writing another review because it wouldn't let me edit or respond to my previous review. When I initially called and asked about the issues I was having with my piercings, I was told to go to the doctor. I don't know who I talked to, but when I explained what was going on and asked if I should come in for them to take a look, she told me to go to the doctor, I can't help you.. this is why I went to another piercer and found out they lied about the metal put into my body. When I called back a second time and asked about the metal, she told me they only have surgical steel and are in the process of phasing it out.They lied in response to my initial review and said they definitely have high-quality titanium, which they don't. I'm very allergic to any metal that has nickel in it and SPECIFICALLY asked the piercer if it was titanium. Instead of lying and piercing me with steel, they should have told me, we don't have titanium and recommended another piercer. I had to take one of my nipple piercings out because it was done wrong, and after I exchanged the other one for actual titanium, I've had no issues. I don't appreciate being lied to, especially online lying to everyone else who might have this issue. So, no i will not be coming back to have consistent care from the...