What exactly is “Tattoo Layaway” anyway?

Levi & Lili strives to be as accommodating and accessible as possible to everyone. We hate to feel left out and we don’t like anyone else to feel left out either! So while we try to be both physically and emotionally here for anyone who might want to come in (hello tattoo & piercing therapy), we understand being fiscally accommodating can be a little bit harder.

With the rise of easy credit and transfer payments (ie: CashApp, Zelle, Venmo), ‘buy now, pay later’ credit systems like Klarna, it’s getting harder and harder to navigate who takes what type of payment. We also don’t want you going into debt or going hungry over a new tattoo or piercing. So we’re kicking it a little bit old school. Or at least announcing and explaining something we’ve always been happy to do: Tattoo Layaway.

Remember Layaway? Maybe you remember your parents using layaway, especially around holidays or birthdays? It’s basically a deposit, but instead of a partial deposit to hold your appointment it’s a cash deposit that waits until you’ve paid your balance in full, then on tattoo day there is no further cash exchanging hands necessary. You just come in, have a relaxing visit to Ye Olde Tattoo Shoppe, and walk out with some new art.

What is layaway?
A payment plan in which a buyer reserves an article of merchandise by placing a deposit with the retailer until the balance is paid in full.

How does Tattoo Layaway work?

It’s so easy. Schedule your consultation. Gather your ideas, any inspiration you might have, images of things you like, even images of things you don’t like so our artists know what not to do. During your consult you’ll discuss things like your overall idea, size, placement, areas you want the artist to run with their imagination and areas that have to be exactly as imagined, no changes. During this time you’ll also have a chance to discuss your budget and what the artist expects the cost to be. Here is where layaway comes in.

You put down your deposit. 100% of your non-refundable deposit always goes towards your tattoo. Layaway takes that idea and cranks it to 11. Layaway is not your deposit and is refundable in specific situations. You prepay your entire tattoo. Once your balance is paid in full you book your appointment. Your appointment day comes. You slide in, you’ve eaten, maybe you bring a drink with you, we get you in the chair, and that’s it! At the end of your sesh there is no extra painful part of paying because you took care of that up front!

Here is an example with entirely imaginary numbers:

• You have your consultation appointment.
• You leave your non-refundable tattoo appointment deposit (usually $50 – $100). This total amount is applied towards your future appointment.
• You decide you want to take advantage of not paying a cent on tattoo day and make layaway deposits.
  • Unlike your non-refundable deposit, this total is tracked until your new tattoo is paid in full and you have your appointment. This portion is refundable (minus the appointment deposit).
  • Example: Your tattoo has been priced at $500. You make a $100 appointment deposit, which means you now “owe” $400 on tattoo day. You continue to make as many payments as needed to pre-pay the additional total due – from $5 on up. We’re flexible like that. As soon as it’s paid in full your appointment can be set! In the meantime, if you find out your car needs a new serpentine belt or your kid needs a new retainer, all but your deposit is fully refundable. Let’s say you’ve made a $100 deposit and $300 in layaway payment – the $300 is fully refundable, the deposit is not and will be held until your make your appointment or until forfeited.

Tattoo Layaway payments are best made in actual cash, which we’ll turn around and store directly in our safe, not in the cash register. This keeps your cash safely stored and separate from our daily transactions. We can take digitally transferred layaway payments, we get that it’s easier!, but actual cash means you have a tangible stack right here in the shop. We will not take credit card payments in advance – this is a cash/cash transfer only situation.

Now that we’ve hopefully detailed how Tattoo Layaway works, can we help you book your consultation? Text 754-200-1888 or DM LLTC on IG @levililitattoo to get started today!