Are you ready for the last of the horror stories? I don’t know if there is a lesson here or if this story will enlighten you in any way, but for us at TAT International who lived it, it was truly a horror story.

About two and a half years ago, Natasha called Kirk. She had wanted to get into the tat business but she could not afford a Starter System. She wanted to purchase the basics to get started and wanted to know if we had any used equipment she could buy. We put together a set of used items and Kirk got back to her with the price. The package included everything she would need to start her business. And although it was not our policy to finance used equipment, he did agree to let her finance the purchase.

The summer was almost over before we got a call from Boris, who was Natasha’s boyfriend. He said they were so desperate for money, their tattoo business was not working for them and would we “please, please, please” consider letting them return the equipment. “They really needed the money.”

At first Kirk said we would not take it back because we do not offer a return on used equipment. However, Boris was persistently calling and pleading, he sounded so desperate, by this time we all were feeling a little sad for the couple. Kirk thought he would help them out. He told Boris to pack the system up, send it back to us and we would see what we could work out. This made Boris and Natasha happy.

A week or so later a peculiar looking box was delivered to TAT International. The UPS delivery man wheeled the box in to the back of the shop. He pointed out that the box looked all beat to #@#* but it had been taped up pretty well on the outside. We saw from the return address that the beat-up box was from Natasha. Upon opening the package, we were astounded to say the least. We found that Natasha had sent all her equipment back in one box without any packing material. No bubble wrap, no packing peanuts, not even a newspaper. She had put a stencil organizer box, a 40# compressor, ink, posters, and an airbrush gun all in the same box. The tape on the outside of the box was the only thing holding the box together. The compressor had done a pretty good job smashing everything in the box. The ink covered the entire contents of the box. This was such an amazing spectacle of destruction, we took pictures.

Now Kirk had the distasteful job of calling to give the bad news to Boris and Natasha. When Kirk called, Boris answered the phone. Kirk gave the bad news to him and explained that everything had been destroyed because they did not use any packaging materials. Even if they had insured the package, the cost would not be covered because of negligence in packaging.

“We can send you pictures. There is nothing left”. Kirk said.

“I want my money back.” Boris said.

Kirk explained in every which way to Boris why he was not entitled to any refund. Not to mention that the system had been financed and TAT International was on the hook for most of the lost equipment.

Boris only saw things his way. He kept demanding “I want my money back.”

I had been out of town for a few days and returned to work as soon as I drove back into town. As I walked in the door at TAT International the phone was ringing and no one was making any effort to answer it. Kirk looked up from his computer and said to me “Don’t answer that.” I thought that was strange but I followed orders. The phone stopped ringing and I started to work on the items in my in box. The phone started to ring again. Nobody was answering it so I picked it up. “TAT International” I answered.

“I WANT MY MONEY.” The voice on the other end screamed into the receiver.

Kirk looked at me and said “I told you not to answer it. Just hang up.”

I did as I was told and now wanted to know what was going on.

Kirk said Boris had been calling the shop for two days non stop. Believe it or not he had made over 200 calls in one day. Yes, over 200 calls on the toll free 800 number. Out of curiosity, when we got the bill we counted the calls from Boris and 200 was the most in one day. When any one answered the phone, he just screamed into the receiver “I want my money.” He used profanities if any female employee answered the phone. He cursed, threatened and screamed at whoever answered the phone. Yes this was truly a nightmare for anyone who answered the phone. All of our employees were a little shaken. We didn’t know if he was going to appear at the shop with a gun, mail us a bomb or who knows what. Not to mention the fact that he tied up our phone lines and our message machine so we could not help any of our customers.

The solution was in the works. Kirk had called the phone company and we were just waiting for the authorities to take care of the situation. The phone company said we needed to file and sign a complaint with the local Sheriff department. Then our local Sheriff department would contact the local authorities in the city where Boris and Natasha lived and they would pay a visit to the couple and tell them to stop the phone calls or harassment charges would be filed against them. After we contacted the authorities, it took about a day and a half before the phone calls finally stopped.

A few days later we got a call from Natasha. Kirk was a little surprised to hear from her and he explained to her everything that had happened with the return of the damaged goods and the nightmare with Boris and all his phone calls. Natasha seemed surprised to hear the entire story and said “I didn’t know all this happened. When will I get my check?”

Kirk kept his composure and calmly explained that because all of the equipment had been destroyed due to improper packaging, there would be no check issued for the returned box of trash.

Natasha was furious. She threatened to get an attorney and sue us.

Kirks response: “I hope you do, but don’t call here again.”

We did get a letter from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with a letter from Natasha. We responded to the complaint and never heard back from Boris, Natasha, the BBB or any attorney.