Terrible professional tattoo shops..and do you think its right?

I was looking for shops near me for more apprentice talks since covid here is on its way to being lifted. Ive already asked the closest shops so I am going further afield. I spoke to my friend and he is fully booked until December so cant fit me in to give the attention to properly apprentice me either.

So ive found a few more shops and thought id look through their art work........I was shocked how poor some of their work is. I have seen much better on here by Tattooers who dont feel confident with their work yet and want instruction how to get better.

One shop does black and grey and has no idea about shading..Id post pics but i dont know where I stand, but they are absolutely dreadful. This is a fully licenced professional shop. I understand we all start somewhere but I certainly wouldn't open a shop and charge people for the work that these shops are doing. Ive attached a couple of pics that are very similar to what i mean.

How do other people feel? Do people get what they pay for? Deople deserve better? Should people do more research before getting inked? Will the market eventually dictate? There should be a standardised testing body?

The pictures ive attached do not belong to any shop i know. I got them off the internet.

always check portfolios.

unfortunately, talent is not a pre-req for license requirements. There are tons of shops here that put out half assed work. Sad part is people keeping going to them.

People get what they deserve if they don't research an artist. People ask me all the time for tattoos and I always tell them to go to instagram and see what I do and whether or not they like it. Some do, some are looking for something else. At least then it's not the typical "I trust you" approach...fuck that, tattoos last forever.

I agree with Mark. You HAVE to look at their portfolios. It is amazing how many people will just let you do what you want on them... Insane if you ask me.

These bad pics I mentioned are posted pride of place on insta, facebook and their own website so i agree, its easier now more than ever in history to research peoples work.
It may explain all the awful "artwork" we see on some peoples bodies.lol

Also for people who think all Tattooing is just following a transfer then they will be in for a shock. Their arrogance thinks they can do it.
Once you start a tattoo and realise the limit of your skills its a bit late.lol.

I used to always tell people I didn't want to run out of talent mid tattoo...so I said "no" lots to requests.

Them: Hey Mark...will you do a realistic hummingbird on me?
Me: I don't do realism...not comfy with it
Them: It's ok...I trust you.
Me: ...