Rick's Tattoos

I went in last minute to get a simple tattoo in  honor of my Mom as today would have been her birthday. Troy was taking walk-ins and since it was a really simple item, I wasn't worried about the artist. He took his time and gave the same attention that you would expect for a detailed piece. I plan to get another back piece and he is at the top of my list! The place was clean, professional and the staff friendly. Only note is about parking. Turn down the alley next to the shop and there is a parking lot. This was my 4th tattoo so I can judge shops and this one is high on the list.

Cool side story, Troy worked with the artist that did my second tattoo. Art done in two different states and they worked together in yet another state. It really is a small world :-)

Came in to get a simple tattoo because I was in town. An artist with a ponytail and face tattoos was the one that was available. I showed him a photo of what I wanted with some additions that were pretty simple. I have a lot of tattoos so I have a pretty good understanding of what a good tattoo should look like and what I got was far from it. Supposedly they charge $150 an hour. My tattoo took about 45 min and cost me $200. The quality and the line work came out to be that of a home tattoo. Crooked thick lines, shading was non existent, letters weren't finished at first till I pointed it out and he went over them. I pointed out the crooked lines and he said he wasn't a machine and that it happens. Then he slapped on a napkin and some tape and sent me on my way. Long story short this tattoo is going to have to get fixed by my regular artist back home. It's not completely awful but it's far from good. I would stay away if you want quality work for your money.

After a lot of research, I went in to see Craig at Ricks. I had heard that he was an excellent piercer and wanted to see for myself. He is fantastic, knowledgable, cleanly, and very friendly. He gets a 100% awesomeness rating. So why the low overall rating? I felt that the shop itself was unsanitary. He wasn't piercing in a room separated from everything else, so just anyone could walk over and check out what was going on. It was dark, and an odd environment. The two other places I've previously gone to in Wisconsin and Minnesota are so bright and sterile looking that *you* feel dirty when you walk in. My previous piercer took ten minutes just to thoroughly sanitize everything.

All in all, I would go to see Craig, but I will never go back to Ricks. I hope that Craig finds a new studio to work in.