Got my first tattoo here. I was a little nervous about it, and it seems like assumptions were made by both myself and the tattoo parlor: From them that their customers are all familiar and knowledgeable about the process of getting one, and from me that everything would be explicitly explained and clarified. I think it would be helpful if they ask customers how much they know about what it's like getting a tattoo, and if they are first-timers explaining exactly how everything works. For example, I assumed that the artist would send me the sketch beforehand, which wasn't the case and found out by calling them that needs to be brought up by me well beforehand... but how would I know that if I've never done this before? And I think a major thing that prevents people from getting their first tattoo is fear, and by bringing all the information to first-timers, so they can come in with clarified expectations and more agency to take initiative so that the artist and the customer have the same vision, would help reduce this fear, and probably reduce the number of cancellations. That's not to say the staff weren't friendly... they definitely were!
Anyways, I rescheduled my appointment, and worked with the artist (Tio Lu) who was very accommodating, not to mention very talented. He stayed over an hour after closing time working with me to come up with something that checked all the boxes of what I wanted (which was pretty specific). Then he tattooed it, did a great job, and it looks good! I have plans to build on it, and I'll most likely be coming back here if I decide to do that.