Three Kings Tattoo Brooklyn — Local services in New York

I was excited to get a jammer tattoo from Three Kings, cause Gothamist and many other publications say this is the best tattoo studio in NY. And some of the artist work is amazing. My girlfriend and I went in on May 4th to both get a small light saber jammer. When the shop girl told me it was gonna be $150, i was baffled. I've been tattooed at Smith Street Tattoo, Sacred Tattoo, Magic Cobra, Green Point Tattoo and Love and Hate in AZ. I got a jammer at Smith street from Steve Boltz that was $50! Three kings wanting $150 for a tattoo that takes 10 minutes is mind blowing! I'm not a "bargain hunter" as i have 75% of my body covered by really good artist. So I went through with it. Our tattoo was done by a girl name Billy who was so nervous you would imagine it was her first time tattooing. We've been in tattoo studios since back when it was still illegal in NYC and this 'artist' sounded like she's only just entered the field. I get that everyone has to learn but where was her teacher?! Why was she allowed to tattoo in an empty shop unsupervised? The tattoos aren't that bad for an apprentice, but they are not good. A good tattoo isn't cheap but these expensive tattoos are not good. $150 for 10 minutes is...

i feel like this place took advantage of me when i was younger and didn't know any better. I went to this place a year ago when I was 17 and the guy I went to didnt seem to want to be there. he immediately told me he couldn't do any of the work i was asking for, which is a point where one of the more professional artist i go to would send me home. instead the guy i went to (forget his name but his station is the first one on the left behind the front desk) convinced me to get a stupid flower tattoo that now covers my whole forearm. I'm wouldn't be as upset if it weren't for the fact that there was absolutely no detail work done on this tattoo, which i noticed in the shop. but he was so rude and passive aggressive that i literally didn't feel comfortable asking hime to fix it. Overall a terrible experience resulting in a terrible tattoo which is really a disappointment considering all the good (probably fake accounts in retrospect) reviews online that lead me to three kings.

update: I've been looking through the reviews and i see at least one 5 star review from Adam who works at the shop but doesn't identify himself as a tattoo...

Friendly and attentive personnel at the Brooklyn location. Kati -who has been drawing everything since she was 5- did a great job on the piece I wanted and will be returning for a couple more with her, and bringing a friend. A bunch of sweethearts work at this place AND great eats & awesome ice cream shop on that AVE. Definitely recommend! Make a nice day of it, then head over for a stroll in the nearby park. The venue itself is big and immaculate. The lounge area is nice and separate, and the staff are super accommodating. Not too pricey at all compared to others. Very reasonable rates. Don't forget to tip well for the service! And if you get Kati, bring a nice venison or duck snack for her cute dog Bronx! Great quality of female artists here who are super attentive to their client's needs, demands and concern. You feel super safe here trusting your artist to put...