Tattoo School - My Bad Experience

[InksaneArt]

This thread is meant specifically for people enrolled in, or thinking of enrolling as a student at the http://www.tattoobodypiercinginstitute.com

For those who haven't figured it out yet, this "school" is a complete scam. It should seem obvious, I know but I think it's important to get the word out.

Here are a few facts you should know:

Their apprenticeship papers: These papers in no way make it legal for you to tattoo. You would have to be working in a shop and under a mentor (in person, not over the net) for these papers to be legal. Don't buy into it.

The graduation certificates: These certificates mean nothing. Most shops would laugh at you if you showed them these papers.

The 25 required tattoos: The intention of the required 25 tattoos in to get your certificate (which, again, means nothing) and to build a portfolio. Chances are slim that this "portfolio" will help you get into a shop once your illegal "apprenticship" is finished. Shops don't want to see a portfolio filled with tattoos you did out of your house. And you will have no shop references. You will be seen as a scratcher to most shops.

The "people" who run the site: The man's name on the apprenticeship papers, your supposed mentor and coach, George Hartwig, is not only non-existant on the site but also does not tattoo professionally. His wife, Denise Richardson, who runs the site, has no qualifications at all except for running a really sloppy, confusing and disorganized website.

What you are paying them for: You are paying them to basically draw up illegal and useless papers for you and for compiling really outdated instructional information that you can find cheaper elsewhere. You can also find much better and more relevent info than what they offer.

The supplies: Again, you are basically paying them to order supplies for you. They sell all of the same kits on http://www.unimaxsupply.com for MUCH cheaper. The same exact kits.

If that isn't enough, they have a really poor website, an "e-learning center" that isn't up yet and the testing that is available doesn't allow you to print the step up certificates. This has lead to much confusion and a lot of student questions. But they all go unanswered.

They are infamous for unreturned emails and phone call and scheduling chats that they don't show up for or cancel at the last minute. There is also a message board that they have no problem deleting complaints from but refuse to take the time to answer the questions posted.

This is all in spite of their site boasting their special training qualifications and that you will recieve unlimited live technical support and be in close contact with your coaches.

They also have several complaints filed with the BBB.

I advise caution to anyone who is in their "pay as you go" training not to give thim one more cent of your money. Look at all of these red flags. Why should these people be paid upwards of $2000.00 of your money?

The thing that bothers me is that many people enroll in their program very naively but with the intention of doing things the right way. For the money they cost and the promices they make, it may lead some people to believe that this is a legitimate way to learn and not with the intention of taking a short cut.

This is where I was at 10 months ago. I stupidly fell for it. And for all of my hard work and studying and moving forward without their help, I am still not taken seriously. And you won't be either unless you are in a shop, in spite of your dedication or your original intentions.

Anyway, I thought it was important to get the word out because I think a lot of people secretly want to learn about these schools but ultimately end up regretting it and being ashamed to admit their naivity.

I was fucked out of a lot of money. I don't want to see this happen to others and I don't want to see http://www.tattoobodypiercinginstitute make a single penny. They should be shut down.

If you read this far, thanks.
Gina

[Kitten]

I "stickied" this thread because I think it is important info. Thanks Gina.

[PandorasInk]

Thank you SOOO Much for posting this. It's hard to find info on them online. While I wasn't dumb enough to think that you can do online and at home tattoo training and get a job as an artist, my hopes were to use the school to build up a fantastic portfolio and get some knowledge under my belt to up my chances at getting an apprenticeship. But if they're nothing but a scam, then I want no part of it.

Thanks again!!!

[emopunker26]

If you want to build up your portfolio for an apprenticeship, go to art school.. having a bunch of bad tattoos under your belt generally wont help that cause, and often times will actually hurt your chances.. tattoo schools are taught/owned by opportunists who see a market for an "easy way" into tattooing.. regardless of what they say.. what "awards they've won" .. these people are not respected members of the tattoo community.. and they need to supplement their income, because they cant hack it tattooing.

[PandorasInk]

Thanks emo, but I already have in a way- I minored in studio art when I got my bachelors degree.

[emopunker26]

Thanks emo, but I already have in a way- I minored in studio art when I got my bachelors degree.

Well then.. all you have to do is draw your ass off.. apprenticeships are gained through your artistic merit, your good attitude, and motivation.. dont waste your time trying to learn to tattoo beforehand.. you will learn what you need when you are ready..

[Crowman]

A guy who came in my shop last week told me of a course in the north west of uk teaching to tattoo in 3 days for £900. per person......3 days??
i`ll try to squeeze more info out of him on his next sitting and post the scam up here.

[lesifer]

And people wonder why we(properly trained tattoo artists) have such a hard on for these fucking morons that teach this stuff, and laugh at anyone that approaches us with their little certificates. I really believe that P.T. Barnum had it right all along. " Theres A Sucker Born Every Minute". I hope that anyone that visits this thread reads this, and realizes that we were'nt being ignorant pricks about the fact of these schools not being up to par.

@PandorasInk: I'm sorry you had to lose the cash on such a scam, and the time you wasted as well, but, as Emo said, pound the pavement, and get those flash drawings out there. DO NOT.... take any photos of tattoo work you've done. It will definatly hinder your progress. Good luck..

@ the rest of the people who scoffed at us when we said "THESE SCHOOLS ARE A FUCKING SCAM!" ..

FUCK YOU ALL, because, WE FUCKING TOLD YOU SO!!!!! And you still argued with us about it.......

[devildoll]

this dude came in a few months ago who was trying to get a job based on some shit work on his friends and himself
1st everything on him was upside down kuz(your going to love this) he wasnt bright enough to face it down his leg!
2nd he didnt bring in any kinda drawings or art
and finaly brought in a lap top with about 30 pics of 3 tattoos that he had done in "school" (with a flashless camera noless),
he almost started crying when we told him that we wouldnt higher him becasue he wouldnt even listin to advice then he had the nurve to ask if we would sell him some needles and ink.
got to love the special ones

[PandorasInk]

I did not fall for the school, I looked into it. I did not give a sh*t about the certificates and I was not dumb enough to think I could, or should, be hired on as an artist once completed the oniine curriculum. (SP? hungover can't spell). Anyway I was interested in it mainly to have something to go by, learn a few things, and build up a decent portfolio which I would then take to shops to get an apprenticeship.

Are all tattoo artists so angry?

Anyway, like I said I'm glad someone posted about this, there's not much out there, good or bad, about it.

I've signed up for 2 more art classes, one in portrait drawing one in abstract painting. Mostly because I really thrive on structure, and going back to school will help me beef up my portfolio. I'm going to pretty much forget about tattooing. You know, sort of go for that goal but not obsess over it. I think obsessing is a good way to fall for such things as this online school.

Also, I've gotten inked twice in the last week at this nice shop in town that I had not been to previously. My prefered artist is a one man shop and he's not interested in taking on apprentices. SO, getting to know this other, much bigger shop. OH and I tipped my artist with a case of his favorite beer (Becks) and a pint of my favorite Irish whiskey. heh. He was a happy guy and the rest of the shop was jealous.

[PandorasInk]

devildoll- HAHA holy crap, upside down tatts? So he rode up to the shop on the shortbus I see.

LOL

[Shadow]

Are all tattoo artists so angry?

You must try to understand that reputable tattoo artists have endured years of scrutiny and judgement based on the actions of unliscenced hacks shortcutting our industry. No matter how hard the APT and Health Department push to bring tattooing to a respectable level, it is always overshadowed by a larger number of unregulated "hobby artists" spreading MRSA, HEP C, and HIV in epidemic levels by doing things half-assed in unsanitary conditions. THIS IS WHAT MAKES US ANGRY.We are sick and tired of being blamed for the actions of hack artists. Otherwise, we are generally the most congenial, down-to eath people in the world. We have a deep passion in what we do for a living, but it does get irritating that we will ALWAYS be outnumbered by the unregulated hacks trying to make a quick and easy buck that duck out the back door when their inexperience leads to disaster. And since this always gets thrown in the mix, let me also add that we are NOT afraid of competition or helping the underdog, we just expect you to be serious enough to learn it properly and not to shortcut with excuses why you can't learn properly.

[devildoll]

Are all tattoo artists so angry?

You must try to understand that reputable tattoo artists have endured years of scrutiny and judgement based on the actions of unliscenced hacks shortcutting our industry. No matter how hard the APT and Health Department push to bring tattooing to a respectable level, it is always overshadowed by a larger number of unregulated "hobby artists" spreading MRSA, HEP C, and HIV in epidemic levels by doing things half-assed in unsanitary conditions. THIS IS WHAT MAKES US ANGRY.We are sick and tired of being blamed for the actions of hack artists. Otherwise, we are generally the most congenial, down-to eath people in the world. We have a deep passion in what we do for a living, but it does get irritating that we will ALWAYS be outnumbered by the unregulated hacks trying to make a quick and easy buck that duck out the back door when their inexperience leads to disaster. And since this always gets thrown in the mix, let me also add that we are NOT afraid of competition or helping the underdog, we just expect you to be serious enough to learn it properly and not to shortcut with excuses why you can't learn properly.

damn sr8!!!!!
sick, twisted, smart ass, hot, crazy, all things i have been called like most of my bretheren but "angry" only when i am passionate about something some dumb ass wants to take lightly and there are a lot of those poping up here