Thanks to our pal, Tattoo Artist Frank Fencepost for sending this along.

A CHEAP TATTOO ISN'T GOOD, A GOOD TATTOO ISN'T CHEAP!

There's been a lot of shops advertising half-price tattoos here on Myspace the last few weeks. I encourage all potential customers to read these 11 cardinal rules (originally written by Uncle Tim) about cheap tattoos, and take it to heart. Remember money is temporary but your tattoo is forever.

1) Shops that advertise cheap prices are desperate for money!

2) Shops that are desperate for your money don't have customers.

3) Shops that don't have customers are usually inexperienced, do shoddy work and use shoddy materials.

4) Shops that do shoddy work do not respect the trade.

5) Shops that don't respect the trade don't respect the customers.

6) Shops that don't respect the customers don't respect themselves.

7) Shops that don't respect themselves cut corners to save money.

8) Shops that cut corners compromise everyone's safety.

9) Shops that are unsafe don't have any return customers.

10) Shops that are unsafe, disrespectful and do shoddy work don't care about anything but your money (or "being cool") and have to bring in more customers (suckers) to keep it that way.

11) In order for these shops to bring in more suckers, they advertise cheap prices (see 1).

-Originally written by Uncle Tim Heitkotter,
Studio 13 Tattoo,
Salinas, California