I had heard alot about the place and guy I went to and I had seen tattoos that he had done. I went in there a couple of times before hand and looked around. Cleanliness was a big thing for me and I watched him while he worked, everything he did was very sterile and clean, wearing gloves, wrapping everything he would touch in plactic before working, opening new everything and then disposing of it after he was done and the ink in little tiny tops that he threw away after he used them. I talked with the guy and found that he has been doing tattoos for 23 years.
I don't think anyone who is good and has a good rep will mind you coming in and asking them questions. If they do mind then find some place else. Afterall you are the customer and it is important for you to get what you want and how you want it since a tattoo is forever.