I'm pleased that you have had success with your piercings and not trying to diss anyone else.  Just saying that there are people who know what they are doing with a needle!  It doesn't take too long with a piercer to get to know whether or not they really know their stuff and give a shit about their customers.  Many don't, it's true, but lots of us do care about our customers and the quality of their work.  I am a perfectionist and am always willing to learn new ideas and techniques, but they don't always work for me!

My corset piercing was one of my first piercings, which looking back on it, was probably not the best idea.  I mean, I did a lot of research on them before talking to a piercer so I knew some of the basics (such as using surface barbells).  I got four surface barbells (with external threading) and didn't put the slave beads on for a couple of months.  However, the piercings only lasted about 6 months total (they were difficult for me to take of on my own which I think was a big part of the problem)..
But, when I got them done, I had originally wanted them to be vertically placed, but the piercer said that they had a better chance to successful if they were on 45 degree angles, meanwhile other piercers tell me that this was not the best idea.  Does anyone know if there is a better success rate based on the angle of the piercing for corsets?  (You can check my photos to see how mine was set up)  I haven't seen other corsets done in this way so I'm not sure.

My other surface piercings were even less successful than my corset.. my sternum lasted about 4 months, but I found out that that was because it was placed in a spot that (due to boobs) had a lot of movement.  My wrist piercing I knew was temporary when I got it done, but it was for a friend that is apprenticing and wanted to expand their portfolio.  For my wrist PTFE stuff was used when the piercing was first done but was switched to a proper surface barbell the next day (we agreed to use the plastic because at the time of the piercing it was quicker to get in and it was his very first surface piercing).  It still lasted for over a month and took it out only because it kept getting caught.

agreed.

the two sides of my ribs play testimony to this.

The one side, I had done by a good friend working in a Blue Banana piercing parlour in the UK, and I've had these in now for over 3 years, and they still show no signs of migration (pics available on my profile).

The other side, however, was done by another girl working at the same store, who I dont think had been working there for long.
She did this without supervision, and a few weeks after, they migrated completely, and scarred badly.

I must admit this was partly my own fault for not getting an advanced peircing done by a trusted and fully qualified peircer.

But Montana makes a very good point, there are too many people out there thinking it's just like doing any other piercing, and it's definately like playing the lottery if you don't get these kinda things done by someone who knows exactly what they're doing, and have got certificates to back it up!

cheers Montana, well said!