City Barbers

Reviews 3

TH

Thomas Gappmayer

Im not normally one to leave negative reviews, but I had a pretty terrible experience at City Barbers, and I feel like its worth sharing - I understand that most customers have had a very positive experience, and I can see why - hopefully my perspective brings a little balance here. First, the good: City Barbers is a traditional barbershop with beautiful decor, friendly staff, and a fun vibe. Services are paid for in an hour block of time, which means that your barber is able to pay closer attention to you than you would otherwise get during a 20 or 30 minute haircut. At $35/hour, the pricing was fair. The owner offered me a cup of coffee from Peoples Coffee as I waited, which seemed like a really nice gesture. Now on to the...not so good stuff. The entire time I was in the shop, I felt like I the focus of a hard sale on different high-end salon products. I get it, barbershops have a unique ability to showcase great products, and barbers take a commission from salon products sold (both good things!) but it seemed to bit aggressive. This wasnt a deal breaker by itself, and it could just be a matter of personal taste here. After a lengthy consultative process, the barber pretty much did whatever he felt like - dont get me wrong, it wasnt a bad hair cut by itself, it just wasnt really the haircut I wanted, asked for, or discussed with the barber. He ended up cutting my hair much shorter than we talked about, moved the side of my part (he claims that it was because it laid better that way; what I saw was that he started cutting, I gently pointed out that he had ignored what we just talked about, and he tried to make it look intentional). Going to great lengths to talk about how consultative your approach is doesnt mean much when you still disregard most of what your client tells you. Majorly disappointing. The absolute final straw (and really, the reason Im posting this review here) is because when I paid by credit card, the Suggested Tip options seemed intentionally deceitful. I always try to tip well for services received, dont get me wrong, but 15% of $53.00 is not $14.00, and to suggest that it is (along with 20% being represented as $18.00) is a seriously deceptive tactic. Businesses who try to pull stunts like these dont get my business. The biggest disappointment for me is that City Barbers has so much going for it, and I would love to be writing a positive review here instead of this. But, the hard sale for products (annoying at most), inattentive barber (disappointing, but maybe not universal to the shop), and disingenuous (deceitful?) suggested tips means that, at best, City Barbers deserves 2 out of 5 stars from me. I wont be coming back, and Ill recommend that any of my male friends go to Rays, Jeds, or Garret Michaels instead. **EDIT after the owners response**: The owner doesnt seem to understand that the issue with the suggested tip amounts isnt that theyre too high - its that their platform represents the tip as being 15% when in reality it is more like 25% - anybody who does the math realizes that theyre being duped into a higher tip through misleading suggested tips. This type of behavior is scummy, and the owners unwillingness to address this is too bad.

AN

Anthony Spidale

When you first walk into City Barbers it’s like taking a step back in time with all the modern tools and equipment of today. With beautifully restored barber chairs dating back to the early 1910’s to the Ferrari engineered hair dryers, it’s these fine details that reflect the pride and dedication these gentlemen take in their craft. City Barbers started off with a consultation to determine my preferences, what has and hasn’t worked in prior experiences and what I may be looking for going forward. Following the initial consultation I was taken to the shampoo bowl for a warm shampoo and conditioning with a refreshing cool water rinse. I then made my way to the chair and the cut began. Communication was thorough throughout and no decision was made without my concurrence. Throughout the cut, my barber, Evan, did not hesitate to bring up new ideas and suggestions for a better cut. Each question I asked received an explanation and an education on what was being performed, why it was being done and the expected result. I was very impressed with Evan’s overall knowledge. With the haircut now complete work began on my beard. I was tilted back in the chair to receive a beard trim and neck-shave. The process began with a hot double-towel treatment, as I learned, to soften my facial hair and open the pores for an easier shave. My neck-line was sculpted using detailing trimmers and my beard trimmed with scissors and a comb. Beard oil was then applied to soften my skin followed by a beard balm to soften my facial hair. I was taught why, how and when to apply these products. Prior to shoring up my back neck line and stamping in my hard-part, I was treated to another hot-towel treatment. This time my complete head was wrapped with two hot towels and I was allowed to relax for a few minutes. The neck-line trim and hard-part began with my choosing from a few different shaving lathers. Evan whipped up the lather and then used straight razor to detail my neck-line and finish my hard-part. The perfect finish to a haircut experience unlike any I’ve experienced before. With services being complete I asked a few questions about proper application and use of the products. I use, and highly recommend, any of the Reuzel hair products. I have tried each of the four styling products, both water soluble and grease, as well as two of their tonics. The Reuzel pomades have a great smell and go a very long way as they require only small amounts to do a complete job. Bearded Bastard oil and balm where used during my beard treatment. I also recommend these; they have great scents available and help to tame all of your beard fly-aways. Time and time again I am amazed at the cuts I see leaving this place. I have observed two types of clients walk into City Barbers – the ones with a dead set idea on what they want done and others with a “do-your-thing” type approach. What I find remarkable is that every one of them leaves with a smile on their face and a comment about the above and beyond service they just received. City Barbers has turned the chore of getting a haircut into an experience of which I eagerly anticipate!

DA

David Martinez

City Barbers is the type of establishment that, for me, offered not only amazing service, but a tremendous experience. The space itself has a very new age and rustic Americana feel that upon entering, helped me feel like I was about to have the greatest hair cut of my life. And I was right. When I walked in, my barber, Rob, was busy attending to another client; because of this, the owner, Johnny, offered me a coupon to get a free beverage of my choice at The Peoples Coffee located just a few storefronts down the street. This immediately made me feel at home. I never feel that way before a haircut. Im usually sitting there, surrounded by month old magazines and a very curious smell of toxic sprays and wet hair. Not so here. I sat on a comfortable leather booth and waited eagerly to see if the good treatment would continue, smelling only high quality pomade and the hand mixed lather they use for shaving. Then Rob, my barber, being the fantastic man that he is, made me feel comfortable immediately; he talked through with me what type of hair style I wanted, and was willing to not only give suggestions but also collaborate to help me feel and look my best. We were on the same page, and as far as a haircut goes, thats important to me. As I mentioned earlier, all of their products are top notch. Nothing shabby about this place. And as far as the service goes, they incorporate modern and classic British techniques for the haircut and shaving process, which result in a carefully crafted blend of relativity, specificity, and comfort for your look. But to be honest, what mattered most of all to me was the great attention to detail these guys, and in my case, Rob specifically, offered to me. He treated my haircut as if he was cutting his own. He took ownership in his craft. I wasnt just another customer, I was his client, and he wanted to help me look my best. Does it take a little longer? Yes. Does it cost a bit more? Yes. But I dont regret it one bit. I feel bombarded constantly with the notion that everything, in terms of mens hair care, has to be easy and it has to be fast. Not so. Especially here. Because of the time they took with me, I received a more detailed cut and quality service. To top that off, I dont ever really receive compliments on my hair, but with this cut, it happens multiple times a day. I feel better about my appearance, and learned for myself at least, that as a man, its alright to take some time to not only look good, but also be taught by some pros at City Barbers as to how I can maintain that look. Ultimately, its up to you; if you just want a run of the mill cut, go somewhere else. But if you want an experience that results in a superb haircut and a feeling of confidence and renewal, then hello, meet City Barbers. Thanks you guys. Bless you.

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