I live locally, and have been trying out various shops in the area. I stopped in here a few months back, got a very good cut, and thought to remember to return. I noticed at the time that there were about a half dozen barbers there, which meant the wait would not be too long, either. A good thing, as there are only a few chairs at the front of the shop, and I didn't want to stand at the door.
Well, I returned to Ed's yesterday, as I had a lot on my plate and needed a decent cut for a dinner I was to go to. I didn't have to wait more than about ten seconds before I was in the chair. Wonderful, but it all went downhill from there.
I instructed the barber that I wanted a cut, but a longer winter cut, as it's not spring yet. I was specific about layering on the sides and thinning up at the crown as my hair tends to be fairly thick there. The barber, who I am fairly convinced was on some kind of medication (I am serious about that), proceeded to use his electric trimmer to trim up the sides, and then basically chopped the rest off the top. No real layering or thinning at all. As he worked, a couple of the other barbers would walk behind him, monitoring his progress, which fed my fear that things weren't going well. One barber made some suggestions to him in a low voice, about how he could speed up the process. My barber continued to plod along, and it was clear to me that this guy didn't know what he was doing.
Finally, one of the older barbers with dark hair came over and finished me up. At that point is was his attempt at damage control. My barber was there watching, while being coached about reading the cowlick of hair, not wetting it first, etc. Now I really understood I was a failed experiment, and the older barber was trying to fix what he could. Unfortunately, you can't put hair back. I paid and left.
After moussing today, I can tell you I am embarrassed to leave the house. The cut is lopsided, way too short, sticking out (even with the mousse), and the chop lines on one side remind me of Moe from the three stooges. Thank God this will eventually grow out, but the cut is way too short now to fix it right, unless I wish to get an Army cut. And I don't.
That insult was bad enough, but when I went to leave, there was no apology, no discount. Nothing. It is easily the worst haircut I have ever had, and I am in my sixties so I have had a lot of haircuts. Mistakes as bad as this should be compensated for. I should not have been charged at all, and should have gotten a coupon for a free cut in addition to that, plus an apology. Nothing.
Ed's has no right to charge customers to be worked on by people who are obviously learning how to cut hair. It sullies the reputation of the entire shop. Like others on this post, I can't risk going back to a place that doesn't police their own. Totally unprofessional.
I am going back to the guy in Scotia who cuts hair correctly (takes his time getting it right but charges a lot less). Sorry guys, $17 is not a good number for a decent haircut, let alone a horrible one, when I can get a great one for $12. Good luck, Ed's. I suspect you won't be in business for long if you continue this way. read more