Rudy's Barbershop

First cut at this salon a couple months ago was great, Andreas' cut was exactly what I wanted. I tried to schedule a return visit online a couple months later, but was reassigned a different stylist when I arrived, without my knowledge. I then had the desk reschedule for a couple days later with the same stylist, but when I got there, he wasn't there again. I've been going to Rudy's for a long time but they've lost a lot of their appeal recently. Looking for something new.

Go somewhere else! This place is a nightmare.

I had an almost identical experience to one posted below by Bethany H about absolutely HORRIBLE customer service. I've gone to this Rudy's location on and off since 2014, and will never be returning. Never in my life have I been openly mocked by a receptionist when trying to get my hair cut.

I selected the 'any stylus available' for a 5pm appointment and trusted the booking system would do its thing. Then, Andreus texted that he was running '5 minutes late' 30 minutes before my appointment. That's fine, but I have a meeting to get to so I can't go too much past that. I signed in on the tablet when I arrived at 4:55pm expecting to wait 10 mins. At 5:08, with another person waiting, and no stylist around, I go up to the counter to ask about my haircut.

This is where things really go south. First, the receptionist says that my stylist is probably 'just in the bathroom' and about to come out. Nice try, that's clearly not the case. I explain to her that I could see ANY stylist and ask if the one who is sitting in his chair on his phone is available. Her response is she doesn't know and that he might be more expensive- fine, at this point I'd rather just pay more to get my hair cut and go. But she doesn't know if he's available and she just keeps saying 'nope, it's not that simple' and 'i don't even know who that is'. She tells me to go sit down and she'll be with me shortly.

I return to the chair I was waiting in, it's now 5:10 when she comes up and explains that there is no stylist available, but 'Andreus is probably going to be back really soon, he's just on his break.' That's when I point out that if I was this late to my haircut I would be charged for it and unable to get my haircut. She repeats back that they would have to charge me for this haircut because I (the customer) was late. That's when I get upset- you're not going to say you're going to charge me for a haircut when your stylist is late. She then doubles down and says 'I don't know what time you got here, how do I know you weren't late'. ITS PRETTY EASY- I SIGNED IN ON THE TABLET AND I'M STANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU! She asks me to lower my voice. I admit I was highly annoyed because the prices at Rudy's have gone up a lot and being charged for this would hurt. She says that if I leave now, they would have to charge me. I reaffirm that I'm not going to pay for a haircut that I have not received and remind her that I was here early/on time for my appointment. I accidentally say a '5 minute haircut' instead of the original agreement that Andreus would be 5 minutes late and she digs in 'haircuts aren't 5 minutes, you said they're 5 minutes.' and continues arguing that I'm 'just wrong'. WHAT IS HAPPENING! I'm mad! This is just downright rude!

I ask to speak with a manager. She'll go check but doesn't think a manager is there, but maybe I can go speak with someone 'upstairs'.

At this point, Andreus has shown up at 5:12, and she motions that I can have my haircut now, ignoring that I have asked to speak with a manager. I try to explain the ridiculousness of this situation to Andreus and tell him why I am not going to be getting a haircut there today but still want to speak to a manager. At this point I don't even care that Andreus was late, just the way I was treated was horrendous!!! Andreus gives me a phone number and email, but meanwhile the receptionist starts singing '123 - 456 - 7890' in the background in a mocking sing-song voice. She later points to my shirt and says that she 'once gave my big burly friend a Northface Jacket'. Then she starts talking about how acoustics in this space have really good reverb and that I could 'bring my whole band in to play. I could record you!' What is going on? I don't want to be recorded, I just wanted a haircut. Not to be threatened with being charged for an appointment that the stylist was 15 minutes late to and then mocked! Receptionist was obviously lying and just saying anything.

I'm still waiting for Cort to call back, but the number I was given was a google voice number and no way to know if it's actually her or not. This chain has just gone completely downhill. I miss the old days of Rudy's where there were great stylists who could give reasonable haircuts. Just AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID!

Horrible service. They open at 9. I walked in. 2 guys stood there and looked at me. Can I get a haircut. Sure sign in and I'll get with you in a minute. So I do.

The. The guy comes over to me and whispers. Do you have an appointment. But I didn't hear him. So I follow him to the counter. He gets even quieter. Like pulling teeth to get him to understand that I just walked in. Didn't you see me? He argued for like a minute with me. WTF. He says we don't have appointments available until after 10. WTF. I just walked in.

Needless to say I drove all over town looking for a haircut. Only to find out great clips is two blocks away with no wait.

So. 1) speak up. Nobody can hear you.
2) Offer some customer service! Gimme the pickle. Jeesh. You really could have had a new Rudy's customer.

Fortunately I met this great barber Matthew at great clips. Love the guy. I'm going there now.

So

Got a decent cut here - basic (little off the top
and sides) but good value and I liked the product they used to style at the end

Andreus took care of me and reminded me that I'm Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby and I will do whatever I damn well please including cutting my hair short as fuck when no one asked me to

Don't get your haircut by Calvin Lewis at 614 Pine, Seattle! Calvin treats customers like an inconvenience. Calvin is super rude and demeaning. It's very uncomfortable.

(Capitol Hill/Pine street location)
Hutch gave me a really great haircut. Nice personable guy with years of experience. highly recommend!

After having gone to Rudy's for years before COVID I went back this week. I honestly can say this was the worst haircut in my life. Like I would have been better anywhere else, and the person cutting my hair showed a total lack of understanding of how hair works.

I asked for my long wavy hair to be cut to below my chin and tapered up. Somehow it got cut to my nose, and went up the most in the middle?? The person cutting my wavy hair never even wet it, and used an electric razor rather than scissors. When I got home I saw how uneven it was and still had long strands that weren't cut at all. After having a panic attack over how much hair I lost and how bad it looked, I called a different salon who did their best to fix it. The photo attached is what it looked like after Rudy's butchered it.

Seriously avoid this place if you can.

I've been a loyal customer of Rudy's Barbershop since 2017. Today, however, I've decided to finally vote with my wallet and take my business elsewhere for the following infractions against decency and customer service:

1. The long-established rudeness of the staff finally reached a breaking point for me. It's a barber shop--not the Louvre. The arrogance and condescension at Rudy's coat the air like beard oil.

2. They always cut your hair as quickly as possible, like you're a package on a conveyor belt, sending you away with stray hairs covering your head and face. And no, they won't wash your hair. It's beneath them.

3. Because they always cut your hair as quickly (and forcefully) as possible, it usually grows out lopsided. (See the other reviews if you don't believe me.)

4. Their fluctuating prices have me showing up for a "Buzz Cut" for one $ amount from one "stylist" and another $ amount from someone else. That device in your hand? It's a pair of electric clippers. Yes, clippers. If my dog had opposable thumbs, he could use them as well as anyone at Rudy's. And there is no reason to charge me more depending on the person doing the clipping. (Do more tattoos on the stylist = a pricier haircut?)

5. Rudy's new policy of putting customer credit cards on file. The first time this happened, the receptionist on the phone waived the rule; the second time, the receptionist (a different person) advised that she did not have the proper authority to do so. You do not have the right to charge your customers for being late, as I noticed you did to someone in one of your many appalling reviews below.

So that's it: six years of consistently underwhelming experiences. You'd think I was a masochist. Why did I put up with it for so long? Because it was cheap(ish). And it was conveniently located. But there are other barbershops dotted around Fremont and Ballard. I'll take my business there. (But first, I'll look them up on Yelp!)

And save your "I'm sorry you had a negative experience" reply, store manager. I know you don't care. But we'll see how long you guys last with this blatantly anti-customer business model of yours.

Dom was my barber and man did he take care of me. I went in looking haggard , and this man instilled confidence in me I forgot I had. I can't recommend a barber anymore than I could Dom. The vibe was super chill, everybody was helpful and helped uplift my spirits. Thanks again Dom!