Crooks and Kings Barber Co — Attraction in Woodinville

NEVER GOING BACK. Todd Bridges is the WORST barber I have ever had. I would give ZERO stars if I could. There were multiple uneven sections of my cut, and multiple areas where Todd had somehow completely missed my original longer-than-shoulder length hair (it had curled into the shorter cut, so I didn't notice until after I left.)

I went and got multiple second opinions: "This cut looks nothing like your reference photos." "It's not even a quality cut." "How on earth did he miss 18 inches of hair still attached to your head?" (see photos)

What happened:

I decided to get my hair cut at Crooks because they have an excellent reputation. I booked an appointment with Todd. I had long hair, about four inches below shoulder length. I wanted to trim it up to a few inches above shoulder length where my hair naturally curls.

When I walked in the barbers were all chatting about a legal case of Todd's that he was audibly annoyed about. I sat down to wait and after a moment noticed I was getting an apprehensive side-eye from Todd. The look clearly said "Tell me that long hair is not my next appointment." When I confirmed I was his next appointment, he let out an audible sigh of exasperation. His energy was immediately toxic and unprofessional. I assumed he was already angry about the legal case, and my long hair was just one more annoyance on top. If not for the 4.8 star rating, I would have walked out and gone to a salon.

I showed him four photos, two of me from a year ago with the exact haircut I wanted, and two more detailed close up photos of a similar style on someone else.

During this whole exchange Todd was visibly annoyed, and acted like I was imposing on him. Again, I thought about walking out - but I had a full day and I preferred to get the cut now if possible. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. I assumed he was just having a bad day. Besides, that many good ratings had to count for something, right? So I just asked him directly - "I know my hair is long. Are you sure you want to cut my hair today?"

Todd grunted dismissively and replied "Oh, I can cut it. I'm just worried about the time. Come with me, we need to start with a wash." Todd's energy was so bizarre and unprofessional that I stopped and asked a second time - "You seem uncertain about this cut." (I almost said "You seem like you want me to leave." but thought better of it.) He brusquely replied "No, no, it's fine. I can do long hair."

Tod kept me pointed away from a mirror for the entire cut. When he finished the cut, and hurriedly showed it to me, I was shocked. It was MUCH too short. It wasn't even the same style as the photos I showed him. When I compared it to the reference photos, Todd got annoyed and told me I was wrong.

By now his next appointment had arrived. I followed him to the register, still trying to wrap my mind around how badly he had destroyed my hair. He was visibly annoyed with me, perhaps also annoyed that I wasn't rushing at his pace. He me asked what was wrong. I told him I wasn't happy with the length, but was giving it the benefit of the doubt for the moment (since he told me straight up I was wrong about it.), and I was dissatisfied that there were still hair clippings and dry flakes in my hair. I had expected the flakes to be washed out when he rinsed my hair earlier.

He became openly hostile, and went on a tear about how I didn't know what I was talking about, how he had done hair all over the world for twenty years. He accused me of saying all sorts of negative things about his knowledge and skills that I had not said. He belligerently challenged me "What could I have possibly done better for you."

How do you even talk to someone who can't accept calm, respectful feedback about a negative experience? I had to literally employ conflict de-escalation techniques that I used to manage my middle school students - at the Crooks & Kings cash register - because I genuinely thought this would escalate into him screaming at me or worse if I unpacked the problems with my haircut...

Super disappointed with our limited experience here. My husband scheduled an appointment to have his hair cut, and we asked if they also do kids cuts for our 10 year old. The guy on the phone launched into all the reasons why they don't like working with kids, and told my husband that they'd only do it of we promised our kid wouldn't talk or wiggle, and then said that they should really be charging more for kids cuts since it's more work. Okaaaaay. Honestly we should have canceled the appointment at that point, but we wanted to give a local small business a try. When we came in we were greeted pretty aggressively asking if we had an appointment. Once we confirmed that we did, Todd asked my husband what he wanted done. My husband showed Todd pictures of a gentlemen with a simple undercut with top length, and Todd proceeded to argue with my husband that he wanted a mohawk, not an undercut, and that the pictures were of two different cuts (they weren't, it was the same guy just with hair up and hair down to show the detail of the undercut). He cut my husband off multiple as he was trying to describe what he wanted, insisting that he wanted a mohawk. We ended up walking out. We drove to Fresh Cuts a couple of blocks away where they gave him the exact cut he wanted. No arguments, no aggressive attitude, no cutting anyone off mid-sentence. Everyone at Fresh Cuts was very friendly, and it was very bright and...

I'm bummed to have to write this review and also have to find a new barber. Albert has always been great and has given a solid haircut. Today I booked with Todd for the first time, because Albert was booked up. Here's what happened:

I walked in and was greeted by Albert, he knows I've always booked with him so he asked who I booked with since he wasn't expecting me. I didn't want to offend my usual barber so I replied, "I tried to book with you but I had to book with Todd since you were booked"

Todd heard this and it set him off. He felt insulted that I insinuated that he was a second choice. I clarified with him that I didn't mean to insult him, I actually just didn't want to insult my usual barber, Albert, by going to someone else.

Todd didn't want to hear it. H threw a tantrum and refused to cut my hair. I apologized to Todd and Albert chimed in saying, "don't be like that man, he didn't mean it like that. He just didn't want to insult his barber."

Still, Todd didn't want to hear it and refused to cut my hair.

Todd, I'm sorry you were offended. I've seen your cuts, you know you're a dope barber. But still, you can't disrespect your customers like that man. Best of luck with the shop, Albert has been great.. Unfortunately, I won't be back.

If you're considering trying out this shop, go for it.. They give great cuts.. Just be careful what you say around Todd, he's a...