freddy's hair braiding and barber shop/We only take cash — Local services in Silver Spring

I just moved to the silver spring area. I saw a sign that said 135 braids. So I went inside to confirm. Upon confirming I was told that there were only certain styles that were 135 and that the style I wanted would cost me 35 more based on length I wanted. Eager to get my hair done, I didn’t even hesitate and I agreed. Asked if she shampooed, she said yes and we got started. As she began to dry my hair, she stated that she had been waiting for a client to come in and do cornrows. By the way she was working(so quickly), I knew the cornrows would take no time so I agreed esp because I was a walk in. Then she starts telling me about another customer that had called for 3 and had not come in yet. So I’m like okay🙄. So around 4:30 the client for 3 comes on with all the excuses in the world on why she’s late. She tells her that he daughter will be in shortly and will take her, shortly after that the client for cornrows comes in. She stops my hair and does her cornrows. Her daughter comes in and starts client for 3 and it’s all going like clock work. When she’s done with the cornrows she comes back to my head. Now she is starting my braids and her daughter is finishing between me and 3 o clock/Afro Latina. ❗️The problem starts when Freddy’s daughter leaves! When her daughter leaves she starts bringing up her policy and how he usually requires clients to pay before hand. And brings out a blue sign that was not even visible prior to this conversation. I begin to tell Freddy that had known this I would have never agreed to this service. I’ve had a bad experience with that type of service before and would’ve off the bat declined her services. This is when the conversation got disrespectful. Freddy begins to tell me how I (Africans) am the reason she has this sign in the 1st place. She has no problem with African Americans and other races and refers to 3 o clock who was Afro Latina but tells me “you Africans give me the most problems!” Until then we had a friendly positive dialogue so I didn’t even take her comment as seriously as I should have looking back, it wasn’t until she began badgering me about not wanted to accept cash app after my service is completely and telling me to go to the atm , that I truly got offended. As offensive as I believed she was being towards me especially because she is an African! I was determined to make her impression of me (an African) un true so I gave her 40 cash and 130 cash app after finding out she accepted cash app from the Afro latina in the next chair. After the exchange of money my she stops doing the Afro Latinas hair and starts finishing up my cornrows (the front of my hair). The most unprofessional part is that Freddy has the Afro Latina handing her the hair to go into my feeding braids knowing that this girl is in a rush for her to finish my hair so she can finish hers. Just a whole mess! I showed Freddy a picture of tribal braids where there was a braid going down the middle. I’ve inserted the picture of what was done on my head. As she starts doing the ends, I’m looking at my hair and it’s not like the picture. She agrees that it’s not like my picture and starts telling me she can either finish it like it is or I can come back tomorrow. I tell her to stop so I can take it all in and really look at the cornrows to see how best it can be savaged. How much time I would be needed to fix this and she starts getting an attitude when I tell her that I work a job and it’s not that simple to tell me to come in the next day especially after all the back and forths I just dealt with today and being disrespectfully made to pay for a rushed service. At that point I’d had enough! I left hair undone. As a black woman, I deal with way too much to have to be disrespected in a black establishment by another black women while receiving what should be a pampering experience because I’m African! I floored by this whole experience... though I’m out of my money, hairstyle, and what should have been a recharging experience. I don’t care to ever step back in that...

Please do not support this business. The owner is rude and will block you if you ask her to correct her mistakes. I called Freddie to book an appointment for SMALL box braids. She told me on the phone that the cost for the box braids would be $180.00. I told her I needed my weave taken out as well and she said that it would cost an additional $30 so I planned on paying $210. After my arrival and her taking out my hair she proceeded to divide my hair into large, uneven parts. I asked to see the braids after she completed two rows and they looked nothing like the picture I showed her. I asked her to make the parts even sized because some were square and others were triangle shape. She proceeded to tell me well I would have to pay $50 extra … to have even parts. At that point my hair was already taken out and I had truly no other choice, so I agreed. I asked to have a mix of blonde and brown hair. When my hair was completed I only saw one blonde braid at the top and asked her how many there were? She stated 3. I went home and looked at my hair and realized how crazy I looked with a head full of braids and only 3 blonde when I wanted them mixed in… come to find out she did not have enough blonde hair and instead of telling me she continued to do it the way it was. I called the next day and explained that I wanted additional blonde braids because an entire side of my head had none. When I came in she had an attitude and asked what braids I wanted blonde, as I was deciding she said ok that’s enough sit down ( I had selected 4 braids). Despite her rude attitude, I brought my own hair and she redid 3 of the 4 braids. Today as I looked at my hair I realized she cut one of the braids she intended to take out, but never redid it. I asked her if I could come in and get it redone and she said yes and then proceeded to block my number from her phone. She is not PROFESSIONAL and will change the price after she is done your hair. Please do not support a...

Where do I start? I have NEVER encountered a woman as talented, respectful, helpful & precise as Ms. Freddy. I did not have an appt nor have I ever been to her shop prior. However I called & was able to come in the same day!!! Upon arrival I received a phone call from Freddy herself distributing step by step directions to find both the shop & free parking (in Silver Spring, that's a bonus). Once I found my way I was warmly welcomed by Ms. Freddy herself, along with her helpful staff. Looking around the shop it was both spacious &'spotless! Immediately my hair was soothingly washed & blow dried ($10). My hair is THICK & shoulder length btw just to give you a visual. Two people worked on my hair from start to finish while I separated the hair (provided by the shop) & comfortably watched television to prevent a long wait. Did I mention Ms. Freddy went to hair school? Has a cosmetology license & can also do weaves, nails & fades? I was blown away by her credentials &'customer service. I was included in every conversation (which never happens in a braiding shop), offered food & advice in being a business owner. I learned so much during my short time there. I can not say enough about how special she made me feel. Midway through the styling Ms. Freddy gave me a break down in pricing (I secretly said to myself watch this be $300). Good thing I was sitting down when I heard her say $165!!!! (View pictures for length ) AMAZING! Provided wash & hair + length for under $200 ?! Did you make your appt yet?

Lastly Freddy's is not just a braiding shop, she has 2 very talented barbers charging $8 for your first cut. Grab your Husbands, Sons, & All women with short cuts . Freddy's have it ALL!!!! I will never go anywhere else again. Since I left her shop I have received more compliments than Beyonce on the red carpet! I am forever grateful for...