Shear Comfort

Can’t say more than my dog actually is excited every time I bring him here. They don’t take credit cards — but that is clearly posted and no big deal. The staff is nice, the service great and my dog looks great.

Walking into Shear Comfort feels like you’ve stepped back in time … in both the best of ways and in ways that may be a little inconvenient.
They’re definitely behind the times when it comes to business systems, only accepting cash or check (no debit/​credit) … forget about something like Apple Pay! And, while they might have one in the back, there was no computer system at check in. I was a new customer, and details about me and my dog (name, contact info, type of services needed) were collected via Post It. :)
I know the lack of tech, especially ability to accept credit/​debit is a main complaint among reviewers here, but I found it sort of … charming?
The traditional feel of this place has its perks, though. I was able to make an appointment for the next day, even though they were busy. Once I arrived, I could tell from the get-​go that my dog would get a quality bath and cut. Staff was friendly and seemed genuinely interested in his comfort/​happiness. Dogs of all breeds leaving at the same time I was arriving looked great! I also thought prices were very fair for the area. They are based on breed, but my Corgi got a bath, nail trim and coat trim for $ 48.
One small recommendation if you’re a first timer — be sure you look at the business hours and plan accordingly. I was told to call to check on my dog at 4:00 pm, which I did. They told me he was ready for pick up so I headed in. One thing that I didn’t realize, however, was that they close at 4:30; that’s a pretty tight pick up window. They were really cool about me breezing in at the last minute, but I should have been more conscientious. Just a heads up!

I’ve taken 5 of my dogs here over the past 30 years. They do a great job. The dogs are treated kindly and look great when they’re finished. Prices are competitive.

My family has been going here for quite some time now. We have had several dogs/​breeds over the years and Shear Comfort has done an amazing job at keeping all of them looking their best.
My last visit was with my girlfriend’s Alaskan Malamute. Obviously not a small dog and the poor guy hadn’t been groomed in who knows how long. I knew he would require a lot of work to say the least.
I dropped him off first thing in the morning & was warmly greeted. They took time to to talk to be about the dog, his history, his temperament… I thought that was great. I went in with a «do whatever it takes» attitude as I had NO idea what he really needed. I completely trust their judgement and this time was no exception. It was like a celebrity makeover. I almost cried when I picked him up. He looked SO good & you could see how happy he was.
He’s like a new dog! Happy, confident & full of life again! I know it sounds a little over the top, but what I’m really trying to say is that I know he was well taken care of during his stay and it SHOWS.
I feel their prices are fair for the services they provide. I’ve never had any issues in that department at all. As many have already chimed in, they don’t accept credit cards, but that’s not a deal breaker for me. It keeps my math skills fresh!
I enjoy coming here because they treat their customers like friends. It’s a very relaxed, laid back business and that makes me feel at home. They do very nice work and I would certainly recommend trying them out.

I cannot express how awesome the ladies at Shear Comfort were with my two dogs. They are both extremely anxious dogs and they did really well today. They came home with barely any of the usual anxiety. They look and smell amazing. Make sure to bring cash, as they keep their costs low by not accepting credit cards.

Love this place… super nice and professional. My dog always looks fantastic and they try and keep the prices low by not taking credit cards. I would highly recommend checking it out!

I’ve been taking my Goldendoodle here for 10 years. These ladies are great. I’ve always had a good cut from them, they listen to my requests, and take good care of my dog.
I don’t know why people would give bad reviews for a dog grooming service simply because they don’t take credit cards. Get over it. As a small business owner, I know credit card companies are a racket and there are huge fees associated with them. Go get cash or bring your checkbook. It’s not hard.

Friendly, efficient and Katie looks great whenever I pick her up.

We went here twice. The first time was fine. The second, they have cut the hair so close to her eyes, she had red flesh showing where the eye meets the nose. Now she has infections in both and is on an ointment and internal pills. They were in a hurry to close so I didn’t see it until she arrived home. No more for us.

BEWARE OF BUZZ CUT
Brought my 6 mos. labradoodle in for a haircut. Yes, it was matted and we discussed it needed to be short — we also discussed the style i wanted — full in the face — etc.
I picked up my dog 4 hours later totally shaved — EVERYWHERE — translucent skin and bone.
I was shocked and horrified — their response” well he was matted and it would have taken us hours”.
Agreed — that is why one brings ones dog to a groomer and pays more than at PetSmart.
Not even a courteous phone call to discuss this issue.
This negligence is the result of laziness and poor time management
Must be great not to need return customers–
BUYERS BEWARE

I have used Shear Comfort for years. I own 3 dogs, two shedders and one designer non-​shedder. I have been very happy with the service. One dog is nervous and the staff is extra accommodating. I don’t have an issue with Shear Comfort not accepting credit cards (they accept checks). It allows them to pass the savings on to the customer. Their grooming fees are lower than what is typically charged… if you live on the Northshore. Shear Comfort will continue to have my business– they’re great!

Friendly staff, great grooming.

I took my long-​haired two-​year-​old cat Bender here to get washed and «combed out» (that’s what they told me) and get his nails clipped (the vet and the groomer’s in the same week… I think he hates me now).
The staff was friendly and gentle with my cat, which I greatly appreciated. However, the services were expensive ($ 65), especially for a student like me. The most disappointing part was that I had wanted to take him to the groomer’s in the first place because he was shedding all over the place and he was generally uncooperative when I tried to groom him myself at home. I had hoped that the groomer would get all that excess fur out, especially from his extra bushy tail, but he was still shedding normal amounts when he got home. I don’t know exactly what «combing out» means if it doesn’t mean getting all the extra fur off the animal.
A couple of extra notes:
— Not very accessible by public transportation. I had to ask a friend for a ride.
— This place doesn’t take credit cards (!!!). I wouldn’t have known this if I hadn’t asked on the phone when I made my appointment.
— Each appointment takes four hours. Although I really don’t know what they were doing for four hours if they weren’t getting my cat’s extra fur out.

We have taken our dog here 3 times. I have to admit, the first time I went in to pick up my dog (my husband drops him off and I pick him up later) I was surprised to see the «no credit cards» sign. I asked them where the nearest ATM was. They said there is one at the gas station next door but it is frequently out of order. So I walked next door and sure enough, it was not working that day. I asked in the gas station where the next closest one was and they said on Howard St. UGH! I had just walked all the way there past Howard St! I had to walk to Howard, back to Sheer Comfort, and then once again to Howard St to get back home. All because they did not warn us that they don’t take credit/​debit cards ahead of time.
They do a very good job with the actual grooming. My dog likes it there well enough and he always comes out looking great. However, we learned that they do not express the dog’s anal glands during grooming so we are not going to go back. I thought that was a standard thing during a complete grooming, but when we asked them (after we noticed the dog dragging his butt all over the floor) they said they did not offer that as a service. If our dog did not need this done routinely I would have kept taking him there, but he really needs it done so I have to find somewhere else.

Wish I could comment on the grooming but my disappointment started before the grooming ever happened. I made an appointment last week to have my golden-​chow mix groomed this morning. When we arrived the FIRST thing that I see as I approach the counter are NUMEROUS signs saying NO CREDIT CARDS. For some this is probably no big deal but I happen to be a person who generally does not like to carry cash on me and fortunately I live in an age of advanced technology that I don’t have to. I live by my debit card and use it everywhere. If this policy had been stated to me at the time I made the appointment I could have gone to my bank’s cash station (obviously to avoid the ridiculous fees other banks would charge to use their cash station) prior to arriving as my schedule for the remainder of the day would not allow me the time to do this and be back in time to pick my dog up. Also, since I was given an estimate of $ 65-​$ 85 for the cost of the grooming I again would have prefered to use my debit card since I would have had to get $ 100 out of the cash station since there is no way to get the exact amount. Anyway, I say to the woman behind the counter that I wasn’t made aware that they don’t accept credit cards so I will have to cancel the appointment. I was never given the option to pay by check; which I was told an hour after I left would have been an option. So basically I was late to work for nothing and just disappointed that my pup was not going to be able to get groomed before the holiday. I won’t attempt to go to Shear Comfort again. Instead I will do what I wish I had done in the first place and find a way to get my pup back to the best groomer that EVER touched him located in the West Loop (not to mention that she is far more reasonably priced). It’s a bit out of the way from Evanston but so far the 2 options I’ve tried in Evanston have been a disappointment. Shear Comfort needs to be more informative to new clients BEFORE they arrive. There was certainly no ‘comfort’ for me in this situation.

I went off of Unilocal to locate this establishment the place is very dirty however I looked past that because of the reviews. I was super happy when I picked up Maggie I was super excited to see her. Upon returning to home I noticed her face is completely uneven nothing matched, her nails were not trimmed, the hair in her ears was not cleaned out and she was there all day. I was planning on calling the next morning for a touch up however things changed when I realized I was not given the correct change. I paid with a $ 100.00 dollar bill, got back 18.00 in change for a $ 42.00 dollar service. When I contacted the owner I was promptly told she wasn’t going to do anything about it till Tuesday because she lives in S. E Wisconsin and she was not making a special trip home for me? She then proceeded to tell me I was mean and out of line. I can be honest I was very upset and not happy with how she responded to my initial call. She then assured me she would do me a favor and try and count it out on Sunday. I did not hear anything until I called her the following Tuesday December 8^th. She explained she was only $ 20.00 over for that day and that it could be that tips were thrown into the draw and she wasn’t even sure that it was my money. She would do me a favor and let me have the $ 20.00. A favor… hmmmm so I said keep your money in which she got very upset and lectured me on how they are working stiffs just like me and how I should be grateful for the money she is offering me. We kept going back and forth a complete waste of one’s time. She even tried to tell me that this was not a big deal because I was really only short $ 10.00 — (My change should have been $ 58.00 very simply someone forgot to give me the 2 — $ 20.00 bills) I finally agreed to take whatever handout she was willing to give me and asked her to send it to me via USPS she told me if I wanted it I could come get it. I then asked her again if she could send it I was not comfortable going into her establishment she then verified my address and added a little more lecturing and hung up on me. It is now December 17^th … weeks later I still have not received the $ 20.00 she promised. I am just shocked that this type of attitude has gotten this place 22 years in business.

Best grooming salon I’ve ever used. I have a portuguese water dog and drive 30 minutes to bring her here for grooming. I’ve tried other groomers a couple of times over the years when I was desperate and couldn’t get to Shear Comfort. However, NO ONE else knows how to properly groom a portie — our Tessa came home cut like a schnauzer from one place… a poodle from another… and a terrier from another.
Cynthia and Tammy are Pros and do a perfect job. I am stopped on the street and complimented on how beautiful my dog is… especially after she’s been groomed at Shear Comfort. And equally as important, they treat your dog with lots of TLC.