The Art of Shaving

Absolutely horrible experience at this store there needs to be an option for neg stars. I brought back a shaving brush that I bought for a gift that was falling apart within a month. And the guy proceeded to take it out of the box and rip all of the loose hairs out and let the hairs fall onto the floor. Then he tried to mock me by showing me how to properly take care of brushes and proceeds to show how to use it. Then he says these brushes are supposed to have hairs falling out. Are u kidding me? Don’t buy anything from this store the people are nasty and snobby. And they treat customers like idiots. Absolutely disgusting. Never coming back to this place again.

I’d heard about the strong salesmanship and over-​pricing of this chain. I believe it now. You are attacked as soon as you walk through the door with «The Hard Sell». This is fine, but if you’re going to choose this approach, know a little something, please.
The salesman had little knowledge of anything having to do with shaving. He did try to sell me an over-​priced shave brush ($ 180; ironically enough, their brushes have a reputation for falling apart — the knot separates from the handle) and also shave cream (of which he didn’t know much about as I mentioned some common ingredients and he quickly interrupted stating the ones in this product were superior. They were the same. I’d read them on their website). He went out of his way to point out and criticize my razor bumps, and of course, recommend a fantastic product that would help. Some salesman. I chose not to buy on principle.
I asked to see the Merkur 34C double-​edge razor and he looked at me confused and said, «34C…We don’t carry that one.» The 34C is sort of Merkur’s flagship double-​edge razor (and I know that as a lay person!) but, more importantly, sitting right there, in his display case! It’s not like they had thousands of razors of this type which he had to memorize, they had maybe 3 or 4, if that. He should know his product, especially with the aggressive sales pitch, otherwise it’s just all song and dance. I pointed out the Merkur razor to him, trying hard not to embarrass him in front of what seemed to be his supervisor (who, while impeccably dressed, apparently had no idea either as he never chimed-​in).
We spoke about straight razors which he claimed were «very easy» to use, although he had not, of course, ever used one. Nice advice. Heck, he works at «The Art of Shaving» and he wasn’t clean-​shaven himself. I just don’t get this place. It’s almost as if they put all their energy into appearance and not substance.
It’s fantastic to see dedicated shaving stores and they put on a good show but I feel they are terribly over-​priced, painfully uninformed and really need to polish up their act. A man wants to walk into a shaving store and be pleasantly greeted by friendly, knowledgeable and seasoned folk that leave him feeling like he grew a bit by the experience by the time he walks out. With the numerous choices of online retailers with excellent service, these guys are in danger of extinction.

This is the small Art of Shaving in Grand Central which does not do shaves. Nice selection of products and the staff is friendly and well informed about their line of products, which I use. Unfortunately no shaves here which is a bummer since they have an awesome shave available at another location further from my office.

My boyfriend had expressed a desire for a straight razor and so I did a little research and The Art of Shaving seems to be one of the best commercial razors out there. When I went in, the salesperson was super helpful, showing me a few razors and how to hold them.
When I picked one, he gave me a coupon for 15% off the next purchase and told me to have my boyfriend come in for a free demonstration of how to use the razor. He loved the gift of a beautiful razor and the expert demonstration helped hugely!

Last year, I had no idea what I wanted to get my husband for his birthday. I was killing some time before my train in the Lexington Passage and found myself perusing the goods inside The Art of Shaving. As said husband had recently grown a beard, I decided impulsively to go ahead and outfit him with all kinds of fancy maintenance tools. The friendly salesgirl was helpful without being pushy, which probably helped her coax me into spending an amount of money I can’t even believe on shaving supplies. That said, my husband loved it and uses the products and brush to this day.
Some locations have barbershops; this one does not.

I don’t shave but I am married to someone who has to every now and then. And after witnessing him come home butchered with uneven wack ass shaves done by amateurs I decided to take matters into my own hands. Not literally. But I passed this place on my way to buy another Xmas gift and came back. I walked in greeted immediately with a genuine smile even though I’m sure I was the 100^th browser for the poor weary sales people. But once they explained everything I was sold & I forked over $ 270 for a straight razor, a hanging strop (not strap I’ve checked) and strop lube (yes there’s lube) completely satisfied. And on Xmas day the look on his face was one of utter surprise and joy. He loves it. He’s always wanted one he says. I’m like I know, you’re wife is on top of things. I read minds. So if you want to impress your dad or that special man in your life (not the jump off) it’s worth it… seriously.