Halfords

[LemonJuice]

On my other thread a few people advised me to not go to Halfords and go to a local bike shop instead.

I have a few questions about Halfords:

1. Do you know anyone who works at Halfords? If so, what does he or she say about the place?

2. Have you ever had a good experience with Halfords?

3. Do you ever go to Halfords? Or, do you categorically refuse to even go to place?

4. Do you ever get your bike repaired or serviced at Halfords?

There is a Halfords not too far away from me. Would it be okay for me to buy anything from Halfords? I know it’s often quite convenient to just go to the closest shop to you, but should I buy stuff from other shops or online rather than Halfords?

 

[FrankCrank]

I have used Halfuds countless times, both whilst living there and now on occasional visits. Always a pleasant experience, never had any issues. Have bought car parts and bike parts, though never had to ask for any technical assistance, so can't comment on that aspect. I tinker a bit when back there, last couple of visits there I needed bottom brackets, ordered online and ready for collection a short while later. This is only at three of the Reading outlets over the years, and from some of the negative comments can only assume all branches/towns are not the same. Would be a shame if one bad experience puts you off for life.

 

[I like Skol]

Halfords has a terrible reputation on the bike repair and supply front, and not wholly undeserved. There are multiple stories of botched repairs, stripped/over-tightened bolts and of course, the near legendary backwards fork stories - www.cyclechat.net/threads/halfords-and-the-reverse-fork.75769

The trouble is that Halfords is a large chain and primarily a retailer. The assembly and repair of bikes is secondary and in a business where sales targets are the KPI this aspect of the company is always going to be neglected.

This is not the fault of the staff and there are some skilled, knowledgeable and enthusiastic employees doing their best to turn out bikes prepared and repaired to a high standard. Unfortunately there are at least as many, if not more, who have little skill, interest or knowledge for bicycle repair.

The choice is yours. You can risk it and let them work on your bike and accept that there is a not insignificant chance your bike will come back in worse condition, maybe even dangerously so, or you can take your business to someone who is a professional.

Nothing wrong with buying parts from them if you know what you want, I do. Also consider buying bikes and taking it away in the box for self-assembly or getting an LBS to do the PDI, they do some reasonable bikes, especially the Boardman range.

 

[Drago]

1. A lad I know used to. In the end he just walked out. Run ragged for poor pay, no training, expected to change shifts/hours withnzero notice, stores constantly understaffed. The pressure was horrible. He now uses the same skills as parts manager at a car dealership and earns two and a half times as much for less hours and less stress.

2. Each time I walk out the door and back into the street.

3. Not any more. I was once there and a tool chest that would normally be £200 was half price as it was ex display. I thought "I'll have that" and then had to wait at the counter while the brain donor on the till used a calculator to work out half of £200. I decided then never to patronize the establishment again, as spending money there only ever seemed to prolong the dire state of affairs.

4. No. I was once in charge of a fleet of work bicycles and had no choice buy to take them there as that's here the account was. One bike came back with both cranks pointing in the same direction so I raised merry hell with our procurement people and n LBS were only too happy to take it over.

5. I can't think of any circumstances where I could possibly recommend it.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

1: No.

2: I've some limited experience, sales wise I found them fine, they supplied a child's Carrera to me, and it was correctly and safely set up. Support wise I've asked for a gear hanger for that bike and the lad knew what it was and what size / shape to sell me.

3: Yes, see above. I've also bought tools in there and they're perfectly fine.

4: I'd not need to consider them for repairs on my bikes, but then I can do some of the jobs myself and I have 3 local bike shops (one is excellent for repair work) that are closer than Halfords.

They seem just okay to me, my local one does seem to have understaffing issues (I've seen them struggle to offer other customers detailed technical advice because "Darren isn't in today") but no real horror stories here.

 

[LemonJuice]

Has anyone ever had a bad experience with a local bike shop?

The argument for one to take his or her bike to a local bike shop rather than Halfords is because the people at local bike shop will have more experience with bikes and interested in bikes.

I did listen to the people on this forum and phoned up a local bike shop and my bike is getting sorted out in the near future.

 

[DSK]

1. Do you know anyone who works at Halfords? If so, what does he or she say about the place?
Yes. Great if you know what you want, only some staff are knowledgeable but, he doesn't recommend it for repairs/fitting to cars and bikes. Some simple jobs will be fine but for more technical stuff the expertise is not there and and a store would be lucky to have an individual who really knows their stuff from their experience who can make a good job of it.

2. Have you ever had a good experience with Halfords?
Yes, for accessories.

3. Do you ever go to Halfords? Or, do you categorically refuse to even go to place?
Yes, for accessories.

4. Do you ever get your bike repaired or serviced at Halfords?
No, I use an independent specialist.

There is a Halfords not too far away from me. Would it be okay for me to buy anything from Halfords? I know it’s often quite convenient to just go to the closest shop to you, but should I buy stuff from other shops or online rather than Halfords?
If its bike parts as per your other thread, whilst there is nothing wrong with buying parts, you'd be best to know exactly what yo are after. With regards to other accessories such clothing, shoes, helmets, lights, locks etc, absolutely don't discount it, take a look, if its works for you, buy it or, compare with other retailers.

Your bike is booked in with another independent cycle shop for the end of the month IIRC. Just let them sort it for you. I did also say its always the quality of the mechanic that makes it special and that person, whilst there will be the odd one in the odd Halfords store, its a national chain with hundreds of stores across the country. You're more likely to get a spot on service, that's also more ethical and personal from an independent, be it a 1 man band or a cycle shop.

 

[overmind]

I've got mixed feelings about Halfords.

I bought a CX10 hybrid bike about 10 years ago which was really nice to ride until someone nicked it. I used it for 5 years to get to work and really enjoyed riding it.

I bought several Apollo bikes over the years for my kids but these were not really heavily used.

I find that if you set up a Halfords bike correctly it is fine but the irony is you have to know quite a bit first. This would be:

- fixing minor truing wheel issues.
- generally tightening wheel spokes and re-truing.
- brake alignment, badly adjusted v-brakes.
- same for gears, particularly limit screws.
- bearing/hub issues; too loose or too tight or not enough grease.

These days I tend to go to Decathlon to get stuff. I find their bikes much better although some have similar issues. Occasionally, I still wander into Halfords but mostly only to compare prices.

I don't think there are as many Decathlons; I am lucky as there is one in my town although closed at the moment.

I recently bought a 2nd hand Trek 720 trekking for £150. Wow, that is a nice bike! It has index shifters and both front and rear are bang on. It is a pleasure to ride. The build quality is absolutely top notch (reynolds 530 frame?). I though £150 was a lot for an old model but it was in very good condition. Not a patch of rust and only a few minor scratches. It is an older model though; threaded headset but I like that anyway. It matches my trailing-edge technology philosophy.

I think it is similar to this one.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/2743256509...MIkaD207q66QIVVe7tCh07DgZkEAQYASABEgL7S_D_BwE

 

[FrankCrank]

I've bought 2 bikes from them, long ago, and they were fully assembled, and no complaints. If I was buying one now, I'd prefer it in a box and I do any assembly myself.
Over the years I've become more competent at bike related DIY, so it seems natural to want to do this. Others aren't as inclined, either having no time or just no interest, and taking a bike to others to fix or modify is bound to end in tears for some.
Sounds like I might have been one of the lucky ones with regard to Halfuds.

 

[Slick]

On my other thread a few people advised me to not go to Halfords and go to a local bike shop instead.

I have a few questions about Halfords:

1. Do you know anyone who works at Halfords? If so, what does he or she say about the place?

2. Have you ever had a good experience with Halfords?

3. Do you ever go to Halfords? Or, do you categorically refuse to even go to place?

4. Do you ever get your bike repaired or serviced at Halfords?

There is a Halfords not too far away from me. Would it be okay for me to buy anything from Halfords? I know it’s often quite convenient to just go to the closest shop to you, but should I buy stuff from other shops or online rather than Halfords?

There is another similar thread on the go at the minute where I posted that I think the experience you have is likely to be governed by where the are in the country as my local store is perfectly fine for all my requirements with all the staff that I have met working hard to provide a service. I still use a LBS but for reasons of loyalty more than anything else as that's where I buy most of my bikes as the choice and quality is a bit higher. If I was you and using them was convenient, I would go and get my repair or service done there and decide for myself the type of people who work there and the level of service they are likely to provide.

 

[simongt]

The fact that Halfords aka Cycle Republic have just closed all their stores nationwide doesn't say a lot for their reputation. My personal experience with the occasions that I did go to Halfords was that the staff were enthusiastic enough, but lacked in depth knowledge and commitment. Anything over ten years old and they were a bit lost.
Apparently they may be going to re-launch as an e-bike only retailer.

Woopee doodah.

 

[Cycleops]

@Drago hit the nail on the head. Halfords is run on a shoestring because it’s only there to make money, so there’s little investment in stall and training. It’s owned by a private venture capital and investments company based in Luxembourg as is listed on the Stock Exchange so is a hostage to its investors. Prior to being taken over by them in 2004 it had been owned by a couple of similar companies.
Regarding service as Dirty Harry once said “Do ya feel lucky punk, we’ll do ya” it’s like that with Halfords, sometimes you get someone who’s a bit is a bit switched on and sometimes you don’t. “Oh Kevin’s not in today and he’s our cycle expert” or “Kevin’s been moved to the motor parts department”.
You pays your money and you takes your chance.

 

[Tom B]

1. Do you know anyone who works at Halfords? If so, what does he or she say about the place?

Not personally


2. Have you ever had a good experience with Halfords?

Yes.

Once ended up with puncture 20miles from home. Had wrong tube kit on me and no money. Popped into Halfords on a begging mission. They fitted a tube for me purely on trust of me returning and paying (i did). Bought a Boardman Team FS from Halfords. About 6months later the rear shock started making unhappy knocking noises. LBS suggested warranty issue. Dropped it back at Halfords and it was sent to Rockshox / replaced without complaint.

The girl on the cycle counter at my local store is a star, she knows her stuff - certainly more than most halfords staff and goes the extra mile where possible. She knows me and my little lad well and automatically adds the CTC discount. If she's not in or one of the MTB riding student partimers is not in you're knackard.


3. Do you ever go to Halfords? Or, do you categorically refuse to even go to place?

Never say never or cut your nose to spite your face. They do some good deals and can offer some keen pricing and serve a purpose. I just would never use their repairs facilities, its too variable. Ive had a Garmin 820 for £119, Hamax Caress seat for under £85, a load of clothing from them on sale for £5 a piece on a clearance deal. Only last week i had some oem brake pads off them because they a) had them in stock B) were the cheapest around. They will also price match.


4. Do you ever get your bike repaired or serviced at Halfords?

Rather like Drago I used to have a fleet serviced with Halford's. It was a bit hit and miss and hard work. They couldnt cope with our adhoc work or without mass servicing. Stuff was often missed or not done well and need to go back. So we moved to a local mobile guy who then took the Mick (replacing wheels instead of spokes or bearings, and doing unnecessary work - only caught out when I took over the arrangements and started keeping records), we then moved to a proper LBS and have never looked back.

My localist LBS recently changed hands. I used to go monthly for truing, minor repairs and odds and ends that I either couldnt be bothered doing or was easier to get done. I'd probably spend £200 a year with him. His view was that its them jobs that pay the bills in the cold wet months. When the shop re-opened with a new guy. I went hoping to get a cable guide changed he couldn't have been less interested - so I don't bother with him any more he only seems interested in £2k+ bikes and sexy MTBs. Seems to spend more time washing his car and opening late / closing early nowadays.

So there are good and bad at both.That said the LBS had never put forks on backwards

 

[Venod]

1 No

2 Yes

3 Bought loads of stuff there cycle and motor related.

4 Having spent a lifetime mending things for a living, I do my own repairs and servicing, but from talking with the mechanic at the local one, I would let him work on my bike.

Obviously branches vary, so if you don't know the reputation of the mechanics at the local one the LBS is your best bet.

 

[overmind]

See thread above +

1. Do you know anyone who works at Halfords? If so, what does he or she say about the place?

No

2. Have you ever had a good experience with Halfords?

Yes. Very happy with them for years. Found some excellent bargains. I still love the car foot pump which are incredibly good value although cannot be used for Presta valves.

3. Do you ever go to Halfords? Or, do you categorically refuse to even go to place?

Yes. I go to Decathlon much more now though (as there is 1 in my town - but currently closed)

4. Do you ever get your bike repaired or serviced at Halfords?

No. I had some bad experiences getting spokes replaced.

There is a Halfords not too far away from me. Would it be okay for me to buy anything from Halfords? I know it’s often quite convenient to just go to the closest shop to you, but should I buy stuff from other shops or online rather than Halfords?

I think the best value is bike which are last years model which they are selling off. I think some of the parts only are good value. For me, ebay and amazon has replaced lots of this.