Happy Halfords

[funk my fixie]

Hey all,

Below is a thread re Halfords. I have read what the OP and others think of the service and am not disputing their comments in any way, shape or form, however, I went to Halfords the other day as they are definitely cheaper for some things than my LBS. I ride on 700 x 23c tyres and am fed up with all the times I have punctures, (Mainly from thorns) and so I was looking for some innertubes.

Anyway, I often chat to the guys who work there as they seem to know a fair bit about bikes. They always make time for me and are happy to answer my often silly questions. On this occasion one of the guys advised me to use/buy these instant patches for punctures which I have since used and I must say they work well. I also purchased two inner tubes as I was advised they had a deal on which meant I got a third free.

I don't know about the web service or how your local Halfords employees deal/dealt with you, but I do know that the Halfords in Dunfermline Scotland has two outstanding gents working there who are always ready and willing to help.

Keep up the effort chaps, you get my big shout out for the day

 

[Gary E]

So how long have you and your mate worked at Halfords in Dunfermline then?

But seriously - Halfords is a huge company that has a product range way bigger than just bikes. It therefore shouldn't be surprising that the quality of service differs from store to store and in some instances from employee to employee within the same store.

It would be wrong to say that all Halfords stores give poor service but then it would also be wide of the mark to say that all stores were good.

Glad you had a positive experience. I'm sure that for some people the best LBS in their area really is Halfords.

I, on the other hand, would argue that in my particular area you'd get better service and cycling advice from the local branch of Wilkinsons

 

[toroddf]

I was planning to buy a new bike this year after one too many expensive bike breakdowns and train tickets. So I went to three bike shops and the local Halford's to do some researches. The three bikeshops were trying to sell me their bikes and did a sell by mocking my bike. I then went to Halford's and spoke to a guy there who knew my bike well as he had been working for the brand before. He had a quick look at it and simply told me to get new parts worth £ 100 altogether as the bike is an old steel bike and will last me decades. His lenghty advices made a lot of sense to me and my recession hit wallet. So I will do what he told me.

As this guy "barred" me from buying a bike from them and told me to keep my old faithful one, I shall not reveal it's name in case the branch manager reads this and finds out that they lost out on the sale of a bike. But I will buy everything on the list their employee gave me and transfer all my fatso-on-a-bike business to this branch of Halford's.

 

[D7JAB]

My two local halfords are great! Happy to help and 1 branch has a very keen cyclist working there with loads of information and advice. Also is you order online and pick up in store you got 20% off therfore making it cheaper than a lot of other shops and online! Some things however its best to shop about for a bit more choice.

 

[MickL]

Happy with the service I got as well when picking my roadie, very helpful even when the back light bounced across the road(They fitted it so its there fault not the pot hole I hit...) they replaced it straight away. like Gary E says its not every store/worker.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

My pump had broke and decided on the topeak road morph.

Looked around on the web and halfords with it's 20%discount web price was the cheapest.

Ok if you are looking for a bike or for servicing things might be different but when people describe the store as halfrauds I just think snob.

 

[fossala]

My halfords are nice but usless at the same time.

 

[jowwy]

went to my local halfords last night for a crown race for my new forks - they didnt have what i wanted but they guy rang around the 3 other stores within 10 miles of me until he found what i needed and got it for me at half price too............top man

 

[funk my fixie]

................And so you see, plenty of good experiences at Halfords as well. I agree with Essexmike, there are too many snobs out there and an old adage springs to mind.............'A fool and his money are easily parted'. If the parts work to the same standard, or the servicing is as good then why go to a really expensive LBS. I think it is 'NICE' that some people wish to stop a monopoly situation, but do these people shop on their high street for food or like the rest of us do they go to Tesco, Asda, Morrisons etc etc? Of course they do! I bet, like me, they also frequent GREGGS instead of their local cake shop (unless it happens to be GREGGS ), to enjoy those tasty sausage rolllllllllssssssssssss (said in a Homer Simpson voice uuuurrrrrrggggghhhhhh mmmmmmmmmmm ). So why worry about your LBS? Protect your wallet that's what I say

 

[toroddf]

I bought a 1 man £ 20 tent from them and slept in it on the top of a mountain night to Wedensday. Excellent tent and very much recommended. See tent here and my review at the same place.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

My pump had broke and decided on the topeak road morph.

Looked around on the web and halfords with it's 20%discount web price was the cheapest.

Ok if you are looking for a bike or for servicing things might be different but when people describe the store as halfrauds I just think snob.

Update:Although it was the cheapest,I'm not to sure about there delivery times as i ordered it over a week ago and i'm still waiting.

 

[Electric_Andy]

I would say that Halfords is a bit like the internet for shopping - if you know what you are looking for and they are the cheapest then by all means go there. I've had so many bad experiences from my local Halfords (not just from the bike section) that my opinion is negatively biased. I think one of their biggets problems is staffing - they tend to put young people on at evenings and weekends which is often the busiest times, and they get overwhelmed with questions that they might not know the answer to, and there are no seniors around to ask. My one word of advice is not to buy their own brand (BikeHut), as everything I've bought in the past has broken or even not worked from the outset, including 2 quite expensive locks and various tools and accessories.

 

[defy-one]

I went to Halfords slough today, the guy couldn't get the D lock off the boardman team, so he let me sit on the comp. nice bike, but the service/knowledge left a lot to be desired.
Will try the Uxbridge store tommorow, and if they are similar .... I win't be buying a boardman!!!


Sent by iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[toroddf]

I have just got my bike back from Halfords after they repaired the mess their local rip-off competitor created for me. I got the repair for free from Halfords. Which is extreme kind of them. Their repair was worth £ 15 and I stood there with a £ 20 banknote in my hand and a dropped jaw to the floor.

They have now converted me to a loyal customer as they were speaking a lot of sense too. And yes, I know I am lucky to have found a truly superb Halfords branch. Life is all about luck and sometimes; the lack of it.

£ 15 has been donated in their name to the local cancer charity.

 

[GBC]

Is it the Braehead branch you use?. I went there after getting pissed about at the Rutherglen one.....chalk and cheese; they just couldn't have been more helpful.