Oh my god Halfords

[Nearly there]

To fair to the mechanic he was trying to help me and was embarrassed

 

[guitarpete247]

I once, looked up for stock availability for some pedals. Site said my local store had them in stock.
When I went in they didn't. Guy at the counter checked the web-site and agreed there should be some in store but after checking they didn't have any.

They did offer to order me some and post them too me at no cost but I knew I could get some on-line cheaper than they did them for anyway. I'd just wanted to buy from a store as 1st choice.

 

[Nearly there]

I once, looked up for stock availability for some pedals. Site said my local store had them in stock.
.

I checked again before and the web site still says they are in stock at that store

 

[guitarpete247]

Halfords stock control must be useless. You'd have thought they would have more knowledge of what they have in store, unless there is a lot of staff pilfering.

 

[screenman]

Why not write to this guy,
Dennis Millard

Putting the words chairmans complaint on both the outside of the envelope and on the letter itself. I bet you get a response that you will be pleased with.

At Halfords HQ of course which is,



Halfords Ltd
Icknield Street Drive
Washford West
Redditch
Worcestershire
B98 0DE

 

[runner]

For when I want to buy parts here and now, I'd usually pop down to Halfords as it is the most convenient - However today on my quest for bike lubricants I popped down to my closest LBS, and the conversation went something like this:

"Hi, do you have any Finish Line Dry in stock?"
"No, sorry, we don't stock that."
"Oh.. Do you have any other dry lubes?"
"Nope, sorry - All we have is GT85"

So much for trying to support the LBS if they don't even stock essentials like lubricants! Ended up going to another bike shop in town that appeared much better stocked, so I think I might be going there more often.

Which proves all our experience is subjective...if you have a good experience be the shop small or a large conglomerate you will say nice things about them...but perhaps I'm stating the bleeding obvious

 

[growingvegetables]

Can i just add this whole episode lasted 40 minutes in total

Only 40 minutes, though. Hey - no argument; the service was shoddy and incompetent.

But kudos for the mechanic - how many hours of every working day does he have to cope with the cr@p. Managers who can't manage, stock control which doesn't control stock, a 6 kg handbook of rules preventing any sensible action while the "manager" is on lunch, etc etc etc.

Guy's wondering what the hell he could possibly have done in a previous life to deserve such a penance, truly p!ssed that he doesn't remember it, and still does his best.

 

[Recycler]

I've found my local Halfords to be pretty good. They've made mistakes but they're friendly and they do try to get it right. The manager has cycled John O' Groats to Lands End for charity so he has earnt my respect!

 

[Nearly there]

I still cant digest the fact the manager was in store but didnt come out to see me because he was on his lunch

 

[subaqua]

I still cant digest the fact the manager was in store but didnt come out to see me because he was on his lunch

because he is entitled to a lunch break by law. maybe he had had to move it previously and didn't get bit back so has decided on work to rule. who knows.

that said halfords do have a particularly crap stock. the one at lakeside didn't have any cranksets on the shelf at all. and the miserable guy behind the till was no help . went to go outdoors ( which some say have a crap business model as they have a member card) and they had several bottom end shimano on the shelf.

 

[Moodyman]

Well what this episode shows to me is anyone wanting advice...anyone wanting good bike service there is only one place to go...the local LBS...and I've had recent reason to say again...support your local bike shop...

Depends who the LBS is. I found that both of my two local ones have an attitude. They're fine if you know nowt. But if you know what you're talking about and specific your wants, they get cross that you question their judgement.

 

[MarkF]

because he is entitled to a lunch break by law. maybe he had had to move it previously and didn't get bit back so has decided on work to rule. who knows.

Then he is in the wrong job, he is a retail shop manager, that entails dealing with the customers, his wage payers. His lunch break is of little importance when a customer has been let down and is in need of assistance, there and then. He can have his lunch any time after.

I can't really see what the hapless mechanic did wrong as infuriating as the wait must have been, but the "manager"? If I had been told he was too busy to see me because he was having his lunch then I'd have been over the counter in a flash .

 

[Recycler]

If I had been told he was too busy to see me because he was having his lunch then I'd have been over the counter in a flash .

And, if you did that, they would have been perfectly entitled to throw you out. These things may be a bit frustrating at times but a bit of give and take usually works wonders.

 

[Maylian]

Got to admit I steer well clear of Halfords apart from buying the odd sponge ever since I took a bike in for them to replace the brake pads. They took 1 week to get the pads and let me know, I paid and collected the bike only to find they hadn't replaced the pads.....went back in immediately and they argued with me about keeping the bike in store whilst they fixed their mess saying they didn't have space.

Awful store chain in my opinion, but I don't normally begrudge someone a lunch break. Having worked in retail I know how often I've missed it completely to deal with various emergencies. Jumping over the counter immediately makes you wrong and will only make you angrier when the police escort you away.

 

[redcard]

Halfords works well if you know what you want, they have it in stock, and you don't have deal with anyone other than the kid at checkout.
If those stars don't align, then the chance of there being an almighty balls up increase by 1000%.

I'm amazed they're still in business. The few times I've been in the local store it always seems deserted.