Praise the Halfords

[Milzy]

All the LBS have a lot of trash talk for the local halfords. In actual fact the local halfords have a few young lads and they're great mechanics. Sure they don't really show much personality but they're fast and not at all expensive. I'd rather visit them than some of the arrogant LBS who are too busy to help you. Mini rant over.

 

[Jaykun85]

Im sure there are some Nice ,Decent, Halfords employees, (kinda a oxymoron) but with past experience of them, (they wouldn't even let me borrow a chain tool to fix my bike outside there shop, and when i asked if they would do it instead they flat out refused). I would have to say the Bad outweighs the good a hell of a lot more.
My LBS aint arrogant they are just passionate about cycling and know a hell of a lot more than Halfords bonus is cos been going there on and off for a while got to know them all that work in there and they do me some great deals when ever i am in a spending mood

 

[mjr]

Yes, it's not the workers to blame - it's the system. I stopped going there because their website conceals what they have and haven't got in stock, plus if you "click and collect", you'll get various automated messages telling you it's ready for collection as scheduled whether or not it's actually ready for collection. Nothing to do with the workers, that - it's the system. Their pricing sucks, even though BC give discounts there, helping to starve local bike shops.

Similarly, the big H have some good mechanics but they also have some working unsupervised who aren't ready to do so yet. Not really the fault of the workers, that - it's the half-odds system failing again.

And finally, about the borrowing a tool: I've seen them refuse to help stranded children because it's against company policy. Those kids fixed the stricken bike of one of their number in about 30 seconds after borrowing one of my tools (a spanner, I think) outside the door.

Even the worst local bike shop is only as bad as half odds, but at least more of their profits remain in the local economy and aren't extracted to the shareholders.

 

[Drago]

Perhaps the LBS really are busy? Being busy doesn't make them arrogant - it makes them in demand, being in demand means they're probably good at what they do.

 

[Pikey]

My nearest Halfords in Trowbridge used to be excellent. Had a mechanic managing it that really cared and did his job really well.
Unfortunately he has left...
I don't go there much any more...

 

[Jaykun85]

Praise where Praise is due though there keeping my local bike shop in profit and in demand . Think i have only ever bought a sat nav from the car in Halfords, Still going strong .. good old Garmin . I'm sure some of the shops are fine if you have the right employees working there

 

[screenman]

I think H try very hard at times, I was in there once and the tech was trying to fit a 27.2 pin into a 27 or smaller seat tube, boy did he try hard and with the help of a large hammer succeeded.

It should not come loose that is certain.

 

[Dec66]

I went to my local Halfords to buy a car seat for my youngest. The guy there spent absolutely ages with us going through all our options (not easy as we have a four year old the size of a seven year old), and once we'd decided on one they agreed to price match a substantially lower internet price.

By the time he'd finished fitting the seat, and instructing us on how to do it (which he has to do, by law), it was ten past eight, ten minutes after closing time. All the staff were waiting to lock up.

We said our goodbyes, I pressed the ignition button.... Nothing. Completely flat battery.

The guy who'd done the seat went into the store, got out a charging unit, jump started us and ensured that there was enough juice in the battery to get us home safely.

Fabulous service.

Some time later, I went to get a bulb for the reversing light. I didn't know how to get the unit out; one of the lads came out of the shop, grovelled about under the car and demonstrated. There was some corrosion around the contacts; no problem, the boy chucked me a tin of contact cleaner and said "give it a go with that". Again, fantastic.

True, I knew more about disc brake pads for my Mongoose than the lad in the bike bit did when I went for some replacements, but I usually go to the LBS for any fettling requirements that are outside my ability

 

[Globalti]

OTOH the bike mechanics at Decathlon are excellent, in my experience.

 

[fossyant]

OTOH the bike mechanics at Decathlon are excellent, in my experience.

I believe so, especially Stockport.

Me, I couldn't tell you if the mechanics were good at Decathlon, Halfords or indeed my LBS - I do it myself.

 

[0lonerider]

Halfords newgate street great staff, always been good when I'v asked to order items i.e. bontrager mudguards I couldn't find anywhere also lent me tools in the past
the teamvalley branch is also a good store

 

[itchybeard]

I tend to go to Halfords or local small bike shop first (that don't stock big name brands) to seek equipment needed for the bike, then specialist shop.
I find this cheaper and the items reliable.
The Halfords youngsters are really good, if I have an issue, I bring my bike in, they tend to look at it, fiddle with a few things and let me go free of charge, at times they come outside, tell me what's up and don't expect anything.

Local bike dealers tend to be a little more sensitive, a bit more expectant. They are knowledgeable on parts and brands and differences, they tend to be more intrinsic abut the item, this includes slating ''lower'' shops beneath them. Also the cost of getting things done is a lot more.

And I feel, they don't always know more, they only know what they have, and that's what they talk about and comes across as narrow knowledge, viewpoint and a little square in a specialist store. The range of items is less than Halfords as more specific thus knowledge is less but they come across as knowing more...I also feel the individuals that shop in the specialist shop are not always knowing, a bit pretentious, buying high priced item because they don't tend to fiddle with their bike and fix a problem but buy there way out of it.

 

[Milkfloat]

I had no idea that there were two chains both called Halfords. I certainly don't recognise this 'good' Halfords you all speak about. I only recognise inept schoolboys with lump hammers and a shop whose web system claims an item is ready for pickup when it isn't.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I've had some clueless service in independent bike shops, as I'm sure have many others. But as they aren't part of a chain of stores each individual incident can't be held against all LBSs. One incident at Halfords can lead to the assumption that they are all as bad.

 

[Sixmile]

On my last visit to Halfords the guy in the bike dep was very apologetic over their inept system of stock control. They had about half of what I'd reserved even though the website said they had it all. It happens with every order I place but I've learned to accept it and as long as I'm getting a few wee bargains I'm happy enough!