Halfords - I forgot how bad they are

They are fine if you have a trade card, other than that you are just paying punter prices and are best off at a motor factor.
 
Halfords have their place - its stupid to go into a store expecting all the staff to have specialist knowledge.

When I urgently needed a new battery on a Sunday afternoon for instance Halfords was the only place open.

Also had a good experience having some tyres fitted at a Halfords garage recently and they were willing to match internet prices.
 
A huge amount of people do use Halfords. The fitting service on minor items seems to be popular all be it expensive. I suppose they can justify it as they can do things on the spot, when a lot of independents require you to book which can take days.

Seeing as a lot of people have no idea how to lift the bonnet, let alone change a bulb I suppose they have found a gap in the market and charge accordingly.
 
I agree.

It is irritating having to ask the cashier every time I want to know a price though, as the trade card discount varies wildly product to product.

You'd think there would be some form of self-scanning price check point to check trade prices. I understand they would never put trade price labels up as it would highlight to regular customers how ass-poundingly expensive their bulbs are!

This, sometimes things I expect to be discounted with a trade card aren't and I leave it at the till and go elsewhere!
 
Agree that is particularly frustrating - if I'm looking to buy something and I know in advance I ususally call up and get them to check the price first
 
Headlight bulb went on the Mrs car at 7:30 pm a few weeks back. I was out and she was going to visit mates so told her to go to halfords as they'll fit it too.

£9.99 to fit a headlight bulb in a Skoda Fabia. They don't get much damn easier.
Twice as much as the bulb cost to buy.

Never again
 
Headlight bulb went on the Mrs car at 7:30 pm a few weeks back. I was out and she was going to visit mates so told her to go to halfords as they'll fit it too.

£9.99 to fit a headlight bulb in a Skoda Fabia. They don't get much damn easier.
Twice as much as the bulb cost to buy.

Never again

They're a business, they're out to make money. Do you expect them to have hundreds of prices to account for how easy or hard the job is on each car?
Some cars (Megane etc) are a nightmare, whereas some are easier. Plus, if your missus couldn't do it I'm sure it was worth it.
 
They're a business, they're out to make money. Do you expect them to have hundreds of prices to account for how easy or hard the job is on each car?
Some cars (Megane etc) are a nightmare, whereas some are easier. Plus, if your missus couldn't do it I'm sure it was worth it.

Exactly.

I was quite happy for a member of their staff to fit a bulb in my Mk 1 Focus in the pouring rain one freezing December evening. Focus bulbs are notoriously fiddly to fit. £7 well spent I say. ;)
 
Sale stuff, misprices, 3for2's and the pro tool range (again when on sale)

Anything else go elsewhere lol, or as above a sneaky way to pay a few quid to have them change yer bulbs in nasty weather haha
 
They're a business, they're out to make money. Do you expect them to have hundreds of prices to account for how easy or hard the job is on each car?
Some cars (Megane etc) are a nightmare, whereas some are easier. Plus, if your missus couldn't do it I'm sure it was worth it.


Erm yep. They price "from" 9.99 so It looks like they charge if it more diffucult.

My local motor factors is also a business and they wouldn't have charged her anywhere near that much if at all.
 
Headlight bulb went on the Mrs car at 7:30 pm a few weeks back. I was out and she was going to visit mates so told her to go to halfords as they'll fit it too.

£9.99 to fit a headlight bulb in a Skoda Fabia. They don't get much damn easier.
Twice as much as the bulb cost to buy.

Never again

Yeah and all the liability insurance etc?
 
Or those who don't really care about the price given the availability and convenience on offer



£50 says this never happened

Don't know, Not seen it myself, but I've heard it from sensible friends that used to work there. After seeing the way some of their fitters go at a car to get a bulb fitted, I'll pass anyway.
I'd say the chances are high that batteries have been fitted incorrectly, less high that this actually did damage!
 
See, I *love* going into Halfrauds!!

The best part is where they insist on knowing what car I drive, so they can "make sure" the NGK DPR8EA9 spark plug I have quite specifically asked for is actually the right one for said car.
Despite me being clad top-to-toe in leather and placing a very obvious motorcycle helmet on their counter, they always have trouble finding any "Yamaha FJ1200 motorcycle" cars in their database...
 
One of the Stig lines from Top Gear was going to be "Some say he once looked up a car part on a Halfords list, and it fitted his car" but it was rejected as too unbelievable.
 
Halfwits are only used by people who are not in the know about prices.

Under normal circumstances I agree but when they have offers on (which a lot of motor factors don't have) they can be brilliant. They often have AutoGlym stuff 3 for 2 for example. Also bought 10 litres of screen wash for £4 the other day, not sure that could be beaten.


Exactly.

I was quite happy for a member of their staff to fit a bulb in my Mk 1 Focus in the pouring rain one freezing December evening. Focus bulbs are notoriously fiddly to fit. £7 well spent I say. ;)

Having fitted them myself, you sir are an evil genius :D
 
See, I *love* going into Halfrauds!!

The best part is where they insist on knowing what car I drive, so they can "make sure" the NGK DPR8EA9 spark plug I have quite specifically asked for is actually the right one for said car.
Despite me being clad top-to-toe in leather and placing a very obvious motorcycle helmet on their counter, they always have trouble finding any "Yamaha FJ1200 motorcycle" cars in their database...

I don't see the problem with this really. Just explain its for a bike and be done! Just because you're in leathers etc isn't cause to assume it's for a bike...

From the staff point of view, its better to ask the question because in retail markets such as automotive or computing, the general public have vague idea of something remotely technical and think they know exactly what they need but 90% of the time, they don't.
 
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