Halfords staff, not the sharpest tools in the box ...

[lordrobs]

Don't know why people do this, the same as those that try and be smart in high street pc stores

It makes them feel special inside. The fact is that if you go into Halfords on a weekend day or during the evening then you will be dealing with school / college kids trying to earn a few extra quid. I used to work in a garden centre when I was at school and OMFG I knew jack about plants.

OP- Have you ever worked on a checkout? Supermarket or anywhere else it is the same deal. You turn up, disengage brain and collect your pay at the end of the week, its how you deal with the boredom! I myself have made stupid mistakes like that when serving time as a till monkey.

 

[Hxc]

I work in a kitchinwear store and know bugger all about cooking. I am glad we don't have a consumer demographic that would come in and ask for imaginary products....

 

[Gav]

The thing about halfords is that it is staffed by kids who are generally to young to know anything mechanical about cars. They are normally ok(ish) with bikes and airfreshners but thats about it..

 

[[TW]Fox]

The thing about halfords is that it is staffed by kids who are generally to young to know anything mechanical about cars. They are normally ok(ish) with bikes and airfreshners but thats about it..

Exactly. Guys with proper car knowledge can earn more money working in proper garages than they can at Halfords, so the place is devoid of any.

 

[Fropome]

--

 

[numnutz]

Always hit and miss at Halfords Leamington. Last time I managed to get an older guy who knew exactly what I needed, just didn't know how to use the computer system to find it, luckily he could communicate to the teenage worker what to search for and I managed to get what I went in for.

Trade Oil is still pretty cheap, I picked up 5L of 5w40 fully synth for £16, was halfords brand, but that's just repackaged Comma.

 

[.one.]

Perhaps i need to reread the ops post but how is it the girls fault serving on the till ?

 

[stockhausen]

Halfords staff with cars are like PC World staff with knowledge on computers.

I buy from overclockers as the staff in the shop know what they are on about.

Overclockers do oil filters and oil now

Doesn't mean that the thread title mentions a competitor

 

[bigsharn]

*snip*

Actually it's because I'm an unemployed student with nothing to do, and it gets me off Battlefield for a while

 

[miniyazz]

Overclockers do oil filters and oil now

Doesn't mean that the thread title mentions a competitor

Well that makes a change. I was just thinking this thread was suffering from an overflow of common sense and a lack of drivel.



Anyway, since when did Halfords stop stocking a decent range of batteries
Went there this morning to get one for a friend's old Ford Scorpio (diesel, 2.5l, M reg) and they apparently didn't have a suitable one in stock..

 

[s0ck]

All the staff in my local are really attractive college/uni girls.

Same.
I love Halfords.

 

[Skeeter]

Went into my local Halfords the other day, guy on the till was a guy who I used to work with on Produce in Tesco who was fired for basically being useless.

Kinda says it all.

 

[Jonny ///M]

Yep poor wages seems to be a major factor .

Never buy a bike from them or take it in for repair it just sits out the back for 3 weeks with a next day return promise every day, on return it is either worse or has not been touched .

Sounds like a bikehut employee to me?

As a former employee, I'd say standards vary widely based around who it is that serves you in the store. Staff training is minimal to non-existent, people are expected to 'get on with it' and thus you get some staff who are knowledgable and helpful because they made the effort to actually be good at their job (or already knew a lot because it interested them - there are a few decent audio specialists and cycle mechanics around but their skills/knowledge comes from their previous work or personal interests rather than much training provided by the employer).

Then you get the part time staff hired cheaply who aren't at all interested in providing a good service or gaining knowledge about their products - for them the customer is largely an inconvenience who actually makes them work for their wages.

I know I was good at my job (and have letters from customers to prove it) but what I learned to enable me to do it well came from my own research and being shown by other staff who decided it was their job to impart knowledge on an informal basis, rather than anything halfords put on for me. If someone isn't motivated by themselves to gain product knowledge...then they won't have any. Customer service skills aren't taught either.

Can echo this to be honest. Been in my local one part time for 4 years now and know what I know from being interested in cycling and taking time to read forums and research brands as far as possible. Didn't help that I worked in another bike shop which was a conflict of interests though! Most are on the same minimum wage but since only a few are actually good with bikes they get that work whilst those that don't get easier work :S Most of the part time staff I worked alongside where actually pretty smart and mostly in further education, how much would you care for <£200?

I'm honest when somebody asks for help with a stereo and I'll say I will get them someone who 'should' know what they are doing.

Won't comment on the management! Also the company seems to have changed with the change of CEO. It used to actually be about providing good customer service now it's all about keeping KPIs high,selling bike care plans(which have went up in price),fitting bulbs,£1.50 batteries and half price GT85!