Vince Green Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 Popped into Halfords yesterday to get some bits but everything is so expensive in there now. It used to set its reputation on being value for money but it seems to have completely lost its sense of direction. Has anyone else noticed this or is it just me being a grumpy old man? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 You probably are a grumpy old man same as me. I thought that though. I think they've diversified too much away from what they used to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 We use a little independant vehicle spares shop now as Halfords are expensive and don't seem to stock a lot of spares now. Full of gadjets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 Yup, same with us we use a little local independent, i can buy single nuts and bolts and ge great advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clakk Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 our Halfords is full of students ,very polite students but know zilch about cars.and everything Halfords sell is cheaper from the internet shops with free delivery.we dont have a local car parts shop to support so evilbay is my friend .I dont want a cuddlly toy or electric car fridge just filters and oil at a good price.oil is cheaper in Asda /Tesco,s as are wiper blades de icer etc.Theyre pricing themselves out of the market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sha Bu Le Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 Not only cost but also quality of service, friend of mine; a keen mountain biker bought a bike from Halfords. Told them to just put the box in his 4x4, was told not allowed to do that we must assemble it.......health and safety?? First time out going downhill, quite a steep one, put the brakes on and the handlebars came off. He was lucky to escape relatively unhurt but his brand new bike was a wreck. Took it back to Halfords and created absolute hell, told them they were set of incompetent muppets or similar! Manager (large one) arrived and tried to intimidate my mate. Fortunately he was a good 4" bigger than the manager and not a person to be intimidated. So with more words of admonishment and threats with H & S, trading standards etc he got his money back. Then went elsewhere for another bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 Halfords-value for money...Christ on a bike-how long ago was that? The place is simply an outlet for goods that just happen to be car parts-you would get better mechanical advice from your nearest Mc Donnalds in most cases. Only time I go is when they sell the 5ltr oils at £10 in which case I buy 4 or 5 and keep my car serviced for pennies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 Halfords is and always was expensive and simply has gotten worse over time, however for people who can't be bothered to go to motor factors or shop around or want to get hands dirty changing a bulb or wiper blade, there is still a need, even if a premium price and that is what they rely on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 Well they serve enough people to stay open! The oil is good value for money when on special offer and they were by far the best value when I needed a new battery earlier this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 Popped into Halfords yesterday to get some bits but everything is so expensive in there now. It used to set its reputation on being value for money but it seems to have completely lost its sense of direction. Has anyone else noticed this or is it just me being a grumpy old man? Absolutely agree, they'll soon go the way of most supermarkets and DIY chains which suddenly sit up and realise they have a laughable bottom line annual net profit. The prices are often 40% more than you can find elsewhere and that's not taking into account the £1 a throw wiper blades from Wilkinson I have walked in there fully intending to spend £40 odd on polish/shampoo etc but just cannot bring myself to keep them afloat using my money. Incidentally having spent serious money trying to find a car shampoo that will foam and not leave streaks I eventually gave up and bough some from Morrisons for £2.50, you guessed it, the stuff is absolutely excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 It is a long time since Halfords sold stuff at competitive prices. It's a shame, because I'm sure they could be easily so much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pimpkiller Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 Its been rubbish for a loooong time probably because they are the only car part supermarket. There's still something off putting about having to talk to a weido behind the parts counterin a motor factors, oh and dont forget the boy racers buying stuff in halfords Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesj Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 My favourite halfrauds storey happened a few years ago, I went in for a light bulb or some thing and was stood waiting at the till as the guy in front was trying to return an impact driver that wasn't working. The lad on the till said they couldn't dive the guy a replacement as it looked like he had been hitting it with a hammer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Funker Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 (edited) Halfords-value for money...Christ on a bike-how long ago was that? The place is simply an outlet for goods that just happen to be car parts-you would get better mechanical advice from your nearest Mc Donnalds in most cases. Only time I go is when they sell the 5ltr oils at £10 in which case I buy 4 or 5 and keep my car serviced for pennies. Haha this is the only time I ever go into halfords. I do exactly the same. Edited October 4, 2015 by Muddy Funker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozzy518 Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 I bought a bike there for my sons Christmas present. Bought n paid for a good two weeks before the day and was told they would assemble it etc and I was to collect it on Christmas Eve. Went on the Christmas Eve to collect it to find they had forgotten. I told em just gimme the bike in the box and was told bout them having to assemble it etc. A one way conversation ensued between me and the Manager, resulting in me going home with a bike in bits in a box and my Christmas Eve spent with spanners! Won't ever go into Halfrauds again . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 Not only cost but also quality of service, friend of mine; a keen mountain biker bought a bike from Halfords. Told them to just put the box in his 4x4, was told not allowed to do that we must assemble it.......health and safety?? First time out going downhill, quite a steep one, put the brakes on and the handlebars came off. He was lucky to escape relatively unhurt but his brand new bike was a wreck. Took it back to Halfords and created absolute hell, told them they were set of incompetent muppets or similar! Manager (large one) arrived and tried to intimidate my mate. Fortunately he was a good 4" bigger than the manager and not a person to be intimidated. So with more words of admonishment and threats with H & S, trading standards etc he got his money back. Then went elsewhere for another bike. You can take them home in a box, I have done. Whilst I wouldn't have liked to have had the experience your mate did, I would have checked it over myself first anyway. Wouldn't trust those spotty kids to put my bike together properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 Whenever I go in there it seems they let a muppet on the shop floor chose the music, last time it was some thumping house turned up a lot. I think the staff out numbered me 6 to 1, it was empty. I grabbed some oil got to check out and there was a large girl talking to her mate not a worker but also a big unit both were nodding their head in time to the music and the conversation was about their night out. I was ignored completely, I tried to interrupt and an slight brake in their conversation and asked if she was serving, all I got was a grunt through the chomping on gum face. I asked her to put the oil back and left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuffy Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 Halfords for cheap oil only . Grips my *** when they don't stock simple stuff then say they can order it sir ! I can order stuff myself and get it delivered cheaper . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doggone Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 I went to halfords last night for a disco headlight bulb. Buy a pair he said, cheaper. Ok. £16.99. Called at tescos filling station on the way home and noticed a rack of light bulbs. Exactly the same bulb was £3.49. Last time I go to halfords for anything !! Ever !! Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordieh Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 My mrs needed new wiper blades for a corsa for the MOT this week I told her to have a look in B+M she went in and they were 99p she thought that was a bit cheap so she went to Halfords they wanted £39 a pair.They asked if she wanted them fitting she said not at that price and went back to B+M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewh100 Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 my son had an in car system with sat nav all the top stuf on it cost 350 took them four months to get the right trim to finish it of. I ended up conplaining they ended up giving him all his money back so wasn't to bad in the end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam1e Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 As has been said "Halfrauds" has been a rip-off for years. Although, being totally objective, I don't recall them being as bad in the early days??? Fortunately for me, we have 2 different motor factors 200 yards from my local "Halfrauds", so I usually get what I want from either of the 2. Occasionally, I pop into Halfrauds after buying an item from a motor factor, to compare prices. I'm yet, to not be shocked by their greedy high prices. Having said all that, I appreciate people use them for the convenience.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 I am old enough to remember when Halfords sold parts for cars!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrowningB525 Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 I reckon their professional" tools are about the best value a diyer can get. They are no snap on, but they're a lot cheaper. especially if you can get trade discounts. If you go much cheaper and the quality really drops off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bb Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 I occasionally go in, if I've a few minutes to spare, just to savour the experience of a shop with absolutely no customers. I don't know how they stay in business. Their bikes and biking gear are carp and, as has been said, they stock little of any relevance to car maintenance. Five miles away I have an independent shop which is a joy, the bloke knows exactly what he's selling, his prices are good and, for things like wiper blades, he'll step outside and fit them for you. I'll do all I can to support shops like this rather than the uncaring nationals. My next least favourite group is B&Q, they really do boil my urine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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