Halfords, Your Opinion

hednesfordxcer

I'm currently in a dispute with Halfords about my bike, basicallty I want a refund or replacement bike. At moment they want to service bike, and issue me with loan bike (lower spec). A relative of mine seemed surprised when I said Halfords don't have the best reputation with MTBers, but I may be wrong, hence this thread. So what's your experiences with Halfords, good or bad, who knows, might make a difference, cheers

CitizenLee

How old is the bike and what is wrong with it?

Dont forget about the Sale of Goods Act which states a product should be fit for purpose for a reasonable amount of time after purchase. This goes above and beyond the warranty. I'm not sure what is considered "reasonable time" for bikes but give Trading Standards a call or visit their website if you need to know more.

As for my experiences with Halfords.... I did once take my BMX there to get a set of 3pc cranks fitted as I was too lazy to do it myself. When I went to pick it up I tired to turn the cranks and they locked solid... I then looked in the box of bits they gave me back and found they hadn't fitted the center tube spacer! Total noobs. I went back in, gave them some stick, got my cash back and then took it home to do it the old fashioned way with bit of wood and a rubber mallet.

Now I'll only go there to buy emergency inner-tubes or cheap tools / spray paint.

Thantos

I have heard many a bad thing about the people that work there being incompetant and the bikes they sell being poorley put together.
On a personal scale, i have never had a problem.
My Mum and Dad bought a cheap mountain bike for my brother 2 weeks ago. The brakes started squeaking and the chain constantly slipped. We took it back and they took it in, diagnosed it as faulty and gave my brother a brand new bike without looking at any paperwork.

supersonic

As you have had the bike a while, and accepted the goods, they are quite within their rights to offer to repair the goods if a 'minor' fault arises. From the government site:

"The Sale of Goods Act 1979 says that you can usually only reject goods and have a refund within the first few weeks after purchase. After this length of time, the Sale of Goods Act says that you are allowed to claim 'reasonable compensation', usually, a repair or the cost of repair"

However it can depend on the severity of the problem, and whether the bike has been adequately maintained.

bryanm

Halfords are like any large chain store - there's good ones and bad ones. The quality of staff can vary considerably from store to store and because it's fairly low paid there's a high turnover of staff.
Some people don't rate Halfords - no idea I've never bought a bike from them, others don't rate Evans, but personally they've always been fine for me.

forlorn hope

my local one is quite good they have trued two wheels for me fine,and
fitted a crown race for nothing(i know it was only a 2 second job)
I work very close so it is handy.

ddraver

i ve never found a good one yet............

supersonic

I had the pleasure of working there for two years, and their ethos is somewhat different to a normal bike shop. head office is way behind the times, and much depends on your store manager. Many think a bike is just a bike, and any tom, richard or harry can put one together. Some are good, some are bad, and some are very definitely ugly.

saracen blitz chris

I have never actually had a good experience with them. I bought my bike a couple of years back (i didnt rly know much about bikes) in the first 4 months of owning the bike halfords had it for 3 since then it has been in and out. The latest being that it took over a month to change a bottom bracket! Every time i have found their service less than satisfactory!

Kind of a shame really as they do sell some quality bikes. :?

Andy

saracen blitz chris wrote:

I have never actually had a good experience with them. I bought my bike a couple of years back (i didnt rly know much about bikes) in the first 4 months of owning the bike halfords had it for 3 since then it has been in and out. The latest being that it took over a month to change a bottom bracket! Every time i have found their service less than satisfactory!

Kind of a shame really as they do sell some quality bikes. :?

You bought a Saracen, thats asking for trouble.

saracen blitz chris

I know that now! unfortunatly i found that out the hard way.

As i said i really didnt know much about bikes when i bought it!

craig rocks

my bike broke and they said they could fix it dead easy so they had it for 4 days then phoned me up and said they did nt have the tool to the job not very good would not use them ever :!:

whitetux

Halfords is rubbish! I got a rubbsihy apollo for my birthday a few years ago (i wasnt very good then and didnt know very much) the rear mech bent after three days. They have no idea how to fix bikes, just dont go there.

petejuk

I 'm currently in a dispute with Halfords about my bike, basicallty I want a refund or replacement bike. At moment they want to service bike, and issue me with loan bike (lower spec). A relative of mine seemed surprised when I said Halfords don't have the best reputation with MTBers, but I may be wrong, hence this thread. So what's your experiences with Halfords, good or bad, who knows, might make a difference, cheers

If you scroll through any bike forums you'll find many, many Halfords horror stories. If they wish to service your bike and give you a loan bike of lower spec in the short term, it may be they're intending to keep your bike for a while. This can't be good. If you really wish to leave your bike with them, don't take their loan bike. Instead, press them for a date and time when you'll be able to collect it and get them to tell you exactly what it needs. If they fail to meet the deadline, they are already on the back-foot. You can now inform them that you need your bike urgently and they will need to get it roadworthy straight away. If they can't do this, they will have failed you twice, at which point you tell them that you are very unsatisfied with the service you have received and you intend to take it somewhere else. If its their free service they offer after you purchased your bike with them, its probably worth nothing anyway as you won't be a high priority to them and may not even do the bare minimum.
Some people have had good service from them but this clearly varies from store to store. Personally, I'd always place my trust in a local bike shop that has been around for years. They've been around for years because they enjoy what they do, know how to do it and have built up a customer base over the years that continue to return to the shop because they get good service

hednesfordxcer

i know someone from halfords is going to be looking at this, so keep 'em coming, good or bad

MentalRaver

My experiences with Halford.........

1. I bought a bike from there for the other half. I had to wait a day for the PDI (fair enough) before I could collect it. I got the bike and went to go on a ride with the gf.

As she pedalled way the gears skipped and clunked around. I stopped her and I checked over the bike myself and discovered that;
a) the gears were correctly adjusted at all; front and rear
b) the brakes were at their furthest adjustment on the levers and were not that close at all to the rims.
c) the quick releases were LOOSE!

Unbelievable. The ride become a mechanic session for a while and was a real downer.

2. My friend went against my advice and decided to buy a bike from there. I went along to look at the shiny products and listened to his so called deal.

He bought a Kona Scrap and part of the deal was that "the bike will PDI'd properly." Despite him saying he was a motorbike mechanic and can do everything he needs maintenance wise on a bike they still offered him a 3 year bike plan!!!!

On top of all this malarky, the lad doing the deal said that he had a big hit, a carbon racer, etc etc. and when asked if he could wheelie or track stand he just looked blank. A total blagger.

3. My colleague at work went in there and asked for a headlight bulb for her KA and they gave her one that was the totally wrong size!

I now stay well away and try and go to the LBS or motor spares now, unless I really, really have to.

It is completely the worst chain store that I have ever used or ever experienced. I cannot say how bad everything has been, and what people still continue to tell me.

Mister Paul

Some of their bikes are a complete pile of junk, some are fantastic value and very good. The Carrera Subway, for example, is an excellent buy.

If you find one with a good bike mech then you've struck gold. Unfortunately there don't seem to be many.

They're generally not good at setting up bikes.

They have been known to give 'interesting' advice. I heard one mechanic telling a potential buyer that their cheap bikes only last a year, as their annual service costs more than the bike is worth.

They're pretty expensive, taking advantage of their High Street position and useful opening hours.

It's always worth popping in when you pass to see what is in the bargain bin.

formerlyknownasbonj

Obviously there are some good knowledgeable people working in halfords, I know of one in the store I usually go to, and another one who I think is fairly knowledgeable but is a bit of an arse, I suspect because he gets stressed with all the numpties asking him "how do I do this?"/"where does that go?" all the time.
The unfortunate fact of them being a chain store though, is that they have to employ LOTS of people, so a good proportion of them are bound to be numpties.
They are sometimes alright for products, although while no worse they are no better stocked than a much smaller LBS, I would expect them to be better stocked being a massive company with buying power and all that. It has to be said if they weren't open till 8pm or there was another LBS open till 8pm then I probably would never go there. Saying that I have had some reasonable gloves from there, my fingerless roadie 'bikehut' gloves are only just starting to come apart after wearing them literally every day for a year, and I've just got some full-finger gloves from there which were £15 and seem nice enough. I think to be honest all the 'bikehut' products are actually fairly good quality, if basic - but they are probably no better than decathlon's 'rockrider' range, which are extremely good value.

The one near me has got spirit levels for a quid in the bargain basement bin. I keep thinking I should get one as that is really good value but I don't actually want a spirit level... might get one anyway.

I am actually going to have to test their customer service today because i bought a lizard skin from there and am going to have to take it back and change it because it is the wrong size, I have undone the stapled packaging but it is not used...

Thorpey_on_a_bike

A mate of mine used to work in our local Halfords back in the day, back in the day when they stocked half decent parts and had a good few knowledgable staff, and all the tools required for all the jobs they might need to do. They could properly bleed brakes, setup gears, setup an entire bike, old or new, to work the way it should within reason.

Nowadays, whilst the people that work there are very friendly and do their best to help you out, they haven't got a clue about actually putting a bike together properly, nor in some cases, safely.

My dad recently bought a bike from there, against my original suggestions of buying from one of the LBS (not fantastic LBS'). He had a load of vouchers through a scheme at work or something that gave him about £100 off a bike. He went in, a few times, to have a quick go on a few bikes, get a feel for them, go away and have a think about which he wanted. In the end he went back and got the one he wanted. One of the staff had to drive to a halfords in a nearby town in order to pickup the model and and size my dad wanted, and bring it back and they got it built and 'serviced' ready to ride that same day. I was personally very impressed with this, rather than fobbing dad off with "sorry, can't get a delivery for another week" etc. etc.

However, dad brought it home, and I immediately had to have a quick play. First thing instantly noticed is the front brake is rubbing (hydraulic disc, cheap one but must say, its not bad). Noticed that the rotor was right the way over to one side, so I thought I'd loosen the wheel off, put it back in, see if this made a difference. For one, it made a total difference, no rubbing at all, but what astounded me was the QR lever practically fell open!

Since then there has been a number of issues with gears not being setup properly, and its been back a few times, its still not right.

I'd say, unless you know the people that work there know what they are talking about and know what they are doing, avoid them if at all possible. I know some very competant staff work in some of the stores, but I've certainly heard of more incompetantly staffed stores than competant ones.

dirtbiker100

You made a typo in your title - its halfrauds...
admittedly i do go there but only to buy bits n bobs which i do not really care too much about or need in an emergency.

red eye

there service is CRAP, i got them to mix up some paint for my car instead of mixing a light metallic green i got a dark met green and then they argue that thats the right colour and my car has faded. he got told when i showed the colour out of there spray cans.

one of my mates was told that 225/45/16 on display would fit on his escort, i asked the dude what about the ET he said it dont matter.
i know for a fact that 225 wont fit

and to think i applied for a job there and was not successful

vdubber67

I'm sympathethic to everyone's problems, but surely criticising Hallfords is like shooting fish in a barrel? Having said this, I've always found them to be rubbish, both for bikes and car bits. Having said that, I drive a 1972 van - bound to confuse em!

stu8975

hednesfordxcer wrote:

I'm currently in a dispute with Halfords about my bike, basicallty I want a refund or replacement bike. At moment they want to service bike, and issue me with loan bike (lower spec). A relative of mine seemed surprised when I said Halfords don't have the best reputation with MTBers, but I may be wrong, hence this thread. So what's your experiences with Halfords, good or bad, who knows, might make a difference, cheers

Hi, you havent mentioned what the problem is with the bike? if its a minor repairable issue then you wont have a chance of getting a new bike, seeing as your bike is at least 5 1/2 years old (according to the attached pic), most parts are only covered by 1 year warranty, your frame maybe covered for longer, but if its a frame issue thats still in warranty then they only have to replace the frame.

extremetothemax

Yesterday I handed in a job application form for halfords for a part time mechanic. I've heard many many horror stories about halfords. As has already been said, i guess it just depends on the staff at that branch. If I get the job there I can assure you that I would not be stupid enough to make these outrageous and potentially dangerous errors that have been described on this post. I would only treat other peoples bikes with the respect that I would give my own, which is a hell of a lot!

Steve_F

I've had both good and bad experiences and have to agree that it's all about knowing the staff and finding out if they know their stuff.

Most problems I have had have been sorted out, not always the quickest due to not stocking all parts, but in decent time. They replaced a whole bike for me when the one I had somehow cracked at the bottom of the frame.

I have also had the loose quick release problem but I never checked this before going over a jump. Back wheel came straight off so anytime it comes out of there now that is the first thing to get checked!

middla

My brother in law brought his bike from our local Halford and from the very first time he road it the chain slipped and the gears jumped all over the place, hes going back to get it sorted so will find out how they do!

Ive used them a few time just because of convenience the staff have always been friendly and tried there hardest to help.

The best bit is with tools and car spares i have a halfords trade card so can get everything even cheeper!

MentalRaver

Am I sadistic for keeping reading the new horror stories and chuckling or is it actually quite humourous.

We need Ann Robinson to take action, or that nutter on the motorbike who takes on the dodgy dealers, 'cept he can use a Norco or something!!!!

pgm

would not let them near my bike ever the only thing there good for is sunday afternoon purcases if your lbs is shut

toasty

I bought a pair of Revelation forks recently, when cutting down the steerer I noticed my hacksaw was totally rounded so took it in (partially cut), I'd normally go to a bike shop bit it was later on in the day and they were closed. I asked if they could cut it down and they just looked at me funny. I walked across the road to the hardware shop instead and bought a new hacksaw blade, probably easier.

Monkeys, the ones in the halfords near me certainly don't have a clue.

Markmjh

I think you really need to speak to the guys in your local Halfords and make a decision from there.
When i was living in Milton Keynes there were a couple of guys in there i'd seen on trails at the weekend, and looking at their bikes and listening to them you could tell they knew what they were doing.
Hence i took my shiny new frame and all parts ful a full build and it was spot on

Now living near blackburn and the gimp i spoke to in there didn't have a bloody clue!
i was after a front mech for my patriot(which i had next to me after an argument at the front of store being told i could not take in into the store), which after looking at my bike a bit funny he stated that unfortunatly they do not stock that type of suspension front mech!!!!!!!!!

N3

Long time reader first time writer…;)

Id have to agree with people saying it’s the staff that makes the shop not the other way round, our local halfords
has no less Than 2 good mech’s working in the bike department.

They took an old Kastle bike of mine totally stripped it down for a service / upgraded on parts, the frame is still top
Notch imo & replaced gears, breaks, Shifters, head set, suspension forks, tyres, the bike came back and it rides great!,
the mech’ rung me nearly every day to give me an update, and get this, because they had a problem with the forks and
it delayed the work he didn’t charge me for labour!

Know I understand bikes where quite obviously these guys passion, and on a different day I might of spoken
To one of there clueless, but if you are confident that the guys can back up their chat then id say use
Them.!!