LOL at Halfords

2

Comments

  • MattC59
    MattC59 Posts: 5,408
    nochekmate wrote:
    Too easy to criticise, as the previous poster stated.

    Use your skills to get a job and then those people who are working at Halfords won't be contributing in taxes to people, who have your apparent skills, but are out of work and living off other people's efforts!

    I'm fed up of working a few hours a week to pay for others who choose not to - I don't know your circumstances and it may be harsh, but I've got little time for people who criticise others and yet are happy to live off the back of them.
    You're right, you don't and it is. Wind your neck in.
    Science adjusts it’s beliefs based on what’s observed.
    Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved
  • Lillywhite
    Lillywhite Posts: 742
    gary.hounsome wrote:

    There is a store just outside the lion yard with a workshop (under the car park), perhaps this wasn't there when you looked into it not sure how long its been there, plus ben haywoods isnt that far out of the 'centre' to be honest though i wouldn't want to have to go into cambridge cc to get to my lbs, it would take far to long if i had to drive, just outside is best imo as more easily accessable by car and bike.

    I think that Primo Cycles in Jesus Lane Cambridge can also be classified as 'city centre'. :wink:
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    Ah, so they're not numpties at all. They're actually pretty d**n good at what they do.

    err no.

    Carrera are good bikes, but Halfords are useless monkeys. [/code]
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • rhext
    rhext Posts: 1,639
    Father Jack wrote:
    Ah, so they're not numpties at all. They're actually pretty d**n good at what they do.

    err no.

    Carrera are good bikes, but Halfords are useless monkeys. [/code]

    See, I don't get this: you say that they're useless, but you also say 'but it's the only place I can get a bike of this quality at this price.' So their buyers, at the very least, must be better than anyone else's?
  • rake
    rake Posts: 3,204
    buying power and volume of sales. carrera are very good budget bikes.
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    If you don't get the difference between the retailers and the bikes, I'm not going to explain it to you. :roll:
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • snickwell
    snickwell Posts: 72
    Father Jack wrote:
    If you don't get the difference between the retailers and the bikes, I'm not going to explain it to you. :roll:

    You'll complain about anything... :roll:

    You got the bike you wanted and unfortunately, a Saturday shop-kid who probably doesn't have much experience in bikes couldn't help you. Get yourself down to your LBS and be happy.
  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    snickwell wrote:
    Father Jack wrote:
    If you don't get the difference between the retailers and the bikes, I'm not going to explain it to you. :roll:

    You'll complain about anything... :roll:

    You got the bike you wanted and unfortunately, a Saturday shop-kid who probably doesn't have much experience in bikes couldn't help you. Get yourself down to your LBS and be happy.

    Have you read the whole thread? :roll:
  • rhext
    rhext Posts: 1,639
    Father Jack wrote:
    If you don't get the difference between the retailers and the bikes, I'm not going to explain it to you. :roll:

    That's OK, I'd not take any notice of your explanation anyway because you don't have a clue what you're talking about.

    Retailers make money by buying stock and then selling it on for a profit. You're in Halfords because they've managed to hit your buttons in terms of offering product which you think is good value, but on which they can still turn a profit by flogging to you. Last year, they made an operating profit of about £120M.

    Their management clearly aren't numpties: they know far more about retail than you. And their staff aren't numpties either: it's just their management don't see a business return in training them in the esoterics of different bottom bracket standards.

    And here's a thought, if they're really numpties, then someone of your obvious skills and talent will have no trouble rising to the top. So why don't you take their 8 hours a week, take all the shifts and overtime they can offer you and prove yourself? Who knows, in a year's time you might be running a store, or a region.
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    So as long as you don't know what you're talking about, but earning a shed load of money that's all that matters?

    :roll:
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • nochekmate
    nochekmate Posts: 3,460
    Which brings me back nicely to my original point - if he is earning a shed load of money and you are not working but receiving benefit (never clarified) then be grateful that he is earning a shed load and contributing to your life!
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    So you're expecting to be able to buy a cheap bike and get great service as well?

    I suppose you could have spent more money on the bike at a bike shop where the staff knew what they were talking about. That might have been an idea.

    Finding info about that chainset on the internet is no mean feat. There's no mention of it on the Pro-Wheel website.
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    It was on the website. So they should ensure the people who answer there know what they're talking about.

    Do I have to spell it out?

    Or have IQ's dropped whilst I've been away?
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • nochekmate
    nochekmate Posts: 3,460
    Father Jack wrote:
    It was on the website. So they should ensure the people who answer there know what they're talking about.

    Do I have to spell it out?

    Or have IQ's dropped whilst I've been away?

    They're all out working! :lol:
  • snickwell
    snickwell Posts: 72
    Father Jack wrote:
    It was on the website. So they should ensure the people who answer there know what they're talking about.

    Do I have to spell it out?

    Or have IQ's dropped whilst I've been away?

    Simple fact is that Halfords WON'T employ specialists with intricate knowledge of BBs, they are primarily not a bike shop. Halfords always have been a shop where you might take your bike for minor maintenance, as well as selling ready made bikes for the masses.
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    Father Jack wrote:
    It was on the website. So they should ensure the people who answer there know what they're talking about.

    Do I have to spell it out?

    Or have IQ's dropped whilst I've been away?

    If you pay cheap for a good product you're going to get unpredictable deficiencies in the associated services. This is one of them. Pull yourself together for goodness' sake and accept it.
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    You don't have to have specialists knowledge. Hell even a toddler can do this

    http://www.the-parenting-magazine.com/w ... -kids5.jpg


    hmmmm Isis BB and taper chainset.....pushes hard....it will push through urrgghhhh
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • rhext
    rhext Posts: 1,639
    Father Jack wrote:
    So as long as you don't know what you're talking about, but earning a shed load of money that's all that matters?

    :roll:

    Wish I could make £120M a year without knowing what I'm talking about. All those people just walking through the door and handing them cash without them having to think about it at all. They must be a seriously lucky organisation. Or could it be that you simply don't understand their business model?

    :roll:
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    What has profit got to do with sales staff know they're talking about? They just SELL THE PRODUCT. It bears no relevance they KNOW ABOUT THE PRODUCT.

    PC World, Currys, Dixons sales staff are idiots. When I worked there was in PC section and knew what I was talking about (I build computers) I corrected other sales staff many times when talking about computers

    Talking to PC world techs was damn funny, mates laptop...no clue.

    I would not work at a place I have no knowledge in the product at all.

    It's more than just the money, I know you just see 120M with £ in your eyes. Typical western way of thought, money = knowledge. Nope.
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • rhext
    rhext Posts: 1,639
    Father Jack wrote:
    What has profit got to do with sales staff know they're talking about? They just SELL THE PRODUCT. It bears no relevance they KNOW ABOUT THE PRODUCT.

    PC World, Currys, Dixons sales staff are idiots. When I worked there was in PC section and knew what I was talking about (I build computers) I corrected other sales staff many times when talking about computers

    Talking to PC world techs was damn funny, mates laptop...no clue.

    I would not work at a place I have no knowledge in the product at all.

    It's more than just the money, I know you just see 120M with £ in your eyes. Typical western way of thought, money = knowledge. Nope.

    Easy to say '....more than just the money' when someone else is paying for your keep.

    These guys aren't idiots, they're just trained to a level appropriate to the business in which they work. You sit their on your sofa looking down your nose at them, but at the end of the day, they're out there working, contributing to society, putting a roof over their heads and food on the table. Apart from going in there and sneering at them, what are you contributing?
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    I do not care what you think of me lol. If Halfords offered me full time contract would take it but 8 hours? Pointless. Had 8 hour contract before.
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • MattC59
    MattC59 Posts: 5,408
    snickwell wrote:
    Simple fact is that Halfords WON'T employ specialists with intricate knowledge of BBs, they are primarily not a bike shop.
    But they offer a bike maintenance service, so should have a knowledge of the workings of a bike. Let's be honest, BBs aren't complex and you don't really need any specialist knowledge if you're a bike mechanic, as they advertise !!!

    You also mention that they're primarily not a bike shop. True, they're a motorist's shop. Selling all manor of motoring goods etc.
    I went into the Newbury Halfords this morning and after searching for a hose cutter, asked for assistance.

    "Let me get the guy knows about this stuff" was the answer. The guy who "looks after this stuff" had to ask me what a hose cutter is for ?!?!?! He stared blankly at the tools for a while before telling me that they didn't stock them. Fortunately, whilst looking for a fuel hose clamp, I found a hose cutter, which was labled 'Hose Cutter'.

    I think that says a lot about Halfords staff, not all of them, admittedly, but a lot of them !!
    Science adjusts it’s beliefs based on what’s observed.
    Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    But they offer a bike maintenance service,

    And many times they state "ask our qualified bike technicans" on the website...also they stock quite a few parts that need considerable amount of knowledge..

    "What's a wheel?" Would be one reply... :wink:
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • Pseudonym
    Pseudonym Posts: 1,032
    Father Jack wrote:
    PC World, Currys, Dixons sales staff are idiots. When I worked there was in PC section and knew what I was talking about (I build computers) I corrected other sales staff many times when talking about computers

    so everyone else there was an idiot - apart from you..?
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    When it came to selling computers, yes. How can you be a good salesman if you haven't got the foggiest what you're advising the customer?

    Question : Like a PC for internet, Word, priting
    You : This £1500 quad core with SLI graphics is what you need

    or

    Question : I want a gaming PC
    You : This Celeron with onboard graphics is what you need.
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • P_Tucker
    P_Tucker Posts: 1,878
    Father Jack wrote:
    So as long as you don't know what you're talking about, but earning a shed load of money that's all that matters?

    :roll:

    Welcome to capitalism. Most of the world works this way.
  • rhext
    rhext Posts: 1,639
    Everyone knows that in these shops the measure of 'good salesman' is 'someone who can shift the most kit'. By that measure, it's easy to be a good salesman without knowing much about what you're selling. It might not be very good customer service, but their value proposition is 'latest kit at best prices', and it's one that a lot of customers find very attractive.
  • Pseudonym
    Pseudonym Posts: 1,032
    Father Jack wrote:
    When it came to selling computers, yes. How can you be a good salesman if you haven't got the foggiest what you're advising the customer?

    so why aren't you still there, running the department, or managing the branch...?
  • rhext
    rhext Posts: 1,639
    Pseudonym wrote:
    Father Jack wrote:
    When it came to selling computers, yes. How can you be a good salesman if you haven't got the foggiest what you're advising the customer?

    so why aren't you still there, running the department...?

    Spent too much time debating the relative merits of intel vs celeron as opposed to pointing out how nice the box looks and didn't make enough sales would be my guess.........
  • buder
    buder Posts: 154
    DaveHudson wrote:
    I've often thought about the freelance option, Small van (VW Caddy sized) and work at the customers place, Or larger van like a sprinter that you can make a mobile workshop.

    Contact the local towns churches and ask to use their hall if they have one for a donation, do a weekly clinic where people can bring the bikes to you. Fix those that you can on site and others do in the time between visits.

    Could also canvas schools and offer a fixed price mini service for kids bikes ready for the cycling proficiency course.

    Plenty of options, and it's handy if you go on a riding weekend away :)

    Please do consider it - I would love to use a service like this and know many others that would also.

    Consider Epping Lanes on the weekend mobile mechanic at some BC races/TT's and hill climbs. Also where I work we have 200 bikes a day in the secure carpark. Ive been trying to organise a mobile mechanic to visit once every 2 weeks etc but cant find anyone. The amount of times ive been asked to look at this and that in my lunch break and im no expert.

    Im also sick of transporting my race bike to the LBS everytime I want something done much rather them come to me, that would be fantastic !!.

    My LBS are fantastic but they are so busy they dont need the work and haven't the staff to offer a service like this I asked many times.

Categories