just suppose that you got the top job at Halfords

[Hip Priest]

does your lbs sell second hand bikes?

They did last time I checked. It's in a student area, so they sell quite a few to impoverished students.

 

[funnymummy]

One good thing, they are open until 8pm and they open on Sunday and Bank Holidays whilst the "proper" LBS owners are kipping in their beds.

They don't kip...they're out on their bikes!

 

[david k]

my lbs is shut on a sunday, if i was the owner id make sure it was open. maybe shut one day in the week

 

[abo]

The LBS' round here seem to shut on a Monday, to make up for being open on a Saturday I guess. Except Skinnergate who open 7 days a week

 

[david k]

i think its daft to open 9-5 weekdays when most people work those times. surely theyd do more business weekends?

 

[4F]

i think its daft to open 9-5 weekdays when most people work those times. surely theyd do more business weekends?

My LBS opens 8 - 5:30 Tue to Sat

When I had a headset problem on the way to work I made it too him and he loaned me a bike that I could use for the day whilst he repaired mine and waited for me until 6:00 for me to return to pick up on the way home.
I have dropped wheels off with him in the morning for him to replace a spoke (£ 4.00) and he has had these done by lunchtime for me to collect.

You won't get that service at Halfrauds and is the reason I buy the majority of stuff from him rather than a car shop playing at selling bikes.

 

[david k]

My LBS opens 8 - 5:30 Tue to Sat

When I had a headset problem on the way to work I made it too him and he loaned me a bike that I could use for the day whilst he repaired mine and waited for me until 6:00 for me to return to pick up on the way home.
I have dropped wheels off with him in the morning for him to replace a spoke (£ 4.00) and he has had these done by lunchtime for me to collect.

You won't get that service at Halfrauds and is the reason I buy the majority of stuff from him rather than a car shop playing at selling bikes.

my post wasnt supporting halfords, although ive had no issue with them. my lbs is great but shuts sunday and 5pm every night?? why???

 

[4F]

my post wasnt supporting halfords, although ive had no issue with them. my lbs is great but shuts sunday and 5pm every night?? why???

Your LBS is probably like mine and pretty much a one man band with help on Saturdays. I look at it that I have 2 days off a week from my job and fully respect mines right to as well.

Yes at times on a Sunday I have thought it would be great if he were to be open, but I can either then use another LBS who are open 7 days a week although all his prices are more expensive which probably allows for him to be open the extra 2 days, or wait until Tuesday.

 

[JonnyBlade]

My car

 

[snorri]

I would change the showroom around a little, by putting the bicycle stuff at street level and the car stuff upstairs.

At present my nearest branch takes advantage of the fitness of the average cyclist by making them climb stairs to view the goods whilst the lardy motorists are spared the effort of a stair climb.

 

[asterix]

..but Halfords is a perfectly good shop already. The main stream shopper gets what he/she wants and expects from them IME.

In York we have a number of bike shops including Cycle Heaven, York Cycleworks and not far away, Spa Cycles. Tucked away in the back streets you will find a surprising number more.

It isn't Halfords that is the problem, it is the perception of cycling in the public's mind: get more people cycling - not just the lycra-clad - and you'll get a good range of bike shops in more places. Halfords would have to be on their toes more, too; recently they closed down their in town shop in and kept the out of town one. So that's probably the only aspect I would investigate given my current knowledge of them.

 

[david k]

Your LBS is probably like mine and pretty much a one man band with help on Saturdays. I look at it that I have 2 days off a week from my job and fully respect mines right to as well.

Yes at times on a Sunday I have thought it would be great if he were to be open, but I can either then use another LBS who are open 7 days a week although all his prices are more expensive which probably allows for him to be open the extra 2 days, or wait until Tuesday.

they have at least 2 very experienced guys in at any one time. they have the right to open and shut when ever they like. i think its poor on their behalf not mine, i can like it or lump it. thought they would be better off with different opening times, i think its obvious most consumers would be

 

[dellzeqq]

for those of you who have been to Decathlon - either here or in France - how do you think they compare in terms of range, price and service?

 

[festival]

Employ more staff and find the time to train them properly. They wouldn't all need to be "cyclists" as there are more than enough tasks during a working day that need to be dealt with, this would free up the "enthusiast staff" who can concentrate on what they do best.

I assume they sell enough of the crap bikes and get them in at such a low price they can afford to right off,replace etc many of them and still make a profit, but at least make them simpler with less so called features that are unnecessary, and brakes that work and wheels that are round etc. Back it up with some marketing to educate the customer, eg explaining the benefits of not buying a dual sus atb for less than £500, and why buying a £99 bike to commute 10 miles a day isn't really going to last very long etc this would do wonders for staff morale if nothing else.

Instigate a proper in house mechanic training scheme that is worthwhile. Employ more dedicated,qualified mechanics to ensure quality of work.

Manage out of the business the deadwood and recruit & retain the better staff by relaxing the oppressive rota they have to work and reward with a decent staff discount. (most lbs offer trade +vat, not 15% off retail)

Encourage a can do approach to everything especially customer service, but make it happen by employing the right staff in bike hut and give individuals meaningful areas of responsibility and don't expect them to help out elsewhere fitting car batteries or sitting on the till downstairs etc

That would be a start.

 

[cyberknight]

for those of you who have been to Decathlon - either here or in France - how do you think they compare in terms of range, price and service?

Decathlon are a lot better in every way.

The staff know what they are doing .

They stock more than just medium sized bikes, i have had a Halfords employee tell me that they only stock mediums as standard and have told me to drive 20 miles or so to find a bike that will fit me.

The spares department stock a wide range of parts for pretty much everything you need.

The clothing department is well stocked and it has a changing room to try stuff on .

All in all i find Decathlon cheaper, they actually stock everything , the staff know what they are doing and you can test ride a bike .

I would rather drive 40 miles out of my way if i know that i am going to get what i want rather than hope they might have it in even if i ordered it.


My Local Halfords is ok, the staff do seem to know what they are doing but work within the constraints set by the company , i only use them as a last resort but my next bike will be from them as my employer uses Halfords C2W.
C2W , you can pretty much get any brand of bike through them , i doubt Decathlon would let you order a Ribble ...