just suppose that you got the top job at Halfords

[Zoiders]

Halfords did this once already in about 2001 when they first tried the "Bikehut" brand.

They head hunted brand managers and technical sales staff from major distributors, employed proper bike mechanics, opened accounts with some of the more reputable brands and tried targeting the same market as LBS's. Their own brand kit was coming from Merida at the time and they offered some very good high end own brand kit, especially MTB's...

It didn't work, they ended up with lot of stock they never shifted that got moved on at a loss, it also fell through because some of the companies like Trek refused to do business with them at the last minute. Ten years on they will probably end up buying out the likes of Evans.

It's not something they can do well with the car market as their bread and butter, the two never mix well, hence them putting out feelers for a stand alone chain of bike shops.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I've bought lots of car related bits from Halfords, all of which has been fine.

Just a quick note to all. Halfords, Kwik Fit, Motorworld and their like are not always cheaper than your main dealer, and that goes for parts and servicing. Dealers are far more switched on these days, and any dealer worth their salt now understands that the stranglehold they enjoyed for many years has now been absorbed by block exemption, this means that despite investing £1000's in manufacturer training and diagnostic equipment, mainstream dealers labour rates will probably be competitive with your local fred ina shed up the road, the guy with a box of spanners and no internet connection to interrogate your cars ECU. Plus, manufacturers have realised they need to align their prices with the aftermarket, (despite offering a superior product to the consumer).

So before you rush off and buy non-genuine, inferior parts that may, or may not not fit or function properly, (and may invalidate your warranty during the cars warranty period), from ill trained kids with no franchise experience of your cars make, give your local dealer a go first - you might just be surprised. When making your consideration, factor in free courtesy cars, collect and deliver service, franchise trained master technicians, manufacturer supplied diagnostic equipment, right part first time, and any minor price differences pale into insignificance.

and yes, if it's not abvious, I do work for a dealer, and I enjoy surprising people on a daily basis with the prices I can offer.

Sorry to jump on this but I just want to try and ensure people know all their options

 

[david k]

my colleague at work come to me laughing and angry at the same time on thursday, he has a brand new , well 6 month old vauxhall, they wanted £275 for a full service. he has got it done at a respected and advanced local garage for 59!!!!! they are using vauxhall parts so it doesnt validate his warranty

back to OP - i think halfords is close to being a good bike shop, staff training, have the desk at the front not the back, even more bikes etc

 

[funnymummy]

.

So before you rush off and buy non-genuine, inferior parts that may, or may not not fit or function properly, (and may invalidate your warranty during the cars warranty period), from ill trained kids with no franchise experience of your cars make, give your local dealer a go first - you might just be surprised. .

Sorry to jump on this but I just want to try and ensure people know all their options

When I said car bits, I meant shampoo, polish, sponges, air freshners,
The only actual car parts I have ever bought from Halfords has been new wiper rubbers, interior bulbs & the stick on replacemnet bit for my wing mirrors (Sons school road is a zoo at 15.00, used to loose at least 1 a week!!!)

 

[david k]

did you buy inferior shampoos and polishes?

 

[smokeysmoo]

my colleague at work come to me laughing and angry at the same time on thursday, he has a brand new , well 6 month old vauxhall, they wanted £275 for a full service. he has got it done at a respected and advanced local garage for 59!!!!! they are using vauxhall parts so it doesnt validate his warranty

Yeah, not all dealers seem to understand the economic climate, but if he'd haggled and provided a quote for the same work for £59, then I'd be very surprised if they didn't do something to try and win his business while selling the benefits of their training, parts, courtesy cars etc.

Tell him to make sure he has a copy of the garages invoice for the genuine parts they used though just in case he does have a warranty claim, it's not enough to say they garage used vauxhall parts, in the case of an associated warranty claim he would have to prove it.

Many non-franchise garages say they are using genuine parts when they may well be using o/e equivalent parts, (so they are not actually lying), but if they are not actually genuine manufacturer parts, with an dealer invoice to support this, then you can have problems, just a point to consider

 

[smokeysmoo]

The only actual car parts I have ever bought from Halfords has been new wiper rubbers, interior bulbs & the stick on replacemnet bit for my wing mirrors.

Ah! even so, I bet your dealer would have been competitve on the bulbs, wipers and mirror glass, (if they are switched on and forward thinking)

 

[david k]

Yeah, not all dealers seem to understand the economic climate, but if he'd haggled and provided a quote for the same work for £59, then I'd be very surprised if they didn't do something to try and win his business while selling the benefits of their training, parts, courtesy cars etc.

Tell him to make sure he has a copy of the garages invoice for the genuine parts they used though just in case he does have a warranty claim, it's not enough to say they garage used vauxhall parts, in the case of an associated warranty claim he would have to prove it.

Many non-franchise garages say they are using genuine parts when they may well be using o/e equivalent parts, (so they are not actually lying), but if they are not actually genuine manufacturer parts, with an dealer invoice to support this, then you can have problems, just a point to consider

thanks

 

[abo]

Just a quick note to all. Halfords, Kwik Fit, Motorworld and their like are not always cheaper than your main dealer

Best place round here for cars parts is an owner-run local parts shop. They always know exactly what you're on about and what you need, their prices are fair and they're good guys. Like an LBS for cars I guess

 

[Falwheeler]

My job

 

[festival]

Think, just for a second, before typing. And look at the potential....

Halfords is a big bike retailer. They're on more high streets and in more shopping centres than any other bike retailer. They do repairs. They sell cycle clothing. They carry a range of branded and accessories. They sell some pretty decent bikes - and some that are not so decent.

Now - it's easy to say that you'd never go in to one, but look at it this way - if Halfords was a good shop, a great shop even, then they could do more for cycling in the UK than anybody else.

So - measured responses, please, rather than put-downs. And bear in mind that they got that big for one reason and one reason only - lots of people shop there.

Good question, shame you got 4 pages of replies with a few partially addressing the question, but most ignoring it and going off on a tangent.

I gave it a shot and hoped to continue the debate, but to no avail.

 

[david k]

i think its a great thread with some great replies, a little bit of off topic is bound to happen, a few jokey ones too never does any harm

as i said i dont think its far off a good shop

 

[funnymummy]

Ah! even so, I bet your dealer would have been competitve on the bulbs, wipers and mirror glass, (if they are switched on and forward thinking)

Wing mirror (just the glass part)
Local Renault dealer £23.16
Halfords - £7.99
On my old Renault getting the mirrors bashed in outside my sons school was a regular occurance, I only used my local dealer once

 

[BrumJim]

Evening work.

It would be great if I could drop my bike off for a service/fettle/clean/tyre change/truing, and then have it ready in the morning for my commute. In that way they would do a lot more fiddling of bikes, and might get better. The Saturday staff could work evenings instead/as well, and earn the same amount of cash, and Halfords could exploit the weak and desperate to make some profit, and do something that the LBS could not offer.

 

[BrumJim]

Always found that car batteries were much more expensive in Halfords than most other motor factors.