"Hellfrauds" - I see what you mean!

[milster]

Halfords don't care much about customer service or prices because a lot of people still go there

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

Originally Posted by milster

Halfords don't care much about customer service or prices because a lot of people still go there

I'll believe that..

I have written to their customer service email address twice now.

This time because of the extortionate prices. Had an automated reply.

Last time was an issue with their pro tools..
Goth the automated reply then too. Bugger all else either, and that was 6 months ago..

I won't wait up for the reply to this enquiry either!!! I don't expect it.

Des. . .

[jacksonb123]

On a positive note, I was trying to buy a particular replacement wing mirror glass from my local(Coventry) Halfords which they didn't have.

So left empty handed & was sitting in my car at the traffic lights next to Halfords when I got a bang on my car window.

It was the chap who had served me & in the time it had taken me to leave/drive out of the car park he'd phoned another local motorparts store(non Halfords) just down the road who had one in stock & sprinted across the car park/road to tell me.

I was quite impressed on that occasion.
Regards
Ben

[Letyian]

Originally Posted by jacksonb123

On a positive note, I was trying to buy a particular replacement wing mirror glass from my local(Coventry) Halfords which they didn't have.

So left empty handed & was sitting in my car at the traffic lights next to Halfords when I got a bang on my car window.

It was the chap who had served me & in the time it had taken me to leave/drive out of the car park he'd phoned another local motorparts store(non Halfords) just down the road who had one in stock & sprinted across the car park/road to tell me.

I was quite impressed on that occasion.
Regards
Ben

Find that lad, give him a medal and tell him to leave his job before stagnation sets in and he learns how to shrug and walk away when he's asked a question!

[dave r]

I had an altercation at my local "Hellfrauds" (Peterborough) a short while ago. I can't remember what I wanted, but it boiled down to the fact that the 12 year-old Spotty Herbert in the parts dept tried to tell me that my car didn't exist! I took him outside and showed him the 940s badge on the back, but he still wouldn't have it. Quote:- " Ah that's why it's not listed on our computer, it's a "special" that's what the 's' stands for".
At that point I gave up and went to Marshall Volvo.
Dave

[Alpha206]

I was mildly impressed when I was trying to find a replacement battery for the TR6 a few months back...they actually had the car listed on their system...pity the battery it recommended was about 30Ah too small!

[DSK]

About a year or so ago I needed some engine oil, Castrol 10w60 (had to be this grade for the BMW M5 engine). Previously I had bought some from Demon Tweeks over the internet. This time I had a bit of time to spare before the service interval rolled round so decided it would be interesting to see who stocks it or can get it ordered in for me .... I looked on Halfords website and to my amazement it was listed!!!

Thinking this wouldn't be a big seller, I contacted my local store (Chillwell Retail Park, Nottingham). I stated that I had seen the item listed on the website, but do they actually have it in store or could they get it ordered in? 'YES, we have it in stock' was the reply.

So I jumped in the car and drove to the store with a smile on my face. Got to the store, couldn't see it on the shelf amongst the other oils so found an assistant and asked where it was.

Assistant: 'Errr, 10w60? ...... we don't stock that'

Me: 'I saw it listed on the site, called up to check about 10 minutes ago and was told I could come an pick it up as it was in stock ...... sorry to be a pain but, just to save me a wasted journey, could you check either on the computer or go into your storeage area and double check as I was told it was in stock, on the off chance its lying around somewhere please?

Assistant: ' I know we aint gorrit! '

Me: 'could at least double check for me please?'

Assistant: 'I said we ain't gorrit, Castrol don't make a 10w60, truss' meh'

Me: 'Is there any chance, due to it being listed on the website and being told on the phone it was in stock, you would be able to order me some in then if you insist you don't have any as Castrol do in fact make a 10w60?'

Assistant: 'No, we've only got what's there, use the 10w40 or the 5w40, that'll be fine mate, we get a few customers who 'av M3's, TVR's, Skylines n Cossies' 'n' stuff 'n' they always buy the 10w40'

At this point I turrned around whilst gently shaking my head and walked out, went home and wrote a letter to Halfords customer services department about the issue, simply to raise the fact that either the website was incorrect or the store didn't correspond with the website despite the phone call to obtain confirmation of the product. I also mentioned that the assistant refused to 'double check' and confirm for me that the item wasn't in stock ... not a big request is it?

I got a response stating that the matter was being looked into. A few weeks later they sent me a £5 gift voucher ... I gave the voucher to my neighbours son so he could get himself something for his bicycle lol.

Thats my worst experience at Halfords ... just the lack of customer care and the attitude "some" of the younger staff tend to have.

[nogomotor]

i used to work in a halfords shop in the 70,s....well i was young and foolish...any way i had a boss who if he had had a bad time at home(row with the missus or something) used to take it out on the staff....called me in the office on one of his bad days with a couple of the other staff told them off for what ever reason...told me if customer asks where particular items are to tell them dont know i only stock the shelves ..refer them to a senior...got some funny looks of customers so is it any wonder there service is bad,only worked there till i had enough money to go to lake district for hols never went back,

[FixMyVolvo]

I would only go there if it was very convenient, like on the way home and I only need something simple like air freshener. Although they do have a large stock of starter motors.

[Conehead]

They have their uses. As said they open longer than most motor factors, and their tools are great.
I mostly use them for special offers, had some great ones on oil lately, and because I have a trade card.

You just need to treat them like PCWorld, go in knowing what you want or go somewhere they can advise you. Without Halfords little independant shops would go out of business!!!!!

The company that owns (used to own???) Halfords, now owns the AA.
When they bought the AA I quit within 6 months. Enough said.