what do we think of Halfords
- Thread starter Alison
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I worked in the cycle department of Halfords for a short time. I was given no training what so ever, but was expected to build and maintain customers bikes.
The biggest problem in mind is the influx of younger part time staff over the busy periods, summer holidays and Chrimbo. They not only have no training , but have little or no Interest in the subject of bicycles at all. The fact these people PDI bikes that young children may ride in heavy traffic makes me wince!
Although the system that allows a British standards mark on a box of bike bits, that can then be sold that way to anyone to 'build' in their front room, makes me really annoyed. A quick story before you all nod off!... A saturday boy I was working with that would ask me questions like ''what is a bottom bracket'' (not a joke) built a bike for a bloke and as I watched him ride out of the car park, he turned the bars to the left and the wheel stayed straight Infront of a van. I went on my lunch brake and left my tit of a manager get the flack from said gentleman.
al.
The biggest problem in mind is the influx of younger part time staff over the busy periods, summer holidays and Chrimbo. They not only have no training , but have little or no Interest in the subject of bicycles at all. The fact these people PDI bikes that young children may ride in heavy traffic makes me wince!
Although the system that allows a British standards mark on a box of bike bits, that can then be sold that way to anyone to 'build' in their front room, makes me really annoyed. A quick story before you all nod off!... A saturday boy I was working with that would ask me questions like ''what is a bottom bracket'' (not a joke) built a bike for a bloke and as I watched him ride out of the car park, he turned the bars to the left and the wheel stayed straight Infront of a van. I went on my lunch brake and left my tit of a manager get the flack from said gentleman.
al.
stevec1975
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I worked in Halfords back in the day 92-95 and summer/christmas during Uni, it does really depend on who is at that particular store, at my place, both myself and my manager knew more than most of the LBS put together, you either knew it by being into cycling or its a saturday job and you don't, we were obviously limited by the stock and repair facilities back then too.
As said, asking some simple bike related questions of the staff, should be enough to get you heading for the exit or not.
As said, asking some simple bike related questions of the staff, should be enough to get you heading for the exit or not.
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They excel in having lots of little components/spares on the display, but never the one you require in stock.
I've been to Halfords many times on the 'last minute dash for that essential item required to get you out on the ride you were planning'
I've never been on that ride.
Plus, the manager of BikeHut at my local store seriously stinks. His BO is almost beyond words.
Halfords - Good for headlight bulbs. Probably.
I've been to Halfords many times on the 'last minute dash for that essential item required to get you out on the ride you were planning'
I've never been on that ride.
Plus, the manager of BikeHut at my local store seriously stinks. His BO is almost beyond words.
Halfords - Good for headlight bulbs. Probably.
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stevec1975":38rhrafy said:
Wise words.
Rusty Scrubber
Retro Guru
I have no true high opinion of Halfords - in truth I have realistic expectations.
Here's the thing, though - the type of bike shop that recently disappointed me? An LBS - I'd gone, had a little job done because up to then I didn't have the tools, and also to pick up the odd bit and bob. And on the plus side, they sold Velox cloth rim tape for a good price, on the minus side, they made me feel like I was from outer space, asking for a handlebar shim (to step down from oversize clamp, to "normal" MTB bar diameter of 25.4). Shims for stems - not a problem, but shims for handlebars - "That'll have to be some kind of custom job..." - which was said by a spanner of reasonably advanced years (as well as the young-ish, albeit reasonably knowledgeable guy running the place) who've I've known of for decades, as he used to have his own shop, is well known as a local club cyclist, as well as for wheelbuilding.
Now it's only a trivial thing - I'm not trying make out otherwise, or that it's robbed me of any faith in LBSs - and I know I can go online and find a handlebar shim within a few clicks - but all the same - "custom job"? Is that speak just for "We haven't got anything like that in stock..." or "I've never heard of one of them...".
This is an LBS that's a reasonable size, I've bought bikes from them before (son's first bike, a Ridgeback MX 14), is reasonably well stocked, and isn't part of a big chain. Surely they can't be oblivious to the sizes of MTB handlebars available, nor the clamp sizes for stems - if they sold shims for stems clamping on to steerers, is a shim for a handlebar and clamp so alien?
Now I'd go into Halford expecting that sort of talk. But if I can't find that extra bit of insight or not unreasonable knowledge from an LBS, then all I'm left with is greater product choice than somewhere like Halfords - which in fairness, is still a notable plus.
Here's the thing, though - the type of bike shop that recently disappointed me? An LBS - I'd gone, had a little job done because up to then I didn't have the tools, and also to pick up the odd bit and bob. And on the plus side, they sold Velox cloth rim tape for a good price, on the minus side, they made me feel like I was from outer space, asking for a handlebar shim (to step down from oversize clamp, to "normal" MTB bar diameter of 25.4). Shims for stems - not a problem, but shims for handlebars - "That'll have to be some kind of custom job..." - which was said by a spanner of reasonably advanced years (as well as the young-ish, albeit reasonably knowledgeable guy running the place) who've I've known of for decades, as he used to have his own shop, is well known as a local club cyclist, as well as for wheelbuilding.
Now it's only a trivial thing - I'm not trying make out otherwise, or that it's robbed me of any faith in LBSs - and I know I can go online and find a handlebar shim within a few clicks - but all the same - "custom job"? Is that speak just for "We haven't got anything like that in stock..." or "I've never heard of one of them...".
This is an LBS that's a reasonable size, I've bought bikes from them before (son's first bike, a Ridgeback MX 14), is reasonably well stocked, and isn't part of a big chain. Surely they can't be oblivious to the sizes of MTB handlebars available, nor the clamp sizes for stems - if they sold shims for stems clamping on to steerers, is a shim for a handlebar and clamp so alien?
Now I'd go into Halford expecting that sort of talk. But if I can't find that extra bit of insight or not unreasonable knowledge from an LBS, then all I'm left with is greater product choice than somewhere like Halfords - which in fairness, is still a notable plus.
I understand that job is probably a means to an end for many people but I can't work like that. I am so embarrassed when I don't know the answer or cant give good advice, regardless of formal training with stuff like this, which less face it is pretty bloody simple, I'd take it on myself to make sure Iknow everything there is to know. Facts not bullsh!t.
Yea Halfords suck, guy in ours has been there since I was a kid. Condescending back then and no different now, his ability has improved 0 in 15 years. The staff should be ashamed.
Happens with the Halfords car parts bit too, they went through a phase of fitting exhausts and stuff....a friend bought one and they had to fit it four times before saying they couldn't stop it knocking and blamed the car. We went elsewhere and it was fixed first time
Yea Halfords suck, guy in ours has been there since I was a kid. Condescending back then and no different now, his ability has improved 0 in 15 years. The staff should be ashamed.
Happens with the Halfords car parts bit too, they went through a phase of fitting exhausts and stuff....a friend bought one and they had to fit it four times before saying they couldn't stop it knocking and blamed the car. We went elsewhere and it was fixed first time
sylus
Old School Grand Master
My old local Halfords first experience was crap and dangerous..but it turns out that this one chap was sacked shortly after.
I used to buy their cheap maintenance plans so I did go back to the same store and was lucky because the next chap had a retro passion and clearly knew his stuff...so my experience wasn't good at first but came round brilliantly.
This is the same in most walks of life though for any company that relies on loads of part time staff rather than long term full time staff
I wouldn't say all of halfords experiences are bad, not at all. I would say that they have more chances to get it wrong than right and they do so with gusto.
I used to buy their cheap maintenance plans so I did go back to the same store and was lucky because the next chap had a retro passion and clearly knew his stuff...so my experience wasn't good at first but came round brilliantly.
This is the same in most walks of life though for any company that relies on loads of part time staff rather than long term full time staff
I wouldn't say all of halfords experiences are bad, not at all. I would say that they have more chances to get it wrong than right and they do so with gusto.
