Do Halfords really understand about cars or customers?
Discussion
andy-xr said:
The only real source of proper car parts is eBay. The rest, and I count Halfords, Euro Car Parts and countless other factors into this, cant tell you exactly what they're going to give you. It's not the people's fault, in Halfords case they're just not given the training other than 'It's 3 for 2' and Halfords seem to have this policy of hiring one main 'fitter' and a bunch of people who like Radio 1 turned up loud, together with a few girls who do tills.
Factors tend to just work off whatever's on the computer. They seem to prefer or want to sell off the shelf stuff like oil and screenwash, maybe coolant. Ask them for something really specific, they'll mutter, tap, wince, tap, scratch their head then disappear off round the back for a bit
In my case, let's say I want a temperature sender that has an orange ring around it. It's model specific, I give them the part number, their system matches that with everything that fits the same engine, so red, purple, brown, and it's luck of the draw which one you get in the box.
If I buy from eBay, I can make sure I get the orange one, with the right thread type, that I know will fit and be a match to the ECU. Fair enough, I have to wait for it to arrive, but I've found that convenience shopping at factors ends up with me just buying the right part online later anyway
I own my own motorfactor.Factors tend to just work off whatever's on the computer. They seem to prefer or want to sell off the shelf stuff like oil and screenwash, maybe coolant. Ask them for something really specific, they'll mutter, tap, wince, tap, scratch their head then disappear off round the back for a bit
In my case, let's say I want a temperature sender that has an orange ring around it. It's model specific, I give them the part number, their system matches that with everything that fits the same engine, so red, purple, brown, and it's luck of the draw which one you get in the box.
If I buy from eBay, I can make sure I get the orange one, with the right thread type, that I know will fit and be a match to the ECU. Fair enough, I have to wait for it to arrive, but I've found that convenience shopping at factors ends up with me just buying the right part online later anyway
We just cant please everyone all the time. We always get clever dicks telling us how to do our jobs and the like or "why cant you get me Brembo for my Saxo?" Etc
I like to think we are better than halfords, quicker, more knowledgeable, experienced, know our products et etc
That still doesnt seem to be enough though.
Schermerhorn said:
andy-xr said:
The only real source of proper car parts is eBay. The rest, and I count Halfords, Euro Car Parts and countless other factors into this, cant tell you exactly what they're going to give you. It's not the people's fault, in Halfords case they're just not given the training other than 'It's 3 for 2' and Halfords seem to have this policy of hiring one main 'fitter' and a bunch of people who like Radio 1 turned up loud, together with a few girls who do tills.
Factors tend to just work off whatever's on the computer. They seem to prefer or want to sell off the shelf stuff like oil and screenwash, maybe coolant. Ask them for something really specific, they'll mutter, tap, wince, tap, scratch their head then disappear off round the back for a bit
In my case, let's say I want a temperature sender that has an orange ring around it. It's model specific, I give them the part number, their system matches that with everything that fits the same engine, so red, purple, brown, and it's luck of the draw which one you get in the box.
If I buy from eBay, I can make sure I get the orange one, with the right thread type, that I know will fit and be a match to the ECU. Fair enough, I have to wait for it to arrive, but I've found that convenience shopping at factors ends up with me just buying the right part online later anyway
I own my own motorfactor.Factors tend to just work off whatever's on the computer. They seem to prefer or want to sell off the shelf stuff like oil and screenwash, maybe coolant. Ask them for something really specific, they'll mutter, tap, wince, tap, scratch their head then disappear off round the back for a bit
In my case, let's say I want a temperature sender that has an orange ring around it. It's model specific, I give them the part number, their system matches that with everything that fits the same engine, so red, purple, brown, and it's luck of the draw which one you get in the box.
If I buy from eBay, I can make sure I get the orange one, with the right thread type, that I know will fit and be a match to the ECU. Fair enough, I have to wait for it to arrive, but I've found that convenience shopping at factors ends up with me just buying the right part online later anyway
We just cant please everyone all the time. We always get clever dicks telling us how to do our jobs and the like or "why cant you get me Brembo for my Saxo?" Etc
I like to think we are better than halfords, quicker, more knowledgeable, experienced, know our products et etc
That still doesnt seem to be enough though.
I was amazed to find out I couldn't get a fan belt off the shelf at Halfords, I'd have to hang around for an hour (or more) and wait for one to be ordered in.
Alright getting one in that quick is great... I got one from the motor factors in less than 15 minutes later (inc driving time) over the counter
Alright getting one in that quick is great... I got one from the motor factors in less than 15 minutes later (inc driving time) over the counter
Schermerhorn said:
I own my own motorfactor.
We just cant please everyone all the time. We always get clever dicks telling us how to do our jobs and the like or "why cant you get me Brembo for my Saxo?" Etc
I like to think we are better than halfords, quicker, more knowledgeable, experienced, know our products et etc
That still doesnt seem to be enough though.
I guess catering for every minute detail just isnt ever going to happen. We just cant please everyone all the time. We always get clever dicks telling us how to do our jobs and the like or "why cant you get me Brembo for my Saxo?" Etc
I like to think we are better than halfords, quicker, more knowledgeable, experienced, know our products et etc
That still doesnt seem to be enough though.
Do you have a mail order service that I can try then? I'd be happy to give it a whirl and see if I can get the parts I want from a fellow PH'er
The chap on the desk at my local ECP wins the award for the most incensere "thank you for your custom please call again" I've ever experienced, ever.
So bad it's actually worth mentioning on the internet at such an ungodly hour.
It was said with such pathos & desolation, it was as if each customers goal in life was to make a request so stupid, so pathetic & beneath his incredible intellect that just one more would see him fling himself off the nearest tall building, rather than find a part without the owner knowing the chassis number and the specific stock serial number of the part in question.
It wasn't just me either, everyone ahead if me in the queue got the same treatment, I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or chuck him off a tall building myself.
So bad it's actually worth mentioning on the internet at such an ungodly hour.
It was said with such pathos & desolation, it was as if each customers goal in life was to make a request so stupid, so pathetic & beneath his incredible intellect that just one more would see him fling himself off the nearest tall building, rather than find a part without the owner knowing the chassis number and the specific stock serial number of the part in question.
It wasn't just me either, everyone ahead if me in the queue got the same treatment, I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or chuck him off a tall building myself.
Hooli said:
How does everyone manage to get a trade card? I've failed so far & there is a lack of decent alternatives around here. Euro car parts are even worse for getting the right parts, the local independent offers s
te service etc.
If you want a trade card I can sort it mate, or if you want anything from Euro, message me te service etc.
doogz said:
555 Paul said:
Halfords adverts are always typically very bad but their latest "we fit" advert on the radio is on another level. "When changing a bulb let it cool down first" "ouch it's hot" smash!
Errr if you're changing a bulb isn't that because it's already broken and there for won't get hot? And even if that is the case why would it bother you that you've dropped and broken the old one!
My car has H4 bulbs.Errr if you're changing a bulb isn't that because it's already broken and there for won't get hot? And even if that is the case why would it bother you that you've dropped and broken the old one!
I use the dipped beam when it's dark. I use the full beam when it's dark, there are no cars around, and no street lights.
The 2 filaments are in the same bulb. So it can need changed, when it's hot.
Why would it bother you? Do you randomly scatter broken glass about your driveway? I tend not to, I walk on it, the cats walk on it, the car drives on and off it.
It's a.....
JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's got nothing to do with whether bulbs get hot or not - they're mildly poking fun at socially awkward car bores who take everything literally.
I think, maybe, they've succeeded.
As for Halfords as a shop - it's all right. Just like Homebase for cars really; does for the odd bit and piece here and there but if I wanted specialised stuff I'd go elsewhere. In fact I seldom visit Halfords as our one is on the other side of town, whereas there's an independent factor like five minutes away.
p.s. I once asked the girl on the Halfords till if they'd do the 'We Fit' service on a newly bought Magic Tree air-freshener. Apparently they don't!!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff