Halfords... how long before it goes bump?

[JB!]

I've used their tools for 7/8 years now, got a few broken ones to exchange that should be fun...

But yeah, unless you get someone being a tit, its handy having somewhere open 7 days for that time you snap that hex socket.

[sherbert90]

The good thing about Halfords is that they are open until 8 through the week and are open on Sundays, so as an emergency, they are good. How many other motor factors are open that late, let alone weekends? I think though that their main focus now is Bikehut, aside from the cheap and nasty Apollos, they sell some decent kit, the Carerras are pretty good, and the premium brands like Voodoo and Boardmans are very well specced for their money.

I suspect that the future problems Halfords face is how new cars are developed. New cars nowadays aren't deigned to be worked on by the majority of people, in some cars it's impossible to get to certain parts without taking off a mountain of plastic covers and fiddly little clips. It's a conspiracy to get you back the main dealer . They are also just plain awkward. for exaple, on a Renault Megane, to change headlight bulbs, you have to go through the wheelarch, which can be a nightmare to do without taking the wheel off. Also, i suspect that a lot of new cars will move onto full LED lights, which will all but kill the spare bulb market.

Having said that, there will always be 'special' people who are willing to pay for wiper blade fitting .

[Sea Demon]

I went Halfords for a set of plugs on my old Alfa 155 (only needed 4, they take 8) and I just could not believe they came to £5 using the trade card! Amazing!

[Toaster Pilot]

sherbert90 said:

Having said that, there will always be 'special' people who are willing to pay for wiper blade fitting .

- a local motor factors fitted front blades to one of my cars for free once - I was on my way to a meeting dressed in a suit and it was raining, first time I'd used the car in the rain since buying it (old snotter) only to find the blades were ruined.

Nice touch, and things like that are the primary reason I'd always choose to use an independent factor, they're much more interested in your repeat business. Just like the time I went there well after closing time to see if they were still open and the guy re-opened the shop (he was doing a stock take) to sell me a battery for half the price Halfords sell them for