Is Halfords just bikes and sat nav's these days? (1 Viewer)

[slobadoberbob]

Whatever happened to the Halfords as we knew it, where you could pop down and get an item for the car or the camper? I wanted a simple scissor jack to put under the tow bar on my yank.. helps steady it when parked on sites as we have a long overhang with the bathroom and it is a little hard aiming at the hole when the van wobbles if you follow me.

Up to now I have been using an 4 ton bottle jack, but that has a small contact area at the top and even when depressed is still a fairly tall item. So I thought I know get a scissor jack and use that.. smaller when lowered and can be made to reach the Reece tow hitch with no problem and best of all has a larger contact plate or saddle as it is called.

So I go on line to Halfords? bike, bikes and bikes and sat nav's yes they have a couple of bottle jacks and a trolly jack but no scissor jacks. In the end I got it from the local Screwfix.. it is amazing what Screwfix carries these days and in Tunbridge Wells we have one less than a mile away and so far they have had everything in stock that I have gone to buy from them, including my Stanley Bostick air compressor... Halford have a brand new depot in Tunbridge Wells (the old one was a bit small)... visited last week for a bike for my grandaughter.. was a waste of time.. in the end got the ideal item from Toys R Us also just down the road.. bike was £20 cheaper and the staberlisers £5 cheaper than Halfords.. but these days I seem to have to hunt else where for anything related to a car.

Bob

 

[scotjimland]

Well Bob

since bikes and sat navs don't need jacks and boy racers would have no idea how to use one why stock it ?

As for bikes.. what a joke, if you want to buy a bike go to a bike shop.. buying one at Halfords is like buying a fish supper at McDonalds oh:

 

[DESCO]

Hi Bob

Totally agree , but think it's the same with many of the big shops they are only after the big buck and forget that money can be made from small items.

I think it's a case of them being controlled totally by accountants who have no idea on selling and are totally blind to anything but figures, and big figures at that.


Dave :thumb::thumb:

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[Geo]

You wouldnt need a jack Bob if you put a stop to whoevers following you to the toiletoh:

 

[American Dream]

I've found that too Bob...

The number of items for vehicles has diminished greatly...

If there's a special Socket or tool I need to remove a bearing etc than they might just have it at a price...

Must admit that they can supply reasonable quality tools and a few other bits...

Far too many employees kicking their heels whenever I go in there...

Their running costs must be quite high.

 

[Road Runner]

And the assistants are so clued up

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[slobadoberbob]

We have most of the stores

I've found that too Bob...

The number of items for vehicles has diminished greatly...

If there's a special Socket or tool I need to remove a bearing etc than they might just have it at a price...

Must admit that they can supply reasonable quality tools and a few other bits...

Far too many employees kicking their heels whenever I go in there...

Their running costs must be quite high.

What makes it worse in Tunbridge Wells we have all the stores within a mile or so.. Largest B&Q ever, Currys, Comet, and PC World, Halfords, Maplins, and Screwfix Toys r us, plus hundreds of others in the area. They are just finishing an add on retail park.. M&S and a John Lewes Partnership. On the same retail park are every car dealerships you can think of. The only good thing is there are no height barriers... so it is possible to bring a camper in to the area and shop until you drop.

I do know of a couple small independent parts shops in the town, but as screw fix was so local and they open on Sundays as well they got the bread.

Bob:thumb:

 

[novawight]

Went to get a leisure batt. sorry only one in stock, which was to large anyway , they are a joke

 

[American Dream]

And the assistants are so clued up

Err NOT...

I know what you mean John.

Bet they have no knowledge of the working components of an IC Engine most of them...

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[slobadoberbob]

Order on line it is in stock until you collect it

Went to get a leisure batt. sorry only one in stock, which was to large anyway , they are a joke

There (Halfords) stock control is usless, I have ordered items on line to collect in one hour.. when you get there they say we are out of stock..At least with Argos (two of them in Tunbridge Wells) they do have the item you reserve on line.

Bob

 

[Road Runner]

Err NOT...

I know what you mean John.

Bet they have no knowledge of the working components of an IC Engine most of them...

They can even fit wiper blades you know

 

[American Dream]

They can even fit wiper blades you know

But to where?

How much do they charge for that??

I Bet they use this guide...

Link Removed

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[slobadoberbob]

what is a 20" wiper blade?

They can even fit wiper blades you know

Let them loose on an RV.. no way.

Bob:thumb:

 

[DESCO]

But to where?

/QUOTE]

I would think on the car behind, they are so clued up.


Dave :thumb::thumb:

 

[Mixter]

Halfords has also got too expensive in recent years. They sell high pressure bike pumps at about £40 a go. The same pump can be bought at a specialist bike shop for £18! Similarly. fuses, connectors etc. all way over-priced compared to caravan shops.

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[RonnieJ]

Before i retired i had a cycle shop selling and repairing bikes, the local Halfords brought their repairs to me.

 

[1_man_and_his_dob(lo)]

They're the automotive/cycling equivalent of PC World.....nuff said.

Mind you, my local Halfords is one of the bigger 'superstore' branches and was able to mix up a custom touch-up paint spray for my van, which none of the local Fiat parts shops could. Probably says more about Fiat than Halfords.