Halfords Buyer Beware (1 Viewer)

[cakey]

Some months ago I had 4 new Continental Vanco tyres fitted at Halfords High St branch in Lincoln. I have experienced some balancing issues, so I booked an appointment to take the van back and have the wheels checked. I also said that I would pay for the service.
On arrival at the depot I was asked " how heavy is the van"?. In its current state winterised and empty, I said about 3 tonnes.
Its a Swift Bolero.
Sorry we can't do the job, our jacks are only rated to lift 2 tonnes. I said but you aren't lifting the whole van, just each corner in turn. Sorry health and safety, can't do it.
I then said how come the weight and health and safety weren't an issue when you fitted the £400 + tyres in the first place. (This bit will make you laugh) are well the mechanic who did the job has now left and taken his 3 tonne jack with him.
In addition Halfords customer services have been even less helpful.

 

[GJH]

Halfords Group

Link Removed​

Ms Jill McDonald Chief Executive

Email jill.mcdonald@halfords.co.uk

 

[icantremember]

Have it checked out at a proper tyre specialist and send the bill to Halfrauds!

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[canopus]

Why do they need to lift the van to balance the wheels?

 

[cakey]

They need to jack up each corner of the van in turn to remove the wheel and then balance it on their balancing machine. Although the van doesn't come with a spare wheel non the less a jack is supplied. Only slightly more beefier than a standard car jack

 

[Geo]

Why do they need to lift the van to balance the wheels?

If you take wheels off without lifting it make re fitting dificult

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[cakey]

Have it checked out at a proper tyre specialist and send the bill to Halfrauds!

It is booked in tomorrow at a local tyre company. Wish I had gone there in the first place. A round trip of 10 miles instead of the 60 miles to Lincoln and back

 

[Minxy]

It is booked in tomorrow at a local tyre company. Wish I had gone there in the first place. A round trip of 10 miles instead of the 60 miles to Lincoln and back

So when you've got the wheels sorted out make sure they write on the invoice that it was to correct improperly balance wheels then sling it at the CEO and demand you are refunded for the cost off putting it right plus your extra travel costs to Lincoln!!!

 

[rosalan]

The only restrictions for motorhomes at most garages is the weight limit of their drive on hoists. Many places have a 3 ton limit where their equipment is rated at 3 tons, but normal trolley jacks at a commercial tyre fitting facility, this is laughable. Perhaps they are using Hellfords own DIY jacks. Even these could almost cope if you bought them elsewhere.

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[Gizmouk]

But all they have to do is stick a trolly jack under each corner in turn - the 3t total weight won't come into it.
Start a shit storm on their Facebook page - businesses hate it, as thousands of folk get a ring side seat to their cock up

 

[canopus]

If you take wheels off without lifting it make re fitting dificult

Surely they could take one wheel off at a time with a trolley jack balance it and then put it back on the vehicle.

Took mine in to place in Lincoln and had 6 tyres fitted and balanced. Used the E&P levelling to get the wheels off. Chassis is 5.9 ton

 

[teensvan99]

Go to a go faster sticky tape outfit get boy blunder as a tyre fitter

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[John745]

I then said how come the weight and health and safety weren't an issue when you fitted the £400 + tyres in the first place. (This bit will make you laugh) are well the mechanic who did the job has now left and taken his 3 tonne jack with him.
If this is true (which I doubt, excuses), Halfords insurance company might not like the're way of working, as my understanding is all commercial lifting equipment has to tested/certified at regular intervals and paperwork issued.

Did Halfords check the mechanics equipment for this before using it, if not they probably would not be insured for any damage, injury/death from this equipment failure.
Poor business management if the case.

 

[Geo]

All lifting equipment in any properly run garage is coded for identity and subject to an annual engineers inspection and written report
An individual mechanic would not be permitted to use any of his own lifting gear for the reasons quoted above

 

[friar tuck]

I then said how come the weight and health and safety weren't an issue when you fitted the £400 + tyres in the first place. (This bit will make you laugh) are well the mechanic who did the job has now left and taken his 3 tonne jack with him.
In addition Halfords customer services have been even less helpful.

the new mechanic should have popped into the nearest halfrauds they sell trolley jacks.

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[cakey]

Because I was trying (that's what my mum you to say) to keep my initial post short what I did'nt mention was that the guy who told me the mechanic who originally did the job had left and taken his jack with him was actually the guy who did the job. You just couldn't make this story up!!!!

 

[Silver-Fox]

Should have given the fitter you're jack and said there you go crack on

 

[Allanm]

They could have used one of these.....
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-to...lfords-3-tonne-quick-lift-garage-trolley-jack

It even comes with instructions

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[GAVLAD]

I wouldn't give Halfords the steam off my p!
I took my wife's car there for a suspected slow puncture.
Two guys/staff in the reception, one hastily retreated to behind the scenes and the other picked the phone up and started dialling so I waited and waited. Then when phone guy finished his conversation and hung up, he minced about shuffling papers and then took an incoming call - whilst I was stood at counter in front of him.
So I left and went to kwikfit where I got a really good customer service and a new tyre.
Id email that Jill McDonald and tell her to bring in her brother Ronald's customer service ethics!

 

[Geo]

I wouldn't give Halfords the steam off my p!
I took my wife's car there for a suspected slow puncture.
Two guys/staff in the reception, one hastily retreated to behind the scenes and the other picked the phone up and started dialling so I waited and waited. Then when phone guy finished his conversation and hung up, he minced about shuffling papers and then took an incoming call - whilst I was stood at counter in front of him.
So I left and went to kwikfit where I got a really good customer service and a new tyre.
Id email that Jill McDonald and tell her to bring in her brother Ronald's customer service ethics!

Why not!! they have got half his staff

 

[sdc77]

Another good reason to leave your dash cam on when dropping it off for a service

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[Wildbill]

It is booked in tomorrow at a local tyre company. Wish I had gone there in the first place. A round trip of 10 miles instead of the 60 miles to Lincoln and back

Saved a tender on the tyres and spent £30 on diesel
Good old funster logick

 

[mitzimad]

They could have used one of these.....
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-to...lfords-3-tonne-quick-lift-garage-trolley-jack

It even comes with instructions

probably didnt have any one who could read the instructions