Halfords

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S

Stuart Adair

Guest
Let me tell you about a recent visit to Halfords in Chelteham - the people
who think they are a car part retailer ..


Me: (Puts a wheel cyliner on the desk) Have you got one of
these.

Clerk: (Looks puzzled) No we dont sell those

Me: Well I phoned up earlier and you told me that you had 2
of the 4 possible types in.

Clerk (Now looks really confused) Oh, I'll get someone.

(Gets someone else, also aged about 14 - Conversations
take place)

2nd Clerk No we dont sell those

Me Well, you told me that you did. (Its obvious he hasn't got
a clue what a wheel cylinder looks like)

(2nd clerk gets 3rd clerk)

3rd Clerk Can I help

Me Have you got one of those

3rd Clerk No problem (Accesses computer and offers me the 2
cylinders)


Halfords is a great place for selling alloy wheels and air-fresheners - But
for gods sake if your going to try to be a parts seller then get real.







 
> Halfords is a great place for selling alloy wheels and air-fresheners -
> But for gods sake if your going to try to be a parts seller then get real.

Agreed, I wandered round looking for spare lamps, went to Spare Parts Desk
showed girl the lamp 'Do you sell these' asked I 'nope' came the reply and
away she went, walked around store again, getting headache from those car
radios being tried at full blast, and voila a whole stand dedicated to the
art of replacement lamps, carefully hidden in the Ripspeed section. Then
stood in checkout queue for 10 mins whilst every 'sales' person ignored me,
even the 'nope' girl turned 180 and went away when she saw me. Only used
Halfords when I have to i.e. emergency. Don't think I will be doing much of
that in future. And had to bite lip and not say 'When you open late for
staff training, train the staff to know what you sell'
Dave


 
We went to Halfords the other day to get a thermostat for a V8 Land Rover
90. He asked me if it was a petrol, a diesel or a TD5. Then he asked me what
year it was, I said 1986 (he was probably born after this!) and he said "it
still goes then". At this point I walked out.
Richard


"Dave H" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>> Halfords is a great place for selling alloy wheels and air-fresheners -
>> But for gods sake if your going to try to be a parts seller then get
>> real.
>
> Agreed, I wandered round looking for spare lamps, went to Spare Parts Desk
> showed girl the lamp 'Do you sell these' asked I 'nope' came the reply and
> away she went, walked around store again, getting headache from those car
> radios being tried at full blast, and voila a whole stand dedicated to the
> art of replacement lamps, carefully hidden in the Ripspeed section. Then
> stood in checkout queue for 10 mins whilst every 'sales' person ignored
> me, even the 'nope' girl turned 180 and went away when she saw me. Only
> used Halfords when I have to i.e. emergency. Don't think I will be doing
> much of that in future. And had to bite lip and not say 'When you open
> late for staff training, train the staff to know what you sell'
> Dave
>


 
On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 11:42:28 +0000, Mr.Nice.
<mr.nice@*nospam*clara.co.uk> wrote:

>On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 10:10:37 -0000, "Dave H" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>> Halfords is a great place for selling alloy wheels and air-fresheners -
>>> But for gods sake if your going to try to be a parts seller then get real.
>>
>>Agreed, I wandered round looking for spare lamps, went to Spare Parts Desk
>>showed girl the lamp 'Do you sell these' asked I 'nope' came the reply and
>>away she went, walked around store again, getting headache from those car
>>radios being tried at full blast, and voila a whole stand dedicated to the
>>art of replacement lamps, carefully hidden in the Ripspeed section. Then
>>stood in checkout queue for 10 mins whilst every 'sales' person ignored me,
>>even the 'nope' girl turned 180 and went away when she saw me. Only used
>>Halfords when I have to i.e. emergency. Don't think I will be doing much of
>>that in future. And had to bite lip and not say 'When you open late for
>>staff training, train the staff to know what you sell'
>>Dave
>
>I occasioanlly use Halfords in Plymouth, sometimes I am pleasantly
>surprised. Last time I was in there I was after some drivebelts
>(fanbelts) for a peugeot, a young girl offered to help (she looked 18,
>maybe, just) and without checking the parts catalogue she pulled 2 of
>the three I needed fro the rack then went to the book to check the two
>types of 3rd belt and confirm the other 2, I was astounded, she
>genuinly seemed to know her stuff.
>

That's a bloody miracle. I only ever go into halford for something
like a tin of paint or a bicycle tyre. I gave up long ago looking for
anything more complicated. Consequently I now know every motor factor,
spare part provider, trade counter and commercial place within a
radius of 10 miles.

Alex
 
Alex wrote:

> On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 11:42:28 +0000, Mr.Nice.
> <mr.nice@*nospam*clara.co.uk> wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 10:10:37 -0000, "Dave H" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>> Halfords is a great place for selling alloy wheels and air-fresheners -
>>>> But for gods sake if your going to try to be a parts seller then get
>>>> real.
>>>
>>>Agreed, I wandered round looking for spare lamps, went to Spare Parts
>>>Desk showed girl the lamp 'Do you sell these' asked I 'nope' came the
>>>reply and away she went, walked around store again, getting headache from
>>>those car radios being tried at full blast, and voila a whole stand
>>>dedicated to the art of replacement lamps, carefully hidden in the
>>>Ripspeed section. Then stood in checkout queue for 10 mins whilst every
>>>'sales' person ignored me, even the 'nope' girl turned 180 and went away
>>>when she saw me. Only used Halfords when I have to i.e. emergency. Don't
>>>think I will be doing much of that in future. And had to bite lip and not
>>>say 'When you open late for staff training, train the staff to know what
>>>you sell' Dave
>>
>>I occasioanlly use Halfords in Plymouth, sometimes I am pleasantly
>>surprised. Last time I was in there I was after some drivebelts
>>(fanbelts) for a peugeot, a young girl offered to help (she looked 18,
>>maybe, just) and without checking the parts catalogue she pulled 2 of
>>the three I needed fro the rack then went to the book to check the two
>>types of 3rd belt and confirm the other 2, I was astounded, she
>>genuinly seemed to know her stuff.
>>
>
> That's a bloody miracle. I only ever go into halford for something
> like a tin of paint or a bicycle tyre. I gave up long ago looking for
> anything more complicated. Consequently I now know every motor factor,
> spare part provider, trade counter and commercial place within a
> radius of 10 miles.
>

Lucky you to have decent ones.

We have a Partco. They're find for standard things, but for anything
esoteric you have to order in.

We have an Allparts. They are useless for just about anythign I've tried for
various ages and types of cars (Vanden Plas 1500, RRC, TD5 Disco, 200
Disco, S3, Rover 75).

We have "Bucks Auto Components" who seem to be able to supply just about
anything if you're a small garage but their stock suddenly vanishes if
you're an individual. Never managed to get anything I was looking for from
them.

I am now at the stage of actually buying LR original parts some of the time
from the dealer in town or driving the 20 odd miles to Dingocroft who have
most things but aren't convenient - yesterdays expedition was for 6 spring
washers and 4 bolts - total cost of about £3.75 plus the same again in
fuel.

Halfords in town is beyond crap. They often fail to sell you anything even
when the item is under their nose. The exceptions to this are of course if
you're buying expensive but crap car stereo equipment (I do *not* rate
Kenwood or Sony, and they don't carry Clarion).

The one "independant" accessory shop in town who go by the name of "The
Motorist Centre" seem to be on a spiral to self destruction. Over the last
year their parts selection has gone to almost nothing - I can't even get
oil filters there most of the time, however if I want blue LED windscreen
washers or Nitrous Oxide kits then that's my place.

I'm considering doing something obnoxious to the S3 and seeing what the
local neds make of it.

P.
--
If Mind over Matter is a Matter of Course
Does it Matter if Nobody Minds?
 
In message <[email protected]>, Dave H
<[email protected]> writes
>> Halfords is a great place for selling alloy wheels and air-fresheners -
>> But for gods sake if your going to try to be a parts seller then get real.
>
>Agreed, I wandered round looking for spare lamps, went to Spare Parts Desk
>showed girl the lamp 'Do you sell these' asked I 'nope' came the reply and
>away she went, walked around store again, getting headache from those car
>radios being tried at full blast, and voila a whole stand dedicated to the
>art of replacement lamps, carefully hidden in the Ripspeed section. Then
>stood in checkout queue for 10 mins whilst every 'sales' person ignored me,
>even the 'nope' girl turned 180 and went away when she saw me. Only used
>Halfords when I have to i.e. emergency. Don't think I will be doing much of
>that in future. And had to bite lip and not say 'When you open late for
>staff training, train the staff to know what you sell'
>Dave
>
>
Try this one - "Are you trained to be rude/thick/slow or does it just
come naturally".
--
hugh
Reply to address is valid at the time of posting
 

"hugh" <hugh@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In message <[email protected]>, Dave H
> <[email protected]> writes
>>> Halfords is a great place for selling alloy wheels and air-fresheners -
>>> But for gods sake if your going to try to be a parts seller then get
>>> real.
>>
>>Agreed, I wandered round looking for spare lamps, went to Spare Parts Desk
>>showed girl the lamp 'Do you sell these' asked I 'nope' came the reply and
>>away she went, walked around store again, getting headache from those car
>>radios being tried at full blast, and voila a whole stand dedicated to the
>>art of replacement lamps, carefully hidden in the Ripspeed section. Then
>>stood in checkout queue for 10 mins whilst every 'sales' person ignored
>>me,
>>even the 'nope' girl turned 180 and went away when she saw me. Only used
>>Halfords when I have to i.e. emergency. Don't think I will be doing much
>>of
>>that in future. And had to bite lip and not say 'When you open late for
>>staff training, train the staff to know what you sell'
>>Dave
>>
>>
> Try this one - "Are you trained to be rude/thick/slow or does it just come
> naturally".
> --
> hugh
> Reply to address is valid at the time of posting

Pay peanuts get monkeys!!

Peter.


 
I should have said that I told him it was a V8, "Have you got a thermostat
for a Land Rover 90 V8"


"Richard" <richardsemail [email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> We went to Halfords the other day to get a thermostat for a V8 Land Rover
> 90. He asked me if it was a petrol, a diesel or a TD5. Then he asked me
> what year it was, I said 1986 (he was probably born after this!) and he
> said "it still goes then". At this point I walked out.
> Richard
>
>
> "Dave H" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>> Halfords is a great place for selling alloy wheels and air-fresheners -
>>> But for gods sake if your going to try to be a parts seller then get
>>> real.
>>
>> Agreed, I wandered round looking for spare lamps, went to Spare Parts
>> Desk showed girl the lamp 'Do you sell these' asked I 'nope' came the
>> reply and away she went, walked around store again, getting headache from
>> those car radios being tried at full blast, and voila a whole stand
>> dedicated to the art of replacement lamps, carefully hidden in the
>> Ripspeed section. Then stood in checkout queue for 10 mins whilst every
>> 'sales' person ignored me, even the 'nope' girl turned 180 and went away
>> when she saw me. Only used Halfords when I have to i.e. emergency. Don't
>> think I will be doing much of that in future. And had to bite lip and not
>> say 'When you open late for staff training, train the staff to know what
>> you sell'
>> Dave
>>
>
>


 

"Mr.Nice." <mr.nice@*nospam*clara.co.uk> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 11:58:13 GMT, Alex <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 11:42:28 +0000, Mr.Nice.
> ><mr.nice@*nospam*clara.co.uk> wrote:
> >
> >>On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 10:10:37 -0000, "Dave H" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >>
> >>>> Halfords is a great place for selling alloy wheels and
air-fresheners -
> >>>> But for gods sake if your going to try to be a parts seller then get
real.
> >>>
> >>>Agreed, I wandered round looking for spare lamps, went to Spare Parts
Desk
> >>>showed girl the lamp 'Do you sell these' asked I 'nope' came the reply
and
> >>>away she went, walked around store again, getting headache from those
car
> >>>radios being tried at full blast, and voila a whole stand dedicated to
the
> >>>art of replacement lamps, carefully hidden in the Ripspeed section.
Then
> >>>stood in checkout queue for 10 mins whilst every 'sales' person ignored
me,
> >>>even the 'nope' girl turned 180 and went away when she saw me. Only
used
> >>>Halfords when I have to i.e. emergency. Don't think I will be doing
much of
> >>>that in future. And had to bite lip and not say 'When you open late for
> >>>staff training, train the staff to know what you sell'
> >>>Dave
> >>
> >>I occasioanlly use Halfords in Plymouth, sometimes I am pleasantly
> >>surprised. Last time I was in there I was after some drivebelts
> >>(fanbelts) for a peugeot, a young girl offered to help (she looked 18,
> >>maybe, just) and without checking the parts catalogue she pulled 2 of
> >>the three I needed fro the rack then went to the book to check the two
> >>types of 3rd belt and confirm the other 2, I was astounded, she
> >>genuinly seemed to know her stuff.
> >>
> >
> >That's a bloody miracle. I only ever go into halford for something
> >like a tin of paint or a bicycle tyre. I gave up long ago looking for
> >anything more complicated. Consequently I now know every motor factor,
> >spare part provider, trade counter and commercial place within a
> >radius of 10 miles.
> >
> >Alex
>
> only 10 miles?
> it's 10 miles to my nearest one that deals mainly with cars, also
> around 10 miles away there are 2 farm supplies places that are good
> for some things, but I usually go around 25 miles to a place in
> Plymouth (nearest city, I'm there often anyway).

I must be a bit lucky, less than 2 miles to huddersfield land rover centre
and work is less than 2 miles to D&R landrover Halifax


 
In news:[email protected],
hugh <hugh@[127.0.0.1]> blithered:
> In message <[email protected]>, Dave H
> <[email protected]> writes
>>> Halfords is a great place for selling alloy wheels and
>>> air-fresheners - But for gods sake if your going to try to be a
>>> parts seller then get real.
>>
>> Agreed, I wandered round looking for spare lamps, went to Spare
>> Parts Desk showed girl the lamp 'Do you sell these' asked I 'nope'
>> came the reply and away she went, walked around store again, getting
>> headache from those car radios being tried at full blast, and voila
>> a whole stand dedicated to the art of replacement lamps, carefully
>> hidden in the Ripspeed section. Then stood in checkout queue for 10
>> mins whilst every 'sales' person ignored me, even the 'nope' girl
>> turned 180 and went away when she saw me. Only used Halfords when I
>> have to i.e. emergency. Don't think I will be doing much of that in
>> future. And had to bite lip and not say 'When you open late for
>> staff training, train the staff to know what you sell' Dave
>>
>>
> Try this one - "Are you trained to be rude/thick/slow or does it just
> come naturally".

Didn't realise Halfords was in the Dixon's group.

--
The enemy of my enemy is my fiend?

If at first you don't succeed,
maybe skydiving's not for you!


 

"Stuart Adair" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Let me tell you about a recent visit to Halfords in Chelteham - the people
> who think they are a car part retailer ..

I use Halfords but only for stuff for work, mainly WD 40 and fuses. The
Cheltenham and Gloucester stores in particular seem to cater for the boy
racer/chav element. Try asking them for a Thermotime switch for a V8 Efi,
cue many blank expressions!.

Dom J



 
Don't get me started on Halfords, or Kwick fit (U can't get thicker than a
kwick fit fitter)... Even the older, non spotty members of staff seem to
have an IQ below that of an ant... But Halfords do have the odd bargain,
found a NICE toolkit in thier outside bins the other day, wuz reduced to
£4.99, and very wet, but must be at least £40-50 worth of just about useable
tools


 
>Subject: Re: Halfords
>From: "Richard" [email protected]
>Date: 21/11/2004 11:10 GMT

>We went to Halfords the other day to get a thermostat for a V8 Land Rover
>90. He asked me if it was a petrol, a diesel or a TD5. Then he asked me what
>year it was, I said 1986 (he was probably born after this!) and he said "it
>still goes then". At this point I walked out.
>Richard
>
>
>"Dave H" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>> Halfords is a great place for selling alloy wheels and air-fresheners -
>>> But for gods sake if your going to try to be a parts seller then get
>>> real.
>>
>> Agreed, I wandered round looking for spare lamps, went to Spare Parts Desk
>> showed girl the lamp 'Do you sell these' asked I 'nope' came the reply and
>> away she went, walked around store again, getting headache from those car
>> radios being tried at full blast, and voila a whole stand dedicated to the
>> art of replacement lamps, carefully hidden in the Ripspeed section. Then
>> stood in checkout queue for 10 mins whilst every 'sales' person ignored
>> me, even the 'nope' girl turned 180 and went away when she saw me. Only
>> used Halfords when I have to i.e. emergency. Don't think I will be doing
>> much of that in future. And had to bite lip and not say 'When you open
>> late for staff training, train the staff to know what you sell'

Why the hell go to Halfords when there are plenty of decent independent Land
Rover parts suppliers and trade motor factors around?


Steve. Suffolk.
remove 'knujon' to e-mail

 
Our Hlafords didnt have the glass fuses I wanted for my 90!
But they have now put a shelf next to the checkout selling chocolate bars.
Yippee
Richard


"Dom J" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Stuart Adair" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Let me tell you about a recent visit to Halfords in Chelteham - the
>> people
>> who think they are a car part retailer ..
>
> I use Halfords but only for stuff for work, mainly WD 40 and fuses.
> The
> Cheltenham and Gloucester stores in particular seem to cater for the boy
> racer/chav element. Try asking them for a Thermotime switch for a V8 Efi,
> cue many blank expressions!.
>
> Dom J
>
>
>


 
Cos it was Saturday afternoon and motor factors etc are shut!!


"AN6530" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >Subject: Re: Halfords
>>From: "Richard" [email protected]
>>Date: 21/11/2004 11:10 GMT
>
>>We went to Halfords the other day to get a thermostat for a V8 Land Rover
>>90. He asked me if it was a petrol, a diesel or a TD5. Then he asked me
>>what
>>year it was, I said 1986 (he was probably born after this!) and he said
>>"it
>>still goes then". At this point I walked out.
>>Richard
>>
>>
>>"Dave H" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:[email protected]...
>>>> Halfords is a great place for selling alloy wheels and air-fresheners -
>>>> But for gods sake if your going to try to be a parts seller then get
>>>> real.
>>>
>>> Agreed, I wandered round looking for spare lamps, went to Spare Parts
>>> Desk
>>> showed girl the lamp 'Do you sell these' asked I 'nope' came the reply
>>> and
>>> away she went, walked around store again, getting headache from those
>>> car
>>> radios being tried at full blast, and voila a whole stand dedicated to
>>> the
>>> art of replacement lamps, carefully hidden in the Ripspeed section. Then
>>> stood in checkout queue for 10 mins whilst every 'sales' person ignored
>>> me, even the 'nope' girl turned 180 and went away when she saw me. Only
>>> used Halfords when I have to i.e. emergency. Don't think I will be doing
>>> much of that in future. And had to bite lip and not say 'When you open
>>> late for staff training, train the staff to know what you sell'
>
> Why the hell go to Halfords when there are plenty of decent independent
> Land
> Rover parts suppliers and trade motor factors around?
>
>
> Steve. Suffolk.
> remove 'knujon' to e-mail
>


 


> Our Hlafords didnt have the glass fuses I wanted for my 90!
> But they have now put a shelf next to the checkout selling chocolate bars.
> Yippee
> Richard
>

Try getting a car product at most filling stations !!! OK if it runs on
burgers pork pies and hot chocolate though


 
On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 15:42:18 -0000, George Spigot wrote:

>> only 10 miles?
>> it's 10 miles to my nearest one that deals mainly with cars, also
>> around 10 miles away there are 2 farm supplies places that are good
>> for some things, but I usually go around 25 miles to a place in
>> Plymouth (nearest city, I'm there often anyway).
>
> I must be a bit lucky, less than 2 miles to huddersfield land rover
> centre and work is less than 2 miles to D&R landrover Halifax

Yep, lucky. The nearest LR Centre is in Carlisle, 20+miles away. Apart
from local garages I can't think of any car parts or motor factor much
closer either. Hexham, Penrith and Carlisle are all more or less 20
miles away. Even though we are remote I wouldn't want to move...

--
Cheers [email protected]
Dave. pam is missing e-mail



 
On Sunday, in article
<[email protected]>
[email protected] "Me" wrote:

> Don't get me started on Halfords, or Kwick fit (U can't get thicker than a
> kwick fit fitter)... Even the older, non spotty members of staff seem to
> have an IQ below that of an ant... But Halfords do have the odd bargain,
> found a NICE toolkit in thier outside bins the other day, wuz reduced to
> £4.99, and very wet, but must be at least £40-50 worth of just about useable
> tools

Their tools do have a good reputation. Scunthorpe, the lads in the bike
department seem to know their stuff.


--
David G. Bell -- SF Fan, Filker, and Punslinger.

"History shows that the Singularity started when Sir Tim Berners-Lee
was bitten by a radioactive spider."
 
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> Yep, lucky. The nearest LR Centre is in Carlisle, 20+miles away. Apart
> from local garages I can't think of any car parts or motor factor much
> closer either. Hexham, Penrith and Carlisle are all more or less 20
> miles away. Even though we are remote I wouldn't want to move...

I can't wait until I move back to Wales. Bearmach in Cardiff, and
Llwynmilwas Workshop just outside Llantrisant who'll do all the stuff
I'm too scared to do or don't have the tools. Plenty of Farmer's Co-ops
etc.

*sigh*

Aled.
 
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> Don't get me started on Halfords, or Kwick fit (U can't get thicker than a
> kwick fit fitter)... Even the older, non spotty members of staff seem to

Aaarrrgh! Kwik-Fit, the people who after changing a tyre for my boss[1]
managed to leave 3 wheelnuts very loose, resulting in him being stopped
by a copper not 300yds down the road as he was trying to work out why
things weren't quite as they were supposed to be.

****s.

Cheers,
Aled.

[1] It was a company car under a lease agreement and Kwik Fit was one of
the agents for the maintenance contract, and the closest by a long shot.
 
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