Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: albitz on 18 July 2012, 18:44:56
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Worst customer service in the country. :)
http://uk.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/halfords-voted-worst-store-in-britain/
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Our Halfords is ok. You walk in, find what you want on the shelf and give the young bird on the till some dosh.
No conversation necessary.
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I can't say I've ever really had that many problems with Halfords. I think some of their problem is that the system the staff have to use is geared for numpties and doesn't allow them to stray from the official set rules.
They have changed their target audience too to the kids that want blue led lit boom boom stereos and go faster neon lighting kits. ;)
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Local one was fine. Change of management has changed all that. Bunch of idiots in there now. With a bigger idiot in charge.
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I had quite an argument with them a little while ago when I applied for a Trade Card. Apparently my lack of City and Guilds certificates meant I wasn't in the trade ::) I pointed them to the website, showed business cards and business bank cards and demanded one...
I won :-X :-X :y :y
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The Colchester branch is fackin atrocious. :)
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Being awkward are they? I might go in just to ask for another card, just for a row, given the agro I've had with the manager.
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:y Used the one at kingston park Newcastle yesterday , very keen lady assistant found what i wanted , took my money, and i went home, just how it should be !
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In Colchester the staff all sem to congrgate at the ICE counter,desopite the queues at the till. I was in there one day and a bloke stood at the till with his two kids.When one of the spotty yoofs decided the queue was long enough he came to the tills to serve. "Can I see the manager please", says the bloke,a few minutes later the manger appears. "I have been stood upstairs for over half an hour waiting for ine of your so called staff to come and serve me.I wanted to buy two new bikes at a cost of well over £200,but I gave up in the end.I just thought I would let you know before I take my custom to the local bike shop". Mangaer - "Im so sorry sir,I will investigate and take appropriate action asap,now if you come upstairs with me I will personally see that you are attended to blah blah blah....". "No you wont,I wouldnt buy a puncture repair kit from this bloody place etc.etc." and off he went.
Laugh ? I nearly shat meself. ;D ;D
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Well, the one I use is in Milton Keynes, so naturally staffed by complete retards, like shops there - as I'm sure locals will agree.
Best thing I find is to pre-order via web, pick it up, cancel the pre-order, and buy it on trade (unless its a special offer cheaper at retail). Minimal conversation needed.
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I tried to discover if they sold brake pipes a month or so ago.Spotty yoof hands me a package containing some see through rubber pipe and says "that should do fine". It was either chin him or walk away,so as I was in a bit of a hurry I walked awaywithout so much as uttering another word to him. ;D ;D
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Similar with tool boxes. Shown in stock brand new in box. He disappeared out the back to fetch it, and I could hear from the clattering it wasn't boxed, and was being bounced if the edge if every shelf on its way to clattering onto the floor.
He dragged it along on the floor, through the doors onto the shop floor, bounced the top edge off the counter edge as he placed it into the bench in front of me, as I stood there hand on forehead looking through my fingers in a Gorden Ramsey style, muttering "oh come on" to my self.
"there you are sir, that's £80 odd pounds please."
I turned and walked out, shaking my head as I left. Oh fe@king SIGH!
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I seem to have patience with the 'tards in Bletchley Hellfrauds. I guess it depends on your level of expectation...
Maybe I should lower my expectations on buying fuel... ...I night manage tunnie type mileages from my tyres :-\
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I seem to have patience with the 'tards in Bletchley Hellfrauds. I guess it depends on your level of expectation...
Maybe I should lower my expectations on buying fuel... ...I night manage tunnie type mileages from my tyres :-\
Not unless we fit a big restriction under the loud pedal ::)
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I think you are better of dealing with your local motor factors
and it will be a bit cheaper as well
Go where the trade goes Hellfords are DIY
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I think you are better of dealing with your local motor factors
and it will be a bit cheaper as well
Go where the trade goes Hellfords are DIY
Yep, I agree. But Hellfrauds are convenient sometimes (Weekends or short notice) as my nearest factors (apart from a little independent who are very good but a bit pricey) is about a 35 mile round trip ;)
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As said so many times before. Pattern parts are not, generally, worth the money. Kyb and oe suppliers aside.
Trade club remember. Trade club being best value for tools mostly. Better quality than that Lazer shite in the factors.
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Although Halfords also stick some Lazer crap.
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I'm glad that this threads been started as I'm really pi***d off at Halfords in Bracknell,I need to get my old radio/cassette out of my PFL and put in a used JVC unit. I bought the removal tools on Egay which seem to be useless, so I thought I'd nip into Halfords and get them to take the old unit out then buy the proper connector for the JVC then back home to finish off the job.It was early and there was only one customer in the store and of course only one staff member on the till and absolutely no other staff around.So I went and stood by the till hoping to get in the least an "I'll be with you in a moment" or because I was standing by her with the JVC in my hand she could have offered to call another member of staff,but no,she just carried on chatting away to the customer standing by the till who as it turned out was waiting to have a radio/cd fitted.She then turned away and pi***d off,again no "I'll be back in a moment" just Jack s**t, with that I stormed out of the place and I know it's easy to say I wont be using them again but I'm done with them for good.The problem with Halfords is they employ retards and then trust them to run their stores >:(
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I'm glad that this threads been started as I'm really pi***d off at Halfords in Bracknell,I need to get my old radio/cassette out of my PFL and put in a used JVC unit. I bought the removal tools on Egay which seem to be useless, so I thought I'd nip into Halfords and get them to take the old unit out then buy the proper connector for the JVC then back home to finish off the job.It was early and there was only one customer in the store and of course only one staff member on the till and absolutely no other staff around.So I went and stood by the till hoping to get in the least an "I'll be with you in a moment" or because I was standing by her with the JVC in my hand she could have offered to call another member of staff,but no,she just carried on chatting away to the customer standing by the till who as it turned out was waiting to have a radio/cd fitted.She then turned away and pi***d off,again no "I'll be back in a moment" just Jack s**t, with that I stormed out of the place and I know it's easy to say I wont be using them again but I'm done with them for good.The problem with Halfords is they employ retards and then trust them to run their stores >:(
In these cases Nitro I would always complain, in writing, to the store manager or the regional manager if that's the way they organise - don't accept poor service like this by walking away without telling them why.
Insofar as the 'tards are concerned, TB has the answer to that one. :-X ;D ;D :y
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Last time I went to Hellfrauds I was in Swindon. Battery died at the M4 services so limped into their car park, legged it into the store with the engine running, picked up a battery, then realised I didn't have any tools. Then I saw the sign "We'll fit it free". Sorted. :y
Gibbon comes out with his tool kit, looking worried. "According to our systems, this is a "challenging fit"". ;D
Hmm. Two terminals and a clamp bolt on the bracket? We'll see.
He failed to use enough muscle to remove the first terminal "That's seized, mate".
Needless to say, I ended up changing the battery using his tools. ;D
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Here's a good 'un ............
According to these mothers, the X25DT motor simply doesn't exist - TD owners beware! (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/43954633/bangshead.gif)
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Halfords is a convenience store. They hire students and people willing to work for very little in return other than attitude and very little money. Do you 100% blame them for maybe being a bit quiet if they get talked to like they're morons all day? They're not fully trained mechanics. The guy that posted about the brake lines, a spotty student studying maths or something at the local college who has very little interest in cars but had taken what he can get has put two and two together and thought you meant a bleed kit. He's done his best to help there but got it wrong. Would take 10 seconds to explain you didn't mean a bleed kit, you meant the copper piping that runs under and around the car to the brakes. No need to think about popping a fuse or walking out. Cut them some slack.
If I went to a motorfactors and they behaved like that I'd be very worried!
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18898765
:)
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Here's a good 'un ............
According to these mothers, the X25DT motor simply doesn't exist - TD owners beware! (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/43954633/bangshead.gif)
;D ;D ;D
Not too bad service around here , guy offered to fit my wiper blades which i thought was jolly decent of him until he mentioned that will be £10 sir ??? No thanks mr halfrud ::)
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Halfords is a convenience store. They hire students and people willing to work for very little in return other than attitude and very little money. Do you 100% blame them for maybe being a bit quiet if they get talked to like they're morons all day? They're not fully trained mechanics. The guy that posted about the brake lines, a spotty student studying maths or something at the local college who has very little interest in cars but had taken what he can get has put two and two together and thought you meant a bleed kit. He's done his best to help there but got it wrong. Would take 10 seconds to explain you didn't mean a bleed kit, you meant the copper piping that runs under and around the car to the brakes. No need to think about popping a fuse or walking out. Cut them some slack.
If I went to a motorfactors and they behaved like that I'd be very worried!
Yes I do blame them.Anyone who is emplyed should,within reason,do the job to the best of their ability and should take an interest in learning what they can about the subject while they are employed there.The level of pay doesnt really come into it imo.Its a matter of personal pride and development,and recognising that the world doesnt owe any of us a living.
He didnt offer me a brake bleeding kit.Just a packet with some plastic pipe in,and told me that was what I needed.
Having said all that,I asked a lad in a motor factors for valve grinding paste a few years back,and he looked at me as though I were speaking Swahili, so Halfords is by no means unique. ;D
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Like a lot of big stores, Halfrauds have got greedy and tried to sell everything from car parts to in car entertainment, toys, bikes, tents, etc. and at least 50% of the stuff in the store is total tat, as far as I can see. Then they try and add value with their maintenance depots and "fit it for you" services with staff who simply don't know what they are doing.
The result is that they can't support any of their product lines with any knowledge any more. If you want to buy a bike, go to a bike shop instead where you'll actually get some advice and after-sales service. For car parts, any motor factors will beat them on price, quality and probability of giving you the correct part. Ditto for camping gear, in car entertainment, etc.
They have just become somewhere to mope around while SWMBO is in the TKMaxx next door, and for the odd impulse purchase if you fail to remember the above, IMHO.
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Like a lot of big stores, Halfrauds have got greedy and tried to sell everything from car parts to in car entertainment, toys, bikes, tents, etc. and at least 50% of the stuff in the store is total tat, as far as I can see. Then they try and add value with their maintenance depots and "fit it for you" services with staff who simply don't know what they are doing.
The result is that they can't support any of their product lines with any knowledge any more. If you want to buy a bike, go to a bike shop instead where you'll actually get some advice and after-sales service. For car parts, any motor factors will beat them on price, quality and probability of giving you the correct part. Ditto for camping gear, in car entertainment, etc.
They have just become somewhere to mope around while SWMBO is in the TKMaxx next door, and for the odd impulse purchase if you fail to remember the above, IMHO.
Yes I would agree with that K - of course it shouldn't be at all surprising when one considers that, in today's world, retailing is considered to be next to Godliness (or whatever flavour of Being you prefer) and the message put out by these emporiums of plenty is that, as they are the personal representatives on this earth of that Deity, their word nor indeed any of their actions must be questioned in any way whatsoever.
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One of my regulars is a very cute girl* who works for this lot. Or at least likes the uniform.
Can't argue with the Professional range of tools when they're on offer, either.
*sadly, to go with the uniform, also has comfortable shoes
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What happened to the competition though...? There used to be a similar type company, green and white shop front, years ago now mind. :-\
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I think you are better of dealing with your local motor factors
and it will be a bit cheaper as well
Go where the trade goes Hellfords are DIY
I tried going to the only 'factors' open on a Saturday around here once - a GSF, I think.. "I need some 19mm water hose", "Ok, what's the registration number", "It's not a standard part, I just need hose off the reel", "Oh, we don't do that, we only sell things with a registration number to look parts up with".. Bah!
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I think you are better of dealing with your local motor factors
and it will be a bit cheaper as well
Go where the trade goes Hellfords are DIY
I tried going to the only 'factors' open on a Saturday around here once - a GSF, I think.. "I need some 19mm water hose", "Ok, what's the registration number", "It's not a standard part, I just need hose off the reel", "Oh, we don't do that, we only sell things with a registration number to look parts up with".. Bah!
Yes it's the British disease it seems to me.
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What happened to the competition though...? There used to be a similar type company, green and white shop front, years ago now mind. :-\
I believe they went bust, probably as a result of selling even worse tat :-\ think there used to be one in Crawley, don't recall seeing much of use in there :-\
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Les Smith, was it? Rings a bell somewhere... :-\
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Ah yes, good shout Kev. Could well have been.
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my local factors are no better,
last year while being served a set of pads, someone asked for a fanbelt for a clit, monkey could not find it in his book,
probably as he was looking under peugeot and he needed an alternator belt.
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my local factors are no better, ......
Neither are mine.
There's an Andrew Page just down the road from me and a few months back I went inside to the sales counter where I pressed the bell (which I knew worked ......... I could hear it) At the side of the counter is a window to an office with 3 members of staff answering the phone to the rest of Joe Public, all of them stayed put on their 4rses despite at least one of them making eye contact. I stood patiently waiting to be served ................ nothing doing!
In the end I tapped on the window & waived good bye & walked out! I guess AP won't be getting any further trade from me!
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my local factors are no better, ......
Neither are mine.
There's an Andrew Page just down the road from me and a few months back I went inside to the sales counter where I pressed the bell (which I knew worked ......... I could hear it) At the side of the counter is a window to an office with 3 members of staff answering the phone to the rest of Joe Public, all of them stayed put on their 4rses despite at least one of them making eye contact. I stood patiently waiting to be served ................ nothing doing!
In the end I tapped on the window & waived good bye & walked out! I guess AP won't be getting any further trade from me!
similar t short here. Except I rang them from the counter while I waited. Established the parts where in stock, and arranged to pick them up....NOW! Ffs! ;D
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I must admit I try not to use them as I find they seem to employ people that are not that knowledgable about the majority of items they sell,but occasionally I will use them when they have a 3 for 2 on autoglym products or in a real emergency ie.late Sunday afternoon... :y
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Must admit Camberley Auto Factors around here are pretty good. Needed some MX5 disks and pads in a hurry last weekend and they sorted me out. Even gave me a trade card. :y
There's a local independent place in Alton who's good to. It's all down to the guy behind the counter. If (s)he knows what (S)he's doing it's fine. If they are clueless or not remotely motivated towards customer service it's a waste of time.
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I don't go in with any expectations really, I usually know what I need beforehand, grab it, pay buttons with the trade card and leave. I haven't met a factor for years who can deal with me without the need for endless books and the bloody reg number.
Research berore ye go !!
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My mates wife went to halfords autocentre yesterday because her bonnet was stuck shut and me and her hubby where at work... they wanted £200 to open the bonnet because in their words we`ll have to cut the bonnet off and replace it with a new one off ford..... needless to say she said no and waited for me and her hubby to come home... It took us 25mins to open the bonnet without scratching or damaging the bonnet or any other parts..... her focus is booked in there for MOT this weekend... I suggested she cancel it and re-book it somewhere else...... ::) ::)
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Must admit Camberley Auto Factors around here are pretty good. Needed some MX5 disks and pads in a hurry last weekend and they sorted me out. Even gave me a trade card. :y
I always forget about them! Little bit of a trek (well, 20-30 mins away) but I see they're open saturday and sunday. Probably would have dug me out of the clag last time when I was desperately searching for that 19mm coolant hose, too!
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Must admit Camberley Auto Factors around here are pretty good. Needed some MX5 disks and pads in a hurry last weekend and they sorted me out. Even gave me a trade card. :y
I always forget about them! Little bit of a trek (well, 20-30 mins away) but I see they're open saturday and sunday. Probably would have dug me out of the clag last time when I was desperately searching for that 19mm coolant hose, too!
There's Ine round the corner from my house. Rarely use them tbh. :-\