Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Ken T]

I recently got very bad service at Halfords Autocentres, but just before complaining, I thought I would get typical prices from a few other places.

I asked for a replacement alternator to be fitted. Its a common 100A part, fitted to many Vauxhalls, and on the 2.2 its easy, battery off, aux belt off, 2 screws and the air intake's off, and 2 bolts and one nut and bolt and its off. OK, 2 connections to take off, but its a 15 min job if you are any good.

Price was for supply and fit


Local garage, Coleman's. Been working on cars for 20+ years, knows the score, pretty good and reliable. £150


JCT600, a fairly big agents, has centres for several makes of car. In Bradford. Supply alternator £85, fit £81 making £166.


Halfords auto centres (used to be Nationwide). Slight confusion over agreeing price, however £170 plus old alternator kept.


And Wilco Autosave in Batley  £269, and that might be an exchange alternator. 




We are in the wrong game here, £75 for 15 mins work. 

Ken

[Lazydocker]

I'd say that everywhere will charge a minimum of an hours labour. I know that the garage I worked at did.

[dbug]

I recently got very bad service at Halfords Autocentres, but just before complaining, I thought I would get typical prices from a few other places.

I asked for a replacement alternator to be fitted. Its a common 100A part, fitted to many Vauxhalls, and on the 2.2 its easy, battery off, aux belt off, 2 screws and the air intake's off, and 2 bolts and one nut and bolt and its off. OK, 2 connections to take off, but its a 15 min job if you are any good.

Price was for supply and fit


Local garage, Coleman's. Been working on cars for 20+ years, knows the score, pretty good and reliable. £150


JCT600, a fairly big agents, has centres for several makes of car. In Bradford. Supply alternator £85, fit £81 making £166.


Halfords auto centres (used to be Nationwide). Slight confusion over agreeing price, however £170 plus old alternator kept.


And Wilco Autosave in Batley  £269, and that might be an exchange alternator. 




We are in the wrong game here, £75 for 15 mins work. 

Ken

DIY mate 

[Ken T]

DIY, yes, however when your stuck on the M62 at 7:15AM, and have a lot of work to do, and the AA are basically useless (can't change an alternator cause they don't have the tools). 

I discovered the AA have a "financial arrangement" with halfords autocentres, that's why they recommend them instead of doing the work themselves.

Ken

[markspark]

The AA iirc will take you home or to a garage of your choice, they have done for me when i used them last