vindaloo

I'm now convinced that it's not just me becoming irritable with the onset of age.

Last couple of weeks I've had two occasions when I've needed to seek assistance in Halfrods.

First time I wanted Mobil 1 motorsport 15w50, 4L. All I wanted to know was whether they had it in stock. After me saying I wanted it for a Subaru Impreza, I was told I waqnted 0w30 - erm NO! It ended up with the guy giving me an utter blank look and me realising I wasn't getting anywhere and leaving muttering.

Second time: Asked for brake pads for Citroen AX GT. AX 1400 carb. "Sorry sir, don't do those. That would be a MAIN DEALER PART". Brake pads FFS! I actually got them from the Halfrods down the road where they allow assistant-free purchase of brake pads.

I'm experienced in buying stuff from a variety of motor spares places. I usually end up bringing the oily bust bit along for comparison. "If it doesn't look like a shiny version of 'this' then I'm not buying it".

It seems to me that once the end of the computer menus is reached, if you're not in agreement then you're going to be frustrated by the end of the conversation.

J.

Freak

They arent nicknamed 'halfrauds' for nothing you know.
Last resort for me- dont tend to be the cheapest either

logiclee

My mate owns a car spares shop, finding a decent assistant is a major problem.

He will not employ young lads with no experience in the motor trade but tries to employ older ex-mechanics or people from the trade.

Over half his trade is with local garages so he can't afford to supply the wrong bits.

Saying that it's a minefield sometimes, I was there a few days ago and a guy came in with for a Sierra fan belt. The car in question was a 2.0 but the year in question in could have been a Pinto or DOHC. He knew it was a Pinto so now there is a different belt for power steering or not. He knew it didn't have power steering but now there is a choice of belts depending whether is has a 55amp or 75amp alternator and then whether it has V belts or flat belts.

Getting all that info of the General Public who know nothing about cars is very difficult if the cars not parked outside. All they know is that they want a fan belt for a Sierra.

Cheers
Lee

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Ours are usually OK, but they will insist on doing pricematches, FFS.

Bit like Kwikfit.............."ring round, get the best price, and we'll match it". They can't seem to understand why I laugh at them.

If I can get it for the SAME price, elsewhere, why bother going to Halfords then?

Alcazar

brybusa

I was in Halfords a short time back trying to buy some solvol autosol, thought id ask an assistant to save me wandering around the shop...

Result? I ended up wandering around the shop...

Went to pay, overheard a conversation 'tween the branch I was in and another..

assistant 1 " Ive Milton Keynes on the phone, have we (whatever) radio in stock?"

assistant 2 " Is it(what ever) model)

assistant 1 " I dunno, ill tell 'em we aint got one..."

Another satisfied customer.....

I guess ideally all car shops would like to employ ex mechanics, but if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys...

ScoobyJawa

And hence their TV ad

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

I tell you something...finding a good motor factors is bloody hard in this day and age. Thanks to the national branding of the likes of Halfrauds, Motor world etc.

You wouldn't believe the trouble I went to get hold of a piston ring compressor. Finding someone who knew what it actually is would help for starters rather than getting a "durrrrrrrr" response. Mind, I did finally get one from Halfraud this time....after I found it myself because the assistent didn't have a clue what or where it would be. Let alone having one in stock!

And when I purchased a Brake Master cylinder, which had different sized unions (upgrading to twin circuit), I must have visited 15 different motor factors to try and get hold the right sized ones.

Was getting quite funny though, every independent shop I went in had the same response (sucks through teeth) "ooh blimey (or effin ell), oi ain't 'ad anyone com askin' fur one 'o 'em fur donkeys". Then the bloke dives under counter and pulls out a tray of assorted unions covered in 10years of dust and starts sifting through for one

Hammy Hamster

What's one of them?

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

That's a specialist Subaru part

RayC

Our local halfords has taken to employing very fit young laydees and policy i wholy support, as mentioned, flick through the book yourself and eyeball or take the part with you, they usually are quite good for stock and they have good opening times, they are no better than focus do it all, or PC world for help/support unless you want those lovely too fast and furious stickers or red brake calipers, in that case they have a greasy foreheaded oik who is a specially trained in his own time on citroens and fords!

brybusa

LOL Ray

yes, the 2 nearest to me have their "company" VTR/S's out the front, complete with afterburner/lexus lights and no doubt ripspeed gear *****...