HALFORDS

Santrypad

Ok decided to get a carerra vulcan disc spec as it was on special in Halfords.

I wanted a 20 inch but my local store in Coolock only had a 18, they could not order a 20 inch and couldnt tell me if they would get more in so I checked online.

The Carlow branch had one so I ordered in online and rang to confirm that was correct size and in stock etc.....they rang yesterday to say it was ready and good to go so I drove down today.

On arriving I was left 30mins while an elderly lady asked questions about a toddlers bmx from stabilizers to even wanting to see the wheels pumped up.

Eventually I got my bike gave it a once over, a quick go around the shop before paying and leaving.I gave it a blast aroun the carpark and it felt great smooth sturdy etc until I worked through the gears......and the chain fell off,this happened twice before I wheeled it back to them.

I was told there was no mechanic there today to fix/adjust it but if I brought it to Coolock they would do it or I could come back tomorrow, needless to say I said I wasnt bring it anywhere it was up to them to fix it or I wanted a refund so he got his `supervisor`.This guy was as useful as a dose of the clap.....he offered a refund nothing else.

I explained to him also was told this was ready so drove from Dublin and surley between four of them one of them sort this and after a `customer service` talk he said he would sort it so I waited.

After another 30mins I was told it was ready so fair enough I thought.....until another guy comes and asks what was up with the bike :mad:,anyway off he went and had a go at it and so did I before leaving.

Same thing again,chain didnt come off but noisy going through the gears and not selecting them all, back again I went and up on the stand it went until he says that should be it now....obviously not as it was still rattling on the hoist....I walked off at this stage and got mangers name and refund.

All in all I spent 1 hour 30 mins each way, two hours in the shop snd didnt even get a sorry bout that.

Will be making a complaint for all the good it will do but if nothing else my advice to anyone is.....

BELIEVE THE REVIEWS AND STAY AWAY FROM HALFORDS,they are untrained useless and a waste of time!!

Captain Havoc

I know the mechanic in Carlow and he's a good guy but his hours have been cut dramatically which judging by your story is a shame. His family have a bicycle shop and he looked after me when I bought my last bike in Halfords.
I used to get a discount off them in Kilkenny because I worked beside them. I'm not mad about anything I've bought in there other than my bike. One lesson I've learned is that going to your LBS is that you've a better chance of getting a good after sales service as they do appreciate the custom (well here in Kilkenny anyway).

Santrypad

I spoke to the mechanic regarding a few things with the bike and indeed he sounded a good guy,in fact it was him that rang and asked did I want anything else etc so in fairness to him he sounded a nice guy.

Mistakes happen,things might need adjusting etc these things can be expected but the level of service you get 10 mins after buying something is appaling,if you bought a car that broke down you wouldnt be told bring it to another garage they will fix it.

I even said to the `supervisor` can you not ring another store and ask their mechanic what do to but he didnt want to know.

Am just disappointed with the service after service and manner of the staff on the day!!!

Captain Havoc

Sorry, I did forget to say, yes it was appauling service out of them.

Jawgap

Coolock Halfords is a disaster area - not sure about Carlow.

Halfords are inconsistent to be sure, but the better stores (in my experience) are Carrickmines and Liffey Valley - and of those two I'd choose Carrickmines.

My own local store - Drogheda - was pretty rubbish, but two new lads seem to have started there and in terms of advice, assistance and quality of work they've transformed the place.

Santrypad

Carlow was the only store that had the 20 inch model so thats why went there.

Im sure if the mechanic was there this would have been sorted as more than likely it just needed adjusting,I probably could have had a go at it myself but why should I,you expect it to be perfect or if not repaired.

Im sure if the mechanic had of been there it would have been sorted and I was spending 350 maybe more with other accessories so by cutting his hours they lost that sale anyway,and this is just one case but even at that im sure the sale would have covered the cost of having him in.......actually i think that lady with the bmx left it cos it had to be assembled and they also told her to come back so thats probably two lost sales jsut while I was there....maybe.

Ah well back to the drawing board looking for a bike but I know were i wont be going anyway!

Santrypad

Ok I have spoken to Halfords in relation to above and got an apology on behalf of the store and they have given me a 30euro voucher for accessories or whatever I want.

Had the sitution been the same but made me feel they wanted to help then it would have been different as things happen......I suppose its how you deal with it that makes the difference.


Anyway maybe Ill get a spare chain with the voucher :P

bikermartin

i bought a bike there 2 months ago , very bad service waited for 2 hrs to have bike got ready, they came and told me then they cannot get gears right. so i said ok. 30 minutes later and after getting a front gear changer off another bike , they came back and said can i wait longer, i said no im in a hurry, i said put all the bits into a bag and i will set it up my self.

i had being dealing with a girl ,she seemed to be ok, she told me to go and pick myself a helmet, which i duly did.... a 90 euro bell ... dont know the model.

needless to say i wont be buying a bike there again.

i was looking for a 350 - 400 euro bike at the time and they had a large selection at the time.

i have went to by LBS to get other things since, where i used to buy all my bits and bobs i needed,
halfords have lost out on another sale as i will be spending 2000 euro 0n a frameset/build up of a road bike some time before christmas

martin

ashleey

Just go to www.chainreactioncycles.com if you are good at your own maintenance or go local