Halfords open?

Whocare

Are Halfords open?

User1998

Yeah but you can’t go inside the shop, you have to tell the staff what you want and they go get it for you

Whocare

User1998 wrote: »

Yeah but you can’t go inside the shop, you have to tell the staff what you want and they go get it for you

Might aswell be close then.

User1998

Yeah I was fairly disappointed

Can you order for collection?

User1998

Yeah I saw others do that

Azatadine

Pretty big queues as well needed a new tube for my bike yesterday but would have been in the queue for probably 20 mins so didn't bother for now.

sdanseo

Fairly ridiculous carry on. The local petrol station has barely room for 2 people in its shop but can open with a limit of 5. Plenty of other very small shops throwing caution a bit to the wind while Halfords and many other retail units like it where you could happily space out 50-100 people at 2m distances can't open at all, and Tesco etc continue to limit the numbers to silly low levels, causing needless queues and frustration.

In the bigger stores it's also hard to understand all the queueing in aisles mullarkey. Just remove some shelves and make one long queue with adequate spacing.

I know this is unprecedented and all, but some of the reactions have been just plain stupid and ignorant of common sense.

sdanseo

sdanseo wrote: »

Fairly ridiculous carry on. The local petrol station has barely room for 2 people in its shop but can open with a limit of 5. Plenty of other very small shops throwing caution a bit to the wind while Halfords and many other retail units like it where you could happily space out 50-100 people at 2m distances can't open at all, and Tesco etc continue to limit the numbers to silly low levels, causing needless queues and frustration.

In the bigger stores it's also hard to understand all the queueing in aisles mullarkey. Just remove some shelves and make one long queue with adequate spacing.

I know this is unprecedented and all, but some of the reactions have been just plain stupid and ignorant of common sense.

They should be closing the small shops rather than using it as an excuse to open bigger ones. This virus is not gone we need to be doubling our efforts.

I’ve no idea why petrol station shops have been allowed to let people inside at any stage. Of all the shops they are they best setup for serving to people outsider as they all have hatches etc for night time serving, madness really they are letting people in.

peteb2

sdanseo wrote:

Fairly ridiculous carry on. The local petrol station has barely room for 2 people in its shop but can open with a limit of 5. Plenty of other very small shops throwing caution a bit to the wind while Halfords and many other retail units like it where you could happily space out 50-100 people at 2m distances can't open at all, and Tesco etc continue to limit the numbers to silly low levels, causing needless queues and frustration.

It's because the bigger shops don't want you in touching products and browsing at this point. Buyers only. Also if everyone went in browsing for a bit of release the people that actually want products could be waiting an hour outside till you come out.....with nothing.

None of those five people in the petrol station are just having a look!

knifey_spoonie

Fairly sh1tty attitude from some of the posters in here. You cannot compare a tier 1 retailer to a tier 2 business, the guidelines and standards required for each are massively different. I would suggest you all take a read of the guidelines on returning to work before having ago at a retailer who is working responsibly within the guidelines.

You can be sure that the management of halfords would love the swing their doors open and let everyone in, but that would not inline with guidelines or be social responsible. Phase one is the start of a long road, if it's not carried out in a responsible manner we have a very real chance of moving backwards.

One thing i have learned from week one of my workplace being opened is, you cannot trust the general public to act responsibly in the current circumstances. The only option is to a process in places that eliminates the possibility of someone putting you in a compromised position. This is what Halfords have done, undoubtedly it has a negative effect on turnover but it is the correct and responsible way to operate.

D3V!L

A fair few motor factors open, best place for car parts etc. The staff in Halfords have a very basic knowledge of cars and automotive. I've asked for stuff in their stores before only to be met with a bewildered look.

Whocare

D3V!L wrote: »

A fair few motor factors open, best place for car parts etc. The staff in Halfords have a very basic knowledge of cars and automotive. I've asked for stuff in their stores before only to be met with a bewildered look.

Yeah of course there no point asking staff .but like most people who go into Halfords maybe for some cleaning stuff and a wander around to see if there anything interesting for sale

sdanseo

peteb2 wrote: »

It's because the bigger shops don't want you in touching products and browsing at this point. Buyers only. Also if everyone went in browsing for a bit of release the people that actually want products could be waiting an hour outside till you come out.....with nothing.

None of those five people in the petrol station are just having a look!

Most people don't want to browse, they want to get their essentials without an undue 30+ minute delay. There is absolutely no problem with reasonable distancing but when you have a 5,000sqm store you could let in more than just a few at a time.

recyclebin

D3V!L wrote: »

A fair few motor factors open, best place for car parts etc. The staff in Halfords have a very basic knowledge of cars and automotive. I've asked for stuff in their stores before only to be met with a bewildered look.

Halfords were handy for late opening and also pen on a Sunday unlike most motor factors. It can be hard to get to a motor factors if you are working during the week. In motor factors you cant' really browse, and have to queue up just to ask what they have in stock behind the counter and how much it costs.

I've a trade card with Halfords. I can look up the trade price on the website and check stock. Can be very handy for checking deals on engine oil, screen wash, bulbs etc.

DrSpongeBobz

Lots of items out of stock in my local Halfords telling me to drive to Galway/Dublin for collection lol

MadYaker

Whocare wrote: »

Might aswell be close then.

How so? You can still get what you need. If you don't need anything you shouldn't be going to Halfords.

James Bond Junior

recyclebin wrote: »

Halfords were handy for late opening and also pen on a Sunday unlike most motor factors. It can be hard to get to a motor factors if you are working during the week. In motor factors you cant' really browse, and have to queue up just to ask what they have in stock behind the counter and how much it costs.

I've a trade card with Halfords. I can look up the trade price on the website and check stock. Can be very handy for checking deals on engine oil, screen wash, bulbs etc.

A motor factor's customer isn't the lad browsing or a lad dropping in to see what is on offer. Comparing Halfords to your average factors is like comparing a homewares shop to a hardware shop. Halfords don't sell 99% of what a factors sells, wipers and oil are about as much as you can get, everything else is accessories rather than replacement parts.

recyclebin

DrSpongeBobz wrote: »

Lots of items out of stock in my local Halfords telling me to drive to Galway/Dublin for collection lol

Castlebar Halfords wasn't open yesterday when I went to call in. Are they only opening certain stores? Website also directs me to Galway when I check stock.

Ended up going to Top Part instead. They ended up being more expensive versus Halfords trade price for the same bottle of stp air con gas and hose.

James Bond Junior

recyclebin wrote: »

Castlebar Halfords wasn't open yesterday when I went to call in. Are they only opening certain stores? Website also directs me to Galway when I check stock.

Ended up going to Top Part instead. They ended up being more expensive versus Halfords trade price for the same bottle of stp air con gas and hose.

Did you ask for trade price? They would probably match Halfords if you asked.

James Bond Junior

James Bond Junior wrote: »

A motor factor's customer isn't the lad browsing or a lad dropping in to see what is on offer. Comparing Halfords to your average factors is like comparing a homewares shop to a hardware shop. Halfords don't sell 99% of what a factors sells, wipers and oil are about as much as you can get, everything else is accessories rather than replacement parts.

In fairness Halfords sell an awful lot more than you are making out there. Filters, batteries, breaks parts, all types of lubricants, spark plugs, bulbs etc

James Bond Junior

Tobias Massive Production wrote: »

In fairness Halfords sell an awful lot more than you are making out there. Filters, batteries, breaks parts, all types of lubricants, spark plugs, bulbs etc

Ok fair enough but my point is, your typical garage man doesn't go to Halfords. You're not going to walk into Halfords with an nct fail sheet and walk out with an engine mount, ARB and droplinks.

And in the interest of clarity, I have a very close connection to the motor factors mentioned above.

biko

Whocare wrote: »

wander around to see if there anything interesting for sale

sdanseo wrote: »

Most people don't want to browse

When worlds collide.


On topic, Halfords are open but people can't go inside. Instead I suggest going to local motor factors who need your money much more than a mega UK chain does.

Whocare

What are Halford playing at ffs. When to Halford to get a bit paint sandpaper engine oil and few other things. Still can't go into shop at this rate I will need go to my local motor factor

DrSpongeBobz

Is it still only 10 halfords stores open?

Whocare

DrSpongeBobz wrote: »

Is it still only 10 halfords stores open?

Not sure. But one cork you can't go in

Tropheus

I needed a couple of things from Halfords in Swords over the weekend. Ordered them online and then went down when I got the text to say they were ready. I had to queue for half an hour.

It doesn't make much sense as all the shops around them at Airside are open and you can go in albeit after queueing. They told me that they expect to be open fully in a couple of weeks.

Whocare

Tropheus wrote: »

I needed a couple of things from Halfords in Swords over the weekend. Ordered them online and then went down when I got the text to say they were ready. I had to queue for half an hour.

It doesn't make much sense as all the shops around them at Airside are open and you can go in albeit after queueing. They told me that they expect to be open fully in a couple of weeks.

yeah might try online there website I guess fairly good I guess

Whocare

Halfords now are fully open

NBar

All of them or one you have gone to as not saying so on their websites thanks

Atlantic Dawn

Whocare wrote: »

Halfords now are fully open

So you can walk around inside?

ohnonotgmail

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

So you can walk around inside?

yeah i was in one yesterday.

AUDI20

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

So you can walk around inside?

Yes I was in the Waterford one yesterday

Whocare

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

So you can walk around inside?

Yes (the one cork anyway

IRE60

I tripped over this thread, but delighted to share.
The young fella has refused to stop growing, so a new bike has to be sought. We went to Carrickmines (Big Smoke) Friday afternoon.

Two queues, motor and bikes. The motor moved (pun?) but the bike was a nightmare. Nothing to do with Halfords I'm keen to stress - just the fact you are buying a bike need a bit of browsing. On the flip the motoring is a specific purchase and will be more time efficient.


They are doing a click and collect - but, as far as I could see, they had to q as well. Note to Halfords: three queues, Bike, Motors and Click and collect - embrace e-commerce!

pippip

Yeh I couldn't believe Halfords didn't have a separate queue and area in the store for click and collect.

About two weeks ago I spent 20mins in a queue for click and collect in Tallaght, a small €8 tool for my kids bike was all I needed. There were only 5 people ahead so I thought it wouldn't be too long. By the time I got in there were 15people behind me. The chap at the door kept going down the queue to ask if anyone needed the motor section (downstairs) they could go straight in but most were for bikes (upstairs).

When I did get in to my surprise the bike section was EMPTY, I mean there was nothing, shelves nearly bare and I think I counted 7 bikes in total in the racks.

Even when I did get to the cashier it took him 5mins of back and forth to get what I had reserved and pay for. Terrible system. As I waited to pay the amount of people who came in behind me and just walked back out of the store when they saw there were no bikes.

Hopefully they've got there act together since cause I couldn't believe how badly it was all managed.

CrankyHaus

Yeah I popped into the Liffey Valley one last Friday. You'd think maintaining social distancing in a big store with maybe 2 customers would be easy. However when one of the staff decided to pass me in a narrow aisle with a loud exclamation of breath towards me as he passed I decided to take my money elsewhere.

micks_address

Was pretty much the only shop to have a large queue outside it in airside swords yesterday.... few outside DID but long queue at halfords... camping gear?

colm_mcm

micks_address wrote: »

Was pretty much the only shop to have a large queue outside it in airside swords yesterday.... few outside DID but long queue at halfords... camping gear?

Bikes, most in the queue last weekend were looking for bikes. My local bike shop had queues down the street too.

I only wanted a litre of overpriced oil. couldn’t get it anywhere else.

corks finest

CrankyHaus wrote: »

Yeah I popped into the Liffey Valley one last Friday. You'd think maintaining social distancing in a big store with maybe 2 customers would be easy. However when one of the staff decided to pass me in a narrow aisle with a loud exclamation of breath towards me as he passed I decided to take my money elsewhere.

Open all over,but won't fit stereos etc for week's I've been told

SureYWouldntYa

corks finest wrote: »

Open all over,but won't fit stereos etc for week's I've been told

Feck anyway, finally bought a car this week and always said first thing I'd do is get dash cams and a decent stereo i can plug the phone into

I don't know anywhere else close that does installation, always had Halfords in mind

ShedTower

Still some Halfords stores closed. The only store still closed in a small retail unit near me. I presume they're getting some sort of business Covid handout. And of course the staff will be all getting their €350 a week.

At this stage of the game I really think these should be open and not still feeding off the Covid payments.

pippip

ShedTower wrote: »

Still some Halfords stores closed. The only store still closed in a small retail unit near me. I presume they're getting some sort of business Covid handout. And of course the staff will be all getting their €350 a week.

At this stage of the game I really think these should be open and not still feeding off the Covid payments.

It can be a big gamble, if they open and aren't making enough in sales they all could be out of a job.

But they should be able to open and still use the covid wage subsidy scheme.
Maybe there's more going on in the background and they never plan on reopening.

ShedTower

pippip wrote: »

It can be a big gamble, if they open and aren't making enough in sales they all could be out of a job.

But they should be able to open and still use the covid wage subsidy scheme.
Maybe there's more going on in the background and they never plan on reopening.

We're reading of queues in other stores. If they can't make selling car parts, cycling and camping gear work this year then I doubt they'd have made it this far.

pippip

ShedTower wrote: »

We're reading of queues in other stores. If they can't make selling car parts, cycling and camping gear work this year then I doubt they'd have made it this far.

Yeh but that's the illusion, queues at shops is the result of limiting numbers, it does not mean they are making money or that they are experiencing high volume of sales. I'm sure their registers are processing far fewer purchases per hour than before covid and people buying less in each purchase. I'd usually go to Halfords and have a look around and usually leave with more than I went in for, now I'm in grab what I came for and gone asap.

Doodah7

Closing 60 stores permanently in the UK. I'm not sure how insulated the Irish operation is from the UK one?

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jul/13/halfords-to-close-60-sites-despite-rise-in-bike-sales-in-lockdown

recyclebin

Don't think Castlebar one has reopened. Looked closed at the weekend.