Halfords

Nigzcurran

Just spotted their Google reviews all being removed, are they closing down the Irish stores? They are no longer appearing in the likes of Google maps

Quiksilver

just spotted that also, I had rated the Limerick store and got a notification that the store was being removed from Google maps.

Miscreant

I wouldn't be surprised if they are closing down. I doubt they are selling enough to keep those large premises going.

Better deals and service to be got from a local motor factors anyway.

SCOOP 64

Got the same notivaction that my Google review had been removed .

Nigzcurran

They were handy to have especially with the trade card discount

antodeco

Interesting. Just tried there, and none showing up. I always liked Halfords. Handy for picking up random bits during a browse. Also handy for the likes of camping gas canisters, so no idea where I'll get them now if they close!

BlakeS94

I've always rated their tools, and they're great for the odd bits and bobs.

At the same time not surprised if they do close

Padre_Pio

Pity if they close. They do excellent deals on decent tools and oil/coolant every now and again

MarkR

And being able to pick up stuff on a Sunday.

Magown3

what happens with their lifetime guarantee on their tools. Are we gonna have to post defective tools to UK?? Awkward 🙁

spockety

If a major chain like that is closing down, I'd be surprised if their priority is to remove old Google reviews in advance.

antodeco

Theres only two Halfords on maps now and they're just people's houses

Miscreant

While I wouldn't be surprised if they are closing down, there is nothing on their website to indicate any closures. All of their stores are still listed and you can make an order and reserve stock for pickup from the locations.

Perhaps the Halfords parent company has sent a privacy request to Google and they are now busy removing all entries? Would certainly be weird for a commercial operation to do but I can't think of any other explanation.

Interesting question about their "lifetime" warranty from @Magown3 though. I have a set of their Advanced tools that came with this warranty so it would be curious to know as well. I would imagine we would have to go to the UK to get it replaced, although that is now outside of the EU and may not be covered by the terms of the original warranty 🙂

thebiglad

I got the same message re a Clayton Hotels post from Google last week, pretty sure they are not closing and the hotel in question is not being rebranded - I just put it down to some adjustments being made in Google to their Maps app.

cml387

Just because your phone has told you that Halfords has been removed from Google maps it's assumed they are closing? Pretty big leap there I would have thought.

BlakeS94

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122084093#Comment_122084093

Not just Google reviews on maps, you can't see them at all if you type in halfords Limerick for example

HBC08

Hope this isn't true.

My local Halfords are great for changing bulbs on my car (notoriously hard to get at)

Great for other bits and bobs,camping,cycling etc and very friendly staff.

SCOOP 64

Agree with that alright only way to change headlight bulb on one side of my car is to take air filter box out which not every one would like to do.

Nekarsulm

They closed their Longford store almost a year ago.

Unit is still empty.

Clo-Clo

THey are pulling out of Ireland I heard, Brexit and all that doesn't make it viable for them

Kimbot

Probably the same situation as argos, its just not that viable for them here.

cena

The galway store have some shelves empty for a long time

geotrig

I say they do a hell of a bit more trade than what Argos did near the end here, every time I go to the limerick store its busy and was been restocked the weekend when I was in there

Kimbot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122086098#Comment_122086098

The portlaoise store does be fairly busy any time im there too however i did notice certain things not been restocked over the last while and none of the computer terminals for looking up parts for you car work in it anymore either.

Schorpio

Would be very sorry to see them go, if that is indeed what is happening. Picking up a few bits from them at very short notice has saved my bacon on more than one occasion.

I know they are not loved by the local bike shops, but the ability to see price & stock levels online is something Irish retailers just can't seem to master, and Halfords does it right down to the smallest items.

I don't think Halfords closing would be akin to Argos - Sainsburys bought Argos and had zero interest in the Irish market from the get-go. They basically under-invested and just let the Irish business fizzle out.

hellyeah

Be sad to see then go if true. Always got my oil there when on special. Cheapest oil change I ever done was 20euro for oil plus filter. Very handy when you weekend warrior work goes wrong on a Saturday and you need something on a Sunday. 🤣

I also get 10% of with AXA which is handy.

nigeldaniel

If they go I will miss them, the bikes upstairs in Tralee was always a spot I spent a few minutes.

Marcusm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122086126#Comment_122086126

many of the U.K. Argos are now within Sainsburys. The business model changed, stock management became key so it’s more click and collect which is easier when each store is on the same island as the distribution centre.

Marcusm

The perverse thing about Halfords as a multiple retailer is that it is much more like your local motor factors/handyman rolled into one. Whether for awkward bulb changes, battery changes etc, wiper changes, much easier than a garage.

antodeco

Ive noticed Liffey valley haven't restocked their bulbs in weeks, so I've had to buy some from Amazon.

RINO87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122083686#Comment_122083686

If its the butane cartridge ones you are after Homesavers usually have them at a good price.

Kimbot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122088610#Comment_122088610

Also tesco had some recently at a good price too :)

mgbgt1978

I certainly hope they are not leaving the Irish Market.

I have a Trade Card and, apart from some great everyday discounts, there are often massive discounts on certain items.

Hurrache

They're excellent for getting stuff like anything in the Thule range, often at discounts too.

zg3409

Halfords have some very cheap stuff and some very overpriced stuff. Open on a Sunday is very helpful. I heard a similar rumour 2 months ago. I don't think the evidence is great yet.

MrAuto

Halfords are aware of an issue where stores are not showing on Google searches and are working with Google to resolve. If you pop into any Halfords store they’ll advise the same.

In the meantime, please use the Halfords store locator on the Halfords website to find local stores and their addresses/contact details😊

~ MrAuto (Halfords Staff Member)

Nigzcurran

Cheers for that 👍🏻

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122091697#Comment_122091697

Don't trust their opening times though. I checked one of their stores on their sites and it was supposed to be open till 8, I went in at 5:55 and got kicked out a 6.

Hyperbollix

Aside from job losses obviously, the only downside to Halfords going would be the Sunday opening. Car parts and accessories are strictly a Monday to Friday business with half day on Saturday for most motorfactors, so Halfords is good if you need something at the weekend.

Was never gone on them though. Always found them overpriced. Anything branded they sell is massively marked up compared to what you'd pay elsewhere in physical shops, never mind what you can get it for online. Always gave me the impression of milking a certain type of customer that want a supermarket experience as opposed to going into a dingy motorfactors where you can't browse but have to ask at the counter.

Buffman

Do people seriously think a business would deliberately remove itself from Google while actually still open? I think if Halfords were actually closing all stores removing themselves from Google wouldn't even be on the 'to-do' list.

If a business hasn't claimed ownership of itself on Google by doing the necessary admin, anyone can go in and edit it. It wouldn't be the first time some disgruntled person has messed with stuff on Google maps.

zg3409

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122092421#Comment_122092421

You can edit and report opening times yourself for review by Google staff. If you link to actual opening times they will correct it.

Anyway no stores are closing.

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122102860#Comment_122102860

It was the Halfords site I checked. I don't trust Google opening times.

SCOOP 64

So annoying that buying on line it won't let you choose what you want if it decides your car is incompatible with item, I know it's to stop people buying wrong product but they should have a ignore button and buy anyway.

Wanted Castrol 10w40 oil for my 98 astra G ,10% off online today, won't let me buy it , used same oil on that car for 17 years now 256000 miles.

Nigzcurran

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122103487#Comment_122103487

Can you not remove the astra from your account/profile?

SCOOP 64

You can change vehicles but then that would come up with a different oil , you can't just put in 10w40 in search and buy now

Spoke to customer services they said that's the way the on line system is set up ,it's to stop people buying products unsuitable for the car and recommended going into the store to buy, obviously discount won't apply as on line only.

Now I did put in other models of cars to see if 10w40 would come up as recommended so I could buy now, gave up after 4 attempts .

Don't remember having this problem before.

Neilw

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122103487#Comment_122103487

Of course you can, just deselect applicable to my vehicle.

Can filter by oil grade then.

SCOOP 64

No , don't see that on my phone,search 10w40, can't add to basket with out adding vehicle details.

https://www.halfords.ie/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/engine-oil/castrol-magnatec-10w40-a3-b4-oil-4-litre-918615.html

elperello

I'm just glad Halfords isn't closing in Ireland.

Neilw

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122104563#Comment_122104563

Issue is on your side so, the site works. Try a different device, the mobile version may have limitations.

SCOOP 64

Just as well it didn't work, just got a better deal off misterauto.

witnessmenow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122103487#Comment_122103487

I had similar with a 12v battery for my ioniq 38, I had to tell them I had the older model of the car before it would let me add it to the basket on my phone.