Good old Halfrauds

Raistlin · July 4, 2015

I ordered a couple of items via the Halfrauds web site today. Went through all the procedure of checking where my local store was and up it came with a reference number and an assurance that my items would be ready for collection in an hour. Before you throw up your hands in horror, i hasten to add, nothing for fitment to the car of course, merely some cans of Lithium grease.

I'm not keen on going to Halfrauds at the best of times but at the weekends it is even worse, trying to thread your way through the hoards of wannabe boy racers to a place where you can keep an eye on the car in case they put their grubby mitts on it.

Must admit though it was amusing to hear how their blinged up roller skates would walk all over the S Type In fact, one particularly learned kiddy came out with "stands to reason dunnit? my exhaust is bigger than both of those on that thing" He was partially correct, of course. His exhaust was so big, the only thing bigger was his ego and his gob

Anyway, I digress. I handed the assistant the printout with my reference number on it and she disappeared for 5 minutes, returning and stating that they had none of the items apparently set aside for me. I questioned this, reminding her of the online procedure where they confirm stock at the desired location.

She had the answer though:- "Oh they always say that. They never actually do a stock check. It's just a way of getting customers into the store in the hope they'll buy more than they intended."

I have applied to Halfrauds for compensation for my complete and utter waste of time, effort and fuel.

Old Peter · July 4, 2015

But the boy racers were good entertainment, though, Paul!

jampot · July 5, 2015

I went into Halfords to pick up a socket set I orderd, I went to the front till and gave them my reference number, I was told to go to the parts desk at the rear of the store, 20 minutes I stood there, then a lad came out from the back and I said I have come after my socket set, showed him my number, after 5 minutes looking I was told it was on the front desk, back I go and said Tin Tin back there said its here, eeerrrrr sorry mate , yea it is, you better keep it mate.

Old Peter · July 5, 2015

I have used click and collect at Argos, and they confirm that the item is is stock or will be there the next day at a given time.

I would not collect if I didn't get confirmation, as the experiences of others has taught me a bit.

Peter.

the guardian · July 6, 2015

i ve never had a problem with my local branch. ( must be lucky ) ;) :) :) even gave me extra discount when my club discount card wouldn't work.

Raistlin · July 6, 2015

I don't have a problem with the local branch Ron, apart from the wannabee boy racers.

My concern is the tactics employed by their management to get people into their stores.

Old Peter · July 6, 2015

Something you might know know about Halfords is how prices can vary from store to store.

I bought some Wynnes EGR cleaner from their Lichfield store and it was about 75p cheaper than the Sutton Coldfield store. The purchases were just two days apart.

They say that Sutton Coldfield is more affluent than Lichfield!

Peter.

jampot · July 6, 2015

I went to Halfords one day in my 330 bhp Sierra Cosworth and a boy racer said " its only a Sierra, my dad had one and it was crap, he said a good Saxo would give it a run for its money.

the guardian · July 7, 2015

what noddy land do these little boys live in, they will be seeing lar la & Poo next or Mr Ben he believes in magic as well :D :D :D :) :) :)

Ron

Raistlin · July 8, 2015

It appears that my local store don't know their own stocks. Apparently, the items I ordered have been found.

I've just had an e-mail from Halfrauds offering me the items I requested free of charge plus a £25 token for the inconvenience.

It pays to complain :)

Old Peter · July 8, 2015

If someone gets it wrong, I always point it out to them.

I once got a packet of cream biscuits [3 biscuits] in which the cream had been omitted. I wrote to the company in Edinburg asking them to put the cream in, and got a large box of biscuits - about 3lbs in return.

That was good but it didn't beat the 8 tins of sardines I got from Norway for complaining to the Company in Norway that the key to open the sardines, which I returned didn't have a slot in it. All I asked for was for them to put a slot in the key and return it!

Peter.

the guardian · July 8, 2015

It appears that my local store don't know their own stocks. Apparently, the items I ordered have been found.
I've just had an e-mail from Halfrauds offering me the items I requested free of charge plus a £25 token for the inconvenience.
It pays to complain :)

did you email their head office or the local store Paul

Raistlin · July 8, 2015

Customer support on their website Ron.

the guardian · July 9, 2015

Customer support on their website Ron.

ok thanks for the info

Ron

Phil58 · July 9, 2015

If someone gets it wrong, I always point it out to them.
I once got a packet of cream biscuits [3 biscuits] in which the cream had been omitted. I wrote to the company in Edinburg asking them to put the cream in, and got a large box of biscuits - about 3lbs in return.
That was good but it didn't beat the 8 tins of sardines I got from Norway for complaining to the Company in Norway that the key to open the sardines, which I returned didn't have a slot in it. All I asked for was for them to put a slot in the key and return it!
Peter.