Halfords, don't be so blind!

[Alan Braggins]

Helen Deborah Vecht <[email protected]> writes:
> Having long fair hair and smooth skin seems to be licence for the blokes to spout nothing but
> pure, natural BS.

Doesn't sound like my local Halfords. They seem to be reasonably helpful people (though I've never
asked them for technical advice, and I'm not female), some of them female, some of the men with
short dark hair and spots.

 

[Al Ford]

> Problem I find with Halfords is that if you want a MTB or basic kids' bike, or shopper type - it's
> fine, but for a "proper" road bike, be it racing, touring, audax, it isn't of any use. It is
> excellent for a good range of helmets
>
> Cheers, helen s
>

Cheers Helen Tiz Phones4U that I am going to.

The piece I've snipped on your post is why Halfords fails to alter perceptions. They do some very
nice road stuff across the board. Brands include Dawes for your Audax/Touring stuff. Airbourne,
Fort, Tifosi, GT are all proper road bikes, there are other who I can't think of with my work
head off lol

Greg

 

[Simon Mason]

[email protected] (Al Ford) wrote in message
>
> Halfords can get more componentry than the majority of LBS in the UK.

... and they open later than bike shops. Also, I bought my Raleigh Pioneer Trail there 3 years ago
and I still ride it every day.

http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/raleigh.jpg

--
Simon Mason Anlaby, East Yorkshire. 53°44'N 0°26'W http://www.simonmason.karoo.net

 

[Al Ford]

> Not in my local Halfords they don't - there's the two hmmm... Carrera(?) models and in the in
> store catalogue the odd Raleigh road bike, but the rest are all mountain bike type things, kids'
> bikes, shopper type things. Honest guv
>
> Cheers, helen s

They can order them all in, normally 48hr delivery, or if you threaten to walk out they'll get it
done on a next day courier which they'll pay for!

One of my lads has ordered today :

Ultegra Gruppo Mavic Kyseriums SSL ITM Millenium Stem

and he recently purchased :

XTR Gruppo Pair of Shimano 16spoke Deore Wheels.

I'm going to order some Campag Sciroccos before I leave

That's my whole point HO do not advertise as they should. Go in and ask the staff to show you the
parts available on their computer, it'll make your nose bleed (considering it's Halfords)

I'm as cynical as they come about the place - I turned down Halfords for work experience many years
back because I wanted to go to a proper bike shop. It's only in the past 2 years or so that I've
purchased stuff for myself from there as they really have changed.

If you need any shimano spare part at all they can get everything virtually through to 1992 - make
sure you speak to the cycle staff though!

Greg

 

[David Hansen]

On 25 Feb 2003 10:06:50 GMT someone who may be [email protected]
(wafflycathcsdirtycatlitter) wrote this:-

>Mind you, a lot of the cycling press is geared towards men and ignore a lot of women in cycling and
>readership. Also ignore the needs of the female rider as regards clothing, equipment... as compared
>to the male rider.

Even those bits that are not geared towards a macho image can fail to reach a female audience. A
to B magazine was pondering this a year or two ago. One result was a few couples changing the
first named person on the subscription. Open Road also pondered this before they were shut down
by the bank.

It is something that is also pondered by a number of organisations I am involved in.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked
keys, unless the UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

 

[David Hansen]

On 25 Feb 2003 01:57:16 -0800 someone who may be [email protected] (Myra VanInwegen) wrote this:-

>It is a real shame that this seems to happen so frequently. They ought to realize that women are
>half of their potential customers, and pay more attention to them...

The good ones appreciate that women are not accessories for some man. The bad ones will eventually
go out of business.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked
keys, unless the UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

 

[Patrick Herring]

Myra VanInwegen wrote:
>
> [email protected] (wafflycathcsdirtycatlitter) wrote
> > It's also near a LBS where I now will not go in because, as a woman, I am ignored. Sad but all
> > too true on too many an occasion in there.
>
> I have heard of many women who have that problem with shops. I have never felt that, probably
> because I have very specific needs when I go into a shop (I need spokes to go with this rim & hub;
> I need a straight aluminum handlebar; I need a British Standard rear LED light) and they pretty
> soon realize that I know exactly what I'm talking about.

I've felt distinctly sneered at in a LBS because I had obviously cycled to the shop but wasn't
wearing proper racing gear, and I didn't know exactly what I wanted. So I tended to go to the local
Halfords instead since I could at least look at the stock without being molested by a salesdroid.

--
Patrick Herring http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/cgi-bin/makeperson?P.Herring

 

[905]

>Mind you, a lot of the cycling press is geared towards men and ignore
a
>lot of women in cycling and readership.

It isn't only women who are largely ignored - if you're not really into cycling-as-sport, or
mountainbiking, or the technical aspects of it all, than you're pretty much out of luck, too.

 

[James Hodson]

On Tue, 25 Feb 2003 11:37:52 -0000, "Dave" <[email protected]> wrote:

>personally I try LBS first and Halfords second. They have their uses, Sunday / late night opening
>etc.I trust the Superstore client-base out there is sufficient to keep Halfords shareholders
>satisfied without my help ;-)
>

I too choose my LBS first. They don't mind if I just pop in for a chat (and at times a coffee/red
wine). They know what they have in stock and how long it will take to get hold of an item they don't
currently hold it.

However, as you state, Dave, Halfords is good for an emergency out-of-hour purchase.

And they send me Christmas cards

James

--
A credit limit is NOT a target.

 

[James Hodson]

On 26 Feb 2003 15:32:36 GMT, [email protected] (wafflycathcsdirtycatlitter) wrote:

>>And they send me Christmas cards
>
>Hey! Not fair! They don't send me ones!
>

Why should my LBS send you a card? They're not a charity, you know.

James

--
A credit limit is NOT a target.

 

[Tony Raven]

wafflycathcsdirtycatlitter <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> Car dealerships are bad too. Last year, when Vernon & I were looking to change the car, the
> number of palces we went to where I, the mere woman, was ignored. Again, we didn't buy from any
> of those places!
>

Get Vernon to try the approach to recalictrant shops used by Richard Gere in Pretty Woman.

Tony

--
http://www.raven-family.com

"I don't want any yes-men around me. I want everybody to tell me the truth even if it costs them
their job."

Samuel Goldwyn

 

[Tony Raven]

wafflycathcsdirtycatlitter <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> nor does Vernon's credit card limit stretch to that of Richard Gere's.

Yes but they don't know that do they?

Tony

--
http://www.raven-family.com

"I don't want any yes-men around me. I want everybody to tell me the truth even if it costs them
their job."

Samuel Goldwyn

 

[Tony Raven]

wafflycathcsdirtycatlitter <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Yes but they don't know that do they?
>>
>> Tony
>
> But they would when the card was swiped and the machine blew up from overload
>

You really don't have the hang of this do you. "My friend is interested in spending an obscene
amount of money on some bikes so lets see you do lots of slavish grovelling for her please" (in best
Richard Gere accent.)

Get them to get the Colnago down, plenty of fussing over getting the saddle changed and positioned
just right for the test ride, ditto lots of other expensive bikes. While they are fussing, get them
to get out the bits you really want and some you don't. Finally announce you want to try a Litespeed
or two before you make the final decision (which of course they don't stock) so buy bits you really
wanted, pay out of wodge of ten pound notes (actually two plus lots of sheets of plain paper but
they can't see that). Leave shop saying you'll be back. Worth at least three or more "can't make my
mind up" trips before the fussy customer routine starts to wear thin with them.

Now get out there and have fun

Tony ;-)

--
http://www.raven-family.com

"I don't want any yes-men around me. I want everybody to tell me the truth even if it costs them
their job."

Samuel Goldwyn

 

[Mr R@T \ -Lsqco]

In news:[email protected], Just zis Guy, you know?
<[email protected]> typed:

> For my part that's based on the fact that Halfords in my home town undercut and killed off most of
> the small bike shops (and small car parts shops)

This *is* a dilemma; but I must say I haven't noticed this in Reading where bike shops and Halfords
seem to co-exist quite well; nor have I noticed any élitism from the specialist shops (although one
tends to attract the younger crowd and is slightly more male-dominated).

[Guy, perhaps your home town *isn't* Reading?]

> If my local branch was like that I would probably shop there. As far as I can tell we have: 1
> spotty youth with a bad attitude 1 slightly less spotty youth with a bad attitude

These have been replaced with a couple of youths with slightly better attitude (although it may also
be because I know one of the lads there from when I used to go to raves!) [I saw him and his mates
at one party and they were dancing around an MTB with its LED's on]. They seem helpful enough, but
of course they don't have as much specialist bike knowledge as an LBS, nor would I expect them to.

It does also seem that Halfords win on the diversity stakes as there are also a couple of ladies
working there (more mature ones), yet I haven't seen many female LBS workers...

But I agree with the concerns re undercutting etc. Of course Halfords can get more parts from Mr
Shimano than the LBS, its a large corporate with *far* more clout and buying power!

At least in Reading it appears the competition keeps prices keen and *everyones* eye on the
customer service ball, yet there seems to be enough business for everybody. I still *prefer* an LBS
when I have time to browse, or for specialist items; but sometimes I am in a hurry and Halfords can
be quicker.

Alex

 

[Danny Colyer]

Mr R@t wrote:
> I haven't seen many female LBS workers...

There used to be an attractive, knowledgeable and helpful blonde working at Avon Valley Cyclery.
Haven't seen her for a while though.

--
Danny Colyer (remove safety to reply) ( http://www.juggler.net/danny ) Recumbent cycle page:
http://www.speedy5.freeserve.co.uk/recumbents/ "He who dares not offend cannot be honest." -
Thomas Paine

 

[ecce_ecce]

Halfords - hummmmmm

I have good experiences and bad experiences in my Halfords.

One day it will be good the next day really bad


I think Halfords, along with PC world, Currys, Commet, BQ,Homebase the ULTIMATE reason for poor performance is :

The Paying peanuts and Monkey scenario - full stop.

Good experience in Halfords: Giro Helmet (very good lid ) £49 - absolute bargain - although the velcro pads in the top have pulled off - Quality issue

Bad experience in Halfords : I asked a typical employee (spotty, 16 years old, scruffy) how much the tub of bike grease I had in my hand cost.

Employee looked at the tub (and very intelligently) exclaimed that the tub of grease was bike grease.

Yeahr I know, I just need to Know how much it costs, please.

I don't work in this department.

But you're standing in this department now.

Yeahr, John just asked me to cover for him, I usually work in the windscreen wiper department ( what the hell !!!).

Well can you find someone to help me ?

No

I could not believe it !!!!!

Needless to say I ended up bollocking the store manager ( who happened to be a mid 30 year old greasy looking guy)


It would interesting for the original poster Al Ford to post the wages of employees at halfords - seeing as your leaving Like?

Then I could see if my monkey, peanut & pay theory is true.

How much do managers take home?

 

[Just Zis Guy]

On Thu, 27 Feb 2003 19:44:54 -0000, "Mr R@t \(2.3 zulu-alpha\) [comms room 2]"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>[Guy, perhaps your home town *isn't* Reading?]

Curses, discovered! I live in Reading but have always thought of St Albans as my home town.

>> If my local branch was like that I would probably shop there. As far as I can tell we have: 1
>> spotty youth with a bad attitude 1 slightly less spotty youth with a bad attitude

>These have been replaced with a couple of youths with slightly better attitude (although it may
>also be because I know one of the lads there from when I used to go to raves!)

Heh! I find that the boys at AW are getting to be rather helpful these days - partly because one
change of chain is enough to fund Andy's next holiday in the Bahamas...

>It does also seem that Halfords win on the diversity stakes as there are also a couple of ladies
>working there (more mature ones), yet I haven't seen many female LBS workers...

AW Cycles have Sue, who is tremendously efficient at ordering "stuff."

>At least in Reading it appears the competition keeps prices keen and *everyones* eye on the
>customer service ball, yet there seems to be enough business for everybody. I still *prefer* an LBS
>when I have time to browse, or for specialist items; but sometimes I am in a hurry and Halfords can
>be quicker.

TBH it's only ten minutes' walk[1] from here to AW anyway, so I have little incentive to go
elsewhere.

[1] See - a cyclist! Anyone else would drive such a huge distance

Guy
===
** WARNING ** This posting may contain traces of irony. http://www.chapmancentral.com (BT ADSL and
dynamic DNS permitting)
NOTE: BT Openworld have now blocked port 25 (without notice), so old mail addresses may no longer
work. Apologies.

 

[Al Ford]

> Needless to say I ended up bollocking the store manager ( who happened to be a mid 30 year old
> greasy looking guy)
>
>
> It would interesting for the original poster Al Ford to post the wages of employees at halfords -
> seeing as your leaving Like?
>
> Then I could see if my monkey, peanut & pay theory is true.
>
> How much do managers take home?

Not a problem my friend.

Basic Part-time/full-time pay is £4.46 Supervisors (ie Department Managers) is £9,000 - £15,000
for the bike section depends on store turnover. Bike Specialists £12,000+ depending on
experience etc....

Store managers earn from £19,000 upwards. But most are on £25,000 plus

Now some store managers reward their staff on performance - so you could feasibly have a part-time
kid on upto £5.50 per hour. Personally I earned £12,000 runnning a department that sold approx 3,000
bikes per year.

It sounds like you ran into a demotivated kid who is in it for the money with no pride in their job.
It's getting harder and harder to manage the younger people nowadays. Very few have any level of
self-motivation and fewer still give a damn.

There are many good people in Halfords you just have to find them. Each cycle department does have
at least one "shining star" - befriend him/her.

What did the manager have to say for himself?