Free winter health check at Halfords

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/AdviceArticleDisplay?articleId=1042801&catalogId=21202&categoryId=292528&cm_mmc=E-Mail-_-WK34FWC-_-Main-_-Banner_AUT&langId=-1&mi_u=%7B(halurn)%7D&storeId=10001

With a Halfords car health check we look at 5 things:

The battery

Light bulbs

Windscreen wipers

oil level

screen wash level

is it me..... there must be some real numpties out there if they can't/don't do this regularly themselves.

Free winter health check at Halfords

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/AdviceArticleDisplay?articleId=1042801&catalogId=21202&categoryId=292528&cm_mmc=E-Mail-_-WK34FWC-_-Main-_-Banner_AUT&langId=-1&mi_u=%7B(halurn)%7D&storeId=10001

With a Halfords car health check we look at 5 things:

The battery

Light bulbs

Windscreen wipers

oil level

screen wash level

is it me..... there must be some real numpties out there if they can't/don't do this regularly themselves.

I had some young lady come in wanting some washer fluid topped up, it led on to me seeing an eml, plugging diagnostics in and diagnosing the issue. Repaired the same day, that's where the money these things are as we can find the hidden issues.

Halfords are thinking exactly the same as the OP.

 

It is likely that someone signing up for the free health check will be the same sort of person to blindly agree to the unecessary repairs that Halfords recommend to cover the cost of the initial check and of course make additional money.

They're doing a half price MOT. Good idea or avoid ?

I had my car done on the half price MOT by Halfords without any problems.  If it's the shop and not the Auto Centres doing this check, does that mean that non working headlamp bulbs will get replaced by out of focus, dazzling, incorrectly fitted headlamp bulbs?

The thing is, I keep trying to check my brake lights, but they switch off every time I go to look if they are working..

it's funny how thier free safety check is all the stuff they sell isn't it? I had to buy a pair of wiper blades in there the other day, no choice on a Sunday, £30 odd quid I've never felt so violated in my entire life, I guess that's why they manage to stay alive in th urgent climate, fleecing 17 year old girls with ka's out of £80 for a £40 battery.

I only go to Halfords for cleaning stuff. Everything else I go to VASS Tech.

Halfords offer convienience and choice. Long opening hours and everything you need under one roof.

 

Of course this comes at a price. The ticket price you pay.

 

As long as you walk through the door knowing it is unlikely you are going to get the best price then all is good.

The thing is, I keep trying to check my brake lights, but they switch off every time I go to look if they are working..

it's funny how thier free safety check is all the stuff they sell isn't it? I had to buy a pair of wiper blades in there the other day, no choice on a Sunday, £30 odd quid I've never felt so violated in my entire life, I guess that's why they manage to stay alive in th urgent climate, fleecing 17 year old girls with ka's out of £80 for a £40 battery.

They are a complete rip off.

I went in for a standard h7 bulb for my mums polo.

£10 was the cheapest one.

Speaking to the guy that worked there about how shockingly expensive it is, and he told me about the trade card. Reckoned it would cost about £1 if i had one of those.

Unfortunately being a plumber doesnt qualify me (cant understand why ) so i went elsewhere n got one for £5

It did tell me though, that atleast £9 is pure profit. And abit more too.

They are a complete rip off.

I went in for a standard h7 bulb for my mums polo.

£10 was the cheapest one.

Speaking to the guy that worked there about how shockingly expensive it is, and he told me about the trade card. Reckoned it would cost about £1 if i had one of those.

Unfortunately being a plumber doesnt qualify me (cant understand why ) so i went elsewhere n got one for £5

It did tell me though, that atleast £9 is pure profit. And abit more too.

He's fairly accurate with that, get a weeks employment in a garage and get one.

He's fairly accurate with that, get a weeks employment in a garage and get one.

If thats their game, Id just rather take my business elsewhere tbh

The thing is, I keep trying to check my brake lights, but they switch off every time I go to look if they are working..

it's funny how thier free safety check is all the stuff they sell isn't it? I had to buy a pair of wiper blades in there the other day, no choice on a Sunday, £30 odd quid I've never felt so violated in my entire life, I guess that's why they manage to stay alive in th urgent climate, fleecing 17 year old girls with ka's out of £80 for a £40 battery.

How don't you have a trade card for there?? 

Only need a business card or letterhead last time I checked. 

Yeah I did think about getting one, but tbh there is a very good motor factors right next door to my local halfords and they will deliver for free too which wins my custom.

As much as it may seem a con or at the very least a nice little earner for Halfords, to most of us on here. The simple fact is we are in a minority. There are articles in the media/ car magazines most weeks stating very few people carry out these checks or even know how to conduct them.

If these surveys are correct, from a business point of view, Halfords would be missing out on a very lucrative business opportunity with minimum outlay.

Fin

How don't you have a trade card for there??

Only need a business card or letterhead last time I checked.

Apparently if your letter head says 'plumbing and heating' you have to either get ripped off or take your business elsewhere.

I chose for the latter.

is it me..... there must be some real numpties out there if they can't/don't do this regularly themselves.

 

There are some real numpties working at Halfords too:

 

the stereo fitter who thought he'd a bad batch of pioneer DABs and after 2 hours mucking about with it offered to fit me something else instead -

 

He couldn't work out how to tune it in!!

 

he said "thats the third one of those I've fitted and repalced - I thought they were all knackered"

 

I was tempted to pay the £6.99 for a fog light bulb change on the punto though.  I thought it would be entertaining to watch them dismantle the whole front and reassemble it at that price...