Returning a bike to Halfords

gordikin

arcon5 wrote: »

My post was meant with sarcasm, although since MSE doesn't have a sarcasm smilie, was hoping the wink would be sufficient. Seems I was wrong

I have introduced my body to alcohol as a bed time treatl...excuse moi

gordikin

vax2002 wrote: »

The bike I bought from halfords set up by the expert, well the handlebars pulled out, the whole lot, which was fun when riding down the hill at 20 mph.

Quoted for the nonsense that it is!

neilmcl

damsmi2002 wrote: »

Hi there, I used to work at Halfords and as a rule once a bike had been taken, as soon as it wad ridden we would not exchange/refund the bike as it couldn't have been sold as new. The problems you mention are quick fixes, unless of corse you bought their entry level, cheap brand if bike called trax, if thus is the case you simply cannot expect any decent quality for the price you paid.
Regarding the test ride no store would ever offer one on two grounds, firstly h&s, secondly what happens if on the ride you damage the bike? They would be left with a nackered bike. Imagine the thousands of customers each week who would push for test rides, the amount of damaged bikes would be ridiculous!
They have bikes on display for a reason, you get a feel for the quality of the bike before you buy it. It would feel cheap and nasty in a shop just like it dies on your drive, so there us no cause for refund there.
Lastly, appeal to their better nature, you have made a mistake, it's not their fault, explain that you do need a bike but really are not satisfied with the quality of the one purchased. Offer to trade up to the next brand, and pay the difference, they may do it, they may not. They certainly don't have to, so act nicely(you cone across decently on here so have no doubt you would instore) and see what happens!

You're obviously only referring to Halfords stores I assume. Most reputable bike stores are more then willing to offer test rides. I guess you pays your money......

Padz_2

I had a test ride on a Halfrauds bike once but it was 20 years ago.

damsmi2002

The point with the test rides is that a independent/local bike shop will be charging at least £400 odd for a bike, which is still a cheap price, if you were looking at some of their higher end stuff for around £1000+ you would expect a test ride, and my local one offers them and they will come with you too. However, given the op's reasons for not liking the bike, although unconfirmed, would suggest that an entry level bike has been bought similar to a bike in a box, and therefore you cannot expect a test ride to be offered to every single customer who shows an intrest in any bike, maybe the top end ones, whereby usually there is a turbo trainer to try them out, but not a basic run of the mill bike, which clearly for the price isn't going to be much use.
It would be nice for the op to confirm what bike they did actually buy though, so at least we know what expectations they may have had about it

bigpound

Unless there is faults with it, this is the equivalent of trying to return products to a clothes shop with the excuse 'they don't suit me'. It's the stores discretion if they want to do anything.

cardinalbiggles

Padz wrote: »

I had a test ride on a Halfrauds bike once but it was 20 years ago.

I call them Halfrauds too but in reality I have an oldish Carrerra MB that I picked up second hand and its been excellent, I was tempted recently to get hold of a Carrerra Fury that get great reviews, I would however be setting them up myself.

Most of the bikes in Halfrauds are excellent, I guess its just the people who put them together who are often at fault.

ps I should add that the really cheap bikes look dangerous to me...

custardy

cardinalbiggles wrote: »

I call them Halfrauds too but in reality I have an oldish Carrerra MB that I picked up second hand and its been excellent, I was tempted recently to get hold of a Carrerra Fury that get great reviews, I would however be setting them up myself.

Most of the bikes in Halfrauds are excellent, I guess its just the people who put them together who are often at fault.

ps I should add that the really cheap bikes look dangerous to me...

The Fury is a good bike
however mine died after developing a crack in the seat tube
right at the weld where they fit the support bracket

I got a boardman recently (cheap deal through C2W)
very nice bike
however the Halfords service/build was as poor as it expected