Cycle to work and misadvertised bike

neilmcl

All this just highlights the importance of going to a "proper", independant bike shop and getting "measure up" to the bike of your choice. I would never order a bike, let alone take one home that I'd never, at the very least, tried out for size.

molerat

Murtle wrote: »

Can you pay the extra for this one?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810707_categoryId_165710_langId_-1?cm_sp=Intelligent_Offer-_-Product_List_Zone_1-_-Blank&iozone=PLPz1

which says it is a 58cm.


As a 5' 1" lady 4cm is a huge difference!

No, it is Cycle To Work. HMRC regs forbid paying even 1p extra.

Murtle

stinky HMRC, in which case try taking it back to Halfords and requesting a refund or requesting Halfords provide the bike you ordered.

pizzahutdave

I found Halfords absolutely useless when I ordered my bike in store through the Cycle to Work Scheme. I asked the manager in store if they did the scheme, I then signed up to the scheme and waited patiently for the voucher. when it arrived, I went into Halfords to order my chosen bike and showed them the voucher. Next day, went in to collect the bike all made up and ready to go. I had to wheel the bike to the cashier desk at the front of the store without any adjustments or brief overview of the bike. Handed my voucher over and was told it's not part of their scheme and they couldn't accept the voucher (after they had filled out the voucher with their details) because it wouldn't scan through the till. I had to leave very angry and without a bike. I went to Cycle Surgery and got excellent service with a tryout in the car park. Top tip, only use Halfords if you need to buy a light bulb for your car on a sunday

unlocated

molerat wrote: »

Technically incorrect, the op purchased the bike from his employer and does not in fact have a contract with Halfords, the employer does as a B2B purchase. Very grey as far consumer legislation is concerned

Uh, I missed that bit.
it's B2B thing on this case. should go through employer then. (so complicated!)

Oldfatgrumpy

I live in Cambridge and to be fair the local Halfords served me very well getting a bike under this scheme, mind you I went into the branch first, found and test rode precisely the bike I wanted, then got them to reserve that actual bike while I got the paperwork sorted out.

Blitzwing85

This is exactly why I decided not to go through this scheme. The whole thing stinks to be honest.

I ended up buying 1 bike from a lad at work, sold me it half price hardly used for £400. Bargain. It's been brilliant. 2nd bike I ordered from Pauls cycles online. On sale from £750 to £430 due to being a 2009 model - when the only difference was the paint job.

Is there no way you can simply cancel the scheme and just buy a bike another way?
When I read al lthe small print it sounded too constricting for my liking, and the savings are far less than the discounts stores give you anyway and what you can save buying used. They should scrap it, or at least make it more simple from r legal rights point of view etc.

Also, my local Halfords know sod all about bike sizing. Took my partner in and they recommended her 2" larger size than I have, and she's 1/2 a foot shorter than me. Mine is perfect size. They said 20" frame, and I got her a 16" frame which is exactly right. Also, they advize women to buy a womens bike - which is not a good idea IMO.

molerat

unlocated wrote: »

Uh, I missed that bit.
it's B2B thing on this case. should go through employer then. (so complicated!)

No, take it up with Halfords but technically, as far as consumer law is concerned, you did not buy the bike from them your company did so don't go shouting SOGA etc.

Benergy

molerat wrote: »

The TDF large is described as 58cm, M is 54cm. The Virtuoso and Vanquish large is 54cm, M is 51cm Some bikes now have an extended seat tube and the manufacturers spec measures from the top of that. The correct size bike for you is the one that fits, the size on the label is only a very rough guide at best.

And this is why it is soooo important to ride a bike in store first before you buy. I enter a few triathlons a year and having a bike that is the perfect size makes a big difference.