Halfords Bike Not fit for Purpose

newleaf07

Hi
In true MSE style, I wanted to save money by cycling to work, so I waslucky enough to be given money for christmas which I put towards a bike and a child bike seat for my son. (my sons nursery is opposite my work)

Now when I picked up the bike,the child seat was faulty so I waited for them to replace it, when they finally did about 10 days ago, they gave me a free upgrade to the 59.99 one.

Now tonight as the weatherlooked OK for tomorrow, I tried to put the new child seat on the bike and it doesnt fit. The bike is too small, I opted for a 16 inch as I am short (in hindsight should have gone for 18).

Now when I purchased the bike on boxing day, I told the sales assistant my requirements, ie a bike I could use to work with a child seat.

I have had the bike for over 28 days, it is not faulty. The only problem is I cant use it, so I need a bigger bike.

Where do I stand, can I go in tomorrow and say that this is not fit for my requirements. It was obvious that I wanted the combination to work as I purchased the bike and child seat on the same day. If I have no child seat the bike is worthless, and I want/need a bike.

What can I do? Thanks for reading sorry about thelong post x

scaldyflash

I would take it back in, explain, apologise for the lateness and grovel. IF that doesn't work then try the "I know my rights" angle. But to be honest in all my dealings with Halfords I don't believe I've ever had a problem taking something back. they are usually very helpful. HTH

manda1205

We went to halfords to get a bike for my OH so he could have our dd on the back in a seat (which we already have). We asked a member of staff for one that would take the seat(and in our price bracket), he told us none of them would because of the gear cable running along the arm that takes the seat and that not to worry as it was coming up to winter we didn't need a bike anyway!! So we still have no bike. IMO they're useless and I would go in and demand they give you another bike as their sales team are s***!!! Rant over! he he he

must-resist-ebay

Hi, I used to work for Halfords several years ago and if you go in without an attitude they will normally do everything they can to help, if the person you initially talk to isn't being helpful ask to speak to the manager.
Did you actually try the bike for size when you bought it? I only ask because if the 16" is the correct size bike then trying to ride a bigger one will not be very safe, when you have a child seat on the extra weight really affects the handling of the bike, infact I used to recommend that people dropped their saddle slightly for a few rides until they got used to it which you won't be able to do if the bike is too large.
Personally I would never use one myself, and will be buying a trailer the next time I see them cheap on ebay.

andykolo

they sold me 2 dodgy bikes in 2 years and did a botched job of the repairs so im going to a good old fashioned bike shop next time

ScoobyZ

I used to work there to for 16 years and was a manager of one of their superstores. They have a good customer service, but the problem was the people using them did little or no research and an equally amount of maintenance on their bikes and wondered why they went wrong.

newleaf07

Thanks guys,I went in first thing this morning with bike and seat and grovelled and they swapped it, I ended up with a 19inch mans bike. I too was abit worried about the seat, but with doing a lot of camping I thought it would be handy for summer. I want to cycle to work, and luckily I dont have to go on roads exept for the last little bit. We will see!
Thanks for your advice, I ampleased they swapped and with the seat right down it is OK to ride for me. I was however dissapointed that the sales staff never pointed this out initially, thats why they changed it I think.
Anyway enough rambling from me.
Thanks again guys. x
By the way with regards to maintenance my lovely husband is fully into his bike and will take care of it for me.

mcwarre

newleaf07 wrote:

By the way with regards to maintenance my lovely husband is fully into his bike and will take care of it for me.

WHat about your bike???