Halfords Carrera Bike

bribarty

Hi, I bought a Carrera Crossfire 3 from Halfords at the end of March this year, since then the front wheel has
collapsed (which they replaced) but now the paint has started to bubble in 2 places and a spoke has broken on the rear wheel. They have said they will fix the spoke and the buckle caused by the broken spoke but not for 12 days and i am not to ride it until then (this is my only form of transport to/from work!) and they will put a sticker over the paint patches!

There are 2 things -

1- on the website they state if they cant fix it whilst I wait they will provide a quote within 24 hours and the repair within 48 hours (depending on parts)

2- would I be able to ask them to exchange the bike (which they do have in stock) instead of the fixes that they propose especially the paint as I do not feel that this is an approprite repair.:mad:

arcon5

1 -
you're claiming a repair under warranty I assume? this line sounds like it is offered to new, paying customers.. hence the 'quote' bit. You need to check your warranty for time periods relating to you.

2 -
yes. They can reject it though if the cost is disproportionate to another remedy ie. a repair.

bribarty

Thanks for your reply

1- ok I cant find any details of repair times for warranty repairs.

2- is putting a sticker over the bubbling paint seen as a repair?

fred7777

bribarty wrote: »

1- ok I cant find any details of repair times for warranty repairs.
2- is putting a sticker over the bubbling paint seen as a repair?

1. It doesn't really matter as it would not doubt have a similar caveat "depending on parts" and they would probably tell you that the 12 day delay is because of parts.

2. They are obviously saying it is but most people would probably say no. I can't imagine a car dealer getting away with putting a sticker over bubbling paint.

Looking at the price on the web (over £400) I would have expected the bike to be a lot more robust and last a lot longer. My current bike is similar, cost £350 in 2009 and has so far done over 3k miles to and from work over the past few years.

bribarty

Thanks fred7777.

I am going to take the bike back to Halfords and find a manager who I can press for either a replacement or my money back due to the frame/paint issue as I don't want to find that in the future more paint is bubbling.

If it was just the issue with the rear wheel I would be happy with a repair, but I feel that either an exchange or full refund is in order. let me know if you agree.

fred7777

bribarty wrote: »

Thanks fred7777.
If it was just the issue with the rear wheel I would be happy with a repair, but I feel that either an exchange or full refund is in order. let me know if you agree.

It's exactly what I would do, however I would expect to have a fight on my hands.

The best thing to focus on may be the paint as it's not something that could easily or cheaply be fixed at a Halfords store so it's more likely they would replace of refund for this than for something like a wheel which is an easy repair.

Jimx26

I agree, take it in and speak to a manager.

I had a similar issue with a £1k Boardman. I had already had 2 replacements due to dents in the frame from transit and 8 weeks later the cranks started grinding, this was 'repaired' by the mechanic/spotty oik but they had not put the cranks back on correctly and it was even worse. I went back the following day seething and spoke to a manager and calmly asked for a replacement but they had none in stock asked for a refund instead and to my surprise he agreed and said couldn't argue with me considering the grief I had with it.:beer:

bribarty

I have spoken to the store manager who has agreed there is a fault however he has to speak to HO to find out if it is going to be a new frame or new bike! .

bribarty

Finally sorted - they did want to replace just the frame but they can't get one untill December! and with the work involved in swaping all the parts they have offered me a replacement. Lets just hope this next one is better built.

Jimx26

Excellent, glad you got a good result!

zaax

1.Wouldn't touch Halfords with a barge pole for bikes. Go to you local dealer or one of the bike only franchise like Evans Cycles