Halfords - is this correct, and if yes, legal?

Brass_Swan_Neck

As mine is well-worn, I bought an alternator on Halfords' website and collected it from a nearby Halfords store (Washington). The part was branded and competively priced, plus I get a 20% discount for having a membership card - so far so good.

When I asked about fitting it, they said they couldn't there, but it could be installed at the nearby Autocentre (garage) in Concorde a mile or so away. However, they then told me that as well as labour costs for the installation, I would have to pay for the part a SECOND TIME there, as "they're not allowed to fit parts bought from other companies". They told me that all parts purchased away from the Autocentre are added to the labour cost, even though the customer already owns them and Halfords provides nothing (in this case, the component cost £204.60). I pointed out that I was actually in a Halfords branch buying the part, and they told me that Halfords Autocentres are a different, separate company, and that a part bought at a Halfords store is not regarded as a Halfords purchase by a Halfords Autocentre!!! I asked Halfords about this via social media, but my comments seem to have been removed. It would be interesting to investigate the accuracy and indeed legality of this!

My faith in Halfords is already strained, as last year I took my car in with a slow pressure leak in one tyre (it was losing about 10psi a week and I had to keep reinflating it). After a couple of hours they told me it was a fitting issue which they had fixed. A week later it was still leeching pressure and when I took it back in, this time they told me that the mechanic had made a note that they couldn't remove the wheel as I hadn't taken along my locking nut adapter. Imagine their faces when I pointed out that my car didn't have locking wheel nuts, and so it was clear nobody had even looked. The problem turned out to be a screw on the inside edge of the tyre, which could have led eventually to something quite dangerous.

sheslookinhot

If your faith in Halfords is “strained” take it to a local garage for fitting.

BoGoF

Whether it's correct or not doesn't really matter if that's their policy and you can't make them fit it if that is their policy.

You got it at a good price? Take it elsewhere to be fitted.

Car_54

BoGoF said:

Whether it's correct or not doesn't really matter if that's their policy and you can't make them fit it if that is their policy.

You got it at a good price? Take it elsewhere to be fitted.

But many garages refuse to fit parts they haven't supplied, to avoid any potential arguments about liability if a part fails.

BoGoF

Car_54 said:

BoGoF said:

Whether it's correct or not doesn't really matter if that's their policy and you can't make them fit it if that is their policy.

You got it at a good price? Take it elsewhere to be fitted.

But many garages refuse to fit parts they haven't supplied, to avoid any potential arguments about liability if a part fails.

It's "branded" - whatever that means.

And there are plenty garages happy to fit supplied parts as well. If Halford's aren't going to budge (and I would say it's a blessing in disguise) then what choice does the OP have other than find someone else to fit it.

Car_54

BoGoF said:

Car_54 said:

BoGoF said:

Whether it's correct or not doesn't really matter if that's their policy and you can't make them fit it if that is their policy.

You got it at a good price? Take it elsewhere to be fitted.

But many garages refuse to fit parts they haven't supplied, to avoid any potential arguments about liability if a part fails.

It's "branded" - whatever that means.

And there are plenty garages happy to fit supplied parts as well. If Halford's aren't going to budge (and I would say it's a blessing in disguise) then what choice does the OP have other than find someone else to fit it.

Return the part for a refund?

BoGoF

Car_54 said:

BoGoF said:

Car_54 said:

BoGoF said:

Whether it's correct or not doesn't really matter if that's their policy and you can't make them fit it if that is their policy.

You got it at a good price? Take it elsewhere to be fitted.

But many garages refuse to fit parts they haven't supplied, to avoid any potential arguments about liability if a part fails.

It's "branded" - whatever that means.

And there are plenty garages happy to fit supplied parts as well. If Halford's aren't going to budge (and I would say it's a blessing in disguise) then what choice does the OP have other than find someone else to fit it.

Return the part for a refund?

Well, yes, if they accept it but from the sounds of it was cheaper than he will get elsewhere.

Kim_13

Car_54 said:

BoGoF said:

Car_54 said:

BoGoF said:

Whether it's correct or not doesn't really matter if that's their policy and you can't make them fit it if that is their policy.

You got it at a good price? Take it elsewhere to be fitted.

But many garages refuse to fit parts they haven't supplied, to avoid any potential arguments about liability if a part fails.

It's "branded" - whatever that means.

And there are plenty garages happy to fit supplied parts as well. If Halford's aren't going to budge (and I would say it's a blessing in disguise) then what choice does the OP have other than find someone else to fit it.

Return the part for a refund?

Have Halfords refused to refund the part? As you bought it online this would be in breach of the Consumer Contracts Regulations, but it made me wonder as it would certainly be underhand for Halfords not to state on their website that any parts purchased cannot be fitted at a Halfords Autocentre (have you checked this?) 

If Halfords are refusing to refund, it’s going to be fighting for your rights and then paying more for the part at Autocentre (presumably) vs find someone willing to fit it.

BoGoF

Kim_13 said:

Car_54 said:

BoGoF said:

Car_54 said:

BoGoF said:

Whether it's correct or not doesn't really matter if that's their policy and you can't make them fit it if that is their policy.

You got it at a good price? Take it elsewhere to be fitted.

But many garages refuse to fit parts they haven't supplied, to avoid any potential arguments about liability if a part fails.

It's "branded" - whatever that means.

And there are plenty garages happy to fit supplied parts as well. If Halford's aren't going to budge (and I would say it's a blessing in disguise) then what choice does the OP have other than find someone else to fit it.

Return the part for a refund?

Have Halfords refused to refund the part? As you bought it online this would be in breach of the Consumer Contracts Regulations, but it made me wonder as it would certainly be underhand for Halfords not to state on their website that any parts purchased cannot be fitted at a Halfords Autocentre (have you checked this?) 

If Halfords are refusing to refund, it’s going to be fighting for your rights and then paying more for the part at Autocentre (presumably) vs find someone willing to fit it.

The part was collected in store so distance selling does not apply.

Barkin

Car_54 said:

BoGoF said:

Whether it's correct or not doesn't really matter if that's their policy and you can't make them fit it if that is their policy.

You got it at a good price? Take it elsewhere to be fitted.

But many garages refuse to fit parts they haven't supplied, to avoid any potential arguments about liability if a part fails.

Can't say I've ever encountered this. They've always made it clear on the invoice that it's a customer supplied part, and fitted it without issue.

I guess some might get miffed if they lose the opportunity to charge £400 for something costing £250 though... 

Okell

BoGoF said:

Kim_13 said:

Car_54 said:

BoGoF said:

Car_54 said:

BoGoF said:

Whether it's correct or not doesn't really matter if that's their policy and you can't make them fit it if that is their policy.

You got it at a good price? Take it elsewhere to be fitted.

But many garages refuse to fit parts they haven't supplied, to avoid any potential arguments about liability if a part fails.

It's "branded" - whatever that means.

And there are plenty garages happy to fit supplied parts as well. If Halford's aren't going to budge (and I would say it's a blessing in disguise) then what choice does the OP have other than find someone else to fit it.

Return the part for a refund?

Have Halfords refused to refund the part? As you bought it online this would be in breach of the Consumer Contracts Regulations, but it made me wonder as it would certainly be underhand for Halfords not to state on their website that any parts purchased cannot be fitted at a Halfords Autocentre (have you checked this?) 

If Halfords are refusing to refund, it’s going to be fighting for your rights and then paying more for the part at Autocentre (presumably) vs find someone willing to fit it.

The part was collected in store so distance selling does not apply.

Are you sure of that? (I'm not.)