Ok so was in Halfords yesterday and my mate applied for the Halfords Trade Cars, entitles you to UPTO 60% off selected items, tools, consumables, parts etc. NOT Ripspeed stuff.

He spent about £120 and saved £35, and only one of the items wasnt discounted. And that was mainly on the pro range of tools and a few parts.

Anyhow was looking on the web tonight and i see that its not just for 'trade':

"We have also introduced a Halfords trade card into virtually all stores to
encourage more committed home car mechanics and smaller garage proprietors to
purchase an increasing amount of their parts requirements from our stores. Early
results from both initiatives are encouraging."

From:
http://www.halfordscompany.com/hal/ir/announcements/rns/rnsitem?id=1118296813nRNSI3340N&t=popup

This means that i'd guess we'd be classed as more committed home car mechanics.

I also see the VxON Vauxhall Owners Club have something worked out.

here:
http://www.cavweb-forums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=108233

I havent asked yet about getting one as thought they were JUST for trade, but by the looks of the company statment obviously not.

I would suggest that this would be a great benefit to us. Even if all the FIAT sites have to club there respective weight behind this to get it going.

Dont get me wrong i normally buy my parts from elsewhere, but halfords tools etc are excellent and with the discount the parts etc are as cheap as my local motorfactors, plus with better opening times.

They are open later than any of my local factors and on some stuff are competitive, so I'd defiantly make use of it, even if the twit behind the parts desk says that pretty much any part for my car "is dealer only mate" when other factors can get it in

Still, tools, oil, etc, it may be usefull

Kristian

i would definetly find this handy

yea id find one very helpful, i have LOADS of the halfords Pro range of tools, and always adding to it as i need

I work on parts at halfords

The computer systems are complete ****! lol

Now they are doing a new system (Touch screen too! lol) and the store i work at had the head of Trade for the company come in on thursday and ran us through the new system

If you get told "Dealer part mate" then it most likey is as some 3rd party manufarctures havent made the part, but to make the part availlbe, its a stupid process on the computer to register it on there to make it availible the next time

As for the trade cards, youll need proof of who you are (Course pass certificate, Payslip from the garage you work at and somthing else but i have forgotten what it is)

The tools are made by BRITTOOL i think but come with Lifetime guarentee

As for the people who work on the parts area, some are tits and some are brilliaint, just gota think to yourself before you ask if they know a thermostat from a clutch kit

and please have the correct info when asking for a part! lol
Just saying as alot of people dont have a clue what they drive and most of the time the car isnt outside in the car park

@Biz the investor relations blurb suggests that you dont need to be 'trade' rather a commited home mechanic. As they are obviously wanting to get trade back from local motorfactors with like partco where you used to have to have an account and now can walk in off the street and get prices.

""We have also introduced a Halfords trade card into virtually all stores to
encourage more committed home car mechanics and smaller garage proprietors topurchase an increasing amount of their parts requirements from our stores. Early results from both initiatives are encouraging.""

Any chance you could clarify this further, either with a manager or something as the guys off the Vauxhall Owners Club have trade cards inculded with there memberships..

here:
http://www.cavweb-forums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=108233

And obviously it would be beneficial to Fiat members too, as we certainly are 'commited'

Would be handy for when that all-important part goes on a Sunday and motor factors is shut

No good for me this one as I can get parts cheaper and very near trade price .. I just got for one of our Abarth owners in the stilo section ebc turbo grooved and spotted discs and red stuff pads and saved him £50 on the deal.. the old saying here rings true its WHO you know that matters

It's not always about where you can get them from as when you need them Phil. And I find you always need things when everywhere else is closed :bang:

yup thats what i find Halfords good for parts wise, when everywhere is closed. Parts are too expensive without discount that i usually buy most things for either online (shopforparts etc) or my local motorfactors where i usually get 20% odd off anyway.

there are only 2 reasons i dont shop at halfords.

1. price
2. customer service

if this card would bring the price down to less than my local motorfactors then i'd seriously consider shopping there.

however i still wont ask for the opinion or assistance of any staff members.

i'll definately be asking about this next weekend

exactly the same reason i use halfords, last resort lol

my local factors are cool, but sometimes cba with hassle as i work full time... cant always make factors opening hours

jug said:

there are only 2 reasons i dont shop at halfords.

1. price
2. customer service

if this card would bring the price down to less than my local motorfactors then i'd seriously consider shopping there.

however i still wont ask for the opinion or assistance of any staff members.

i'll definately be asking about this next weekend

Click to expand...

99% of the time, if you know your stuff then your wasting time asking them

the main problem is when there are 6 things listed for your car, such as 6 different brake pads on a 1.1 saxo for example. any good motor factors will be able to figure out which ones you need. at halfords they dont care and dont want to know. you cant put a price on experience and expertise.

try having a argument why you need a R5 GTT oil filter for a cinq... that was a fun day

GhostWKD said:

try having a argument why you need a R5 GTT oil filter for a cinq... that was a fun day

Click to expand...

But when you know what you need or are after a standard part they're little books are reasonably helpfull.

Depends on the store

Most are dumb****s there just to get a wage

The halfords brand oil is COMMA
The alternators and starter motors are REMY AUTOMOTIVE LTD
The brake pads are UK FRICTION LIMITED
The Timing Belts are GOODYEAR

Forgot the rest! lol

Have to say my local on is pretty decent then normally say they don't know and to ask so and so who's in on such and such a day. Was asking advice about Sat Navs.. lol

Halfrauds is my first port of call for anything car related (that they sell)... my local factors is cheaper with better quality (in most cases) stuff BUT its a nightmare to get a parking space by them during the day They have like 2 spaces in the middle of a high street so they are always in use! Halfords has a big car park

Theres another near my work which is superb but I will usualy always goto halfords instead just becasuse its quick and easy and I never go in not knowing what im going to buy so never need to ask advice etc.

Thankfully all my motorfactors are down back streets with large yards and tones of parking, but know what you mean Halfords are always in a handy location.