Elaine, at 2:18pm 7th Jul 2009, wrote:

This seems to be the attitude of lots of larger stores now. The staff seem to have no job satisfaction. Why? The "little man" seems to be able to realise you the client are his bread and butter. Just because you work for a large company does this mean you don't need to care as much

Elaine

Sophie Brettell, at 3:41pm 11th Jul 2009, wrote:

I work in Halfords Customer Service and unsurprisingly we, along with most other retailers, are experiencing a complaining culture, maybe it's because of the credit crunch, I don't know, but whatever it is everybody is after something for nothing. 9 times out of 10 our staff are polite, courteous and extremely dedicated to providing a fantastic customer experience but the slightest hiccup and the customer believes they are entitled to something. Please just give the staff a break, they are trying their hardest and yes, on occasions, we don't get it right, but hey, they're only human after all.

Maverell, at 7:28pm 16th Jul 2009, wrote:

Up to 2 weeks to service a bike is totally unaceptable. Being given the run around is totally unacceptable.

Complaining is no good - just go elsewhere. Its their loss especially as you will tell all your friends about your negative experience....

theservicecoach, at 8:30pm 17th Jul 2009, wrote:

Oh it makes me smile the way people defend poor service - poor service is poor service however you dress it up. I dont care how old, race, gender or whatever I just need someone to care. Its the individual not the company they work for that is the cause. The credit crunch has nothing to do with it - theres good and bad in good and bad times. Independent or group it still comes down to the interactions of the individual - it comes down to the moment. If I get poor service I get poor service and thats down to how much that person cares there and then - its choice - simple - no more no less.

Sherza, at 9:47am 18th Jul 2009, wrote:

Totally agree with you on that one Paul.

Patricia , at 2:36pm 27th Jul 2009, wrote:

So...Sophie works for Halfords Customer Service, does she?...Her comments say a lot about her training and attitude...I think I will be giving Halfords a miss from now on!

Bethan, at 4:08pm 29th Jul 2009, wrote:

I agree.

Christina Crosbie, at 1:52pm 31st Jul 2009, wrote:

I discovered Halfords weaknesses a long time ago and have not used them now for several years

daniel grice, at 6:40pm 4th Aug 2009, wrote:

i do agree

Ella, at 2:45am 6th Aug 2009, wrote:

So Ms customer service believes a culture of complaining has emerged.

The stores are the losers in the recession not the purchasers. So customers should be very happy if the store is doing things well.

Customers wise up and spend their money in places where they are valued as individuals rather then seen as passers by popping in to shift fast moving products in shortest space of time.

I feel for many emloyees, as low paid staff are taken advantage of and often get put in difficult situations when their knowledge of the vast range of products is rather light to say the least. Result is that grumpyness will thrive.

Being nice, kind, knowledgeable and listening to customer requirements does not move stock at the rate or speed the large stores expect these days.

I spend my money where it makes most difference and at present that is definately with local small business poeple who care if you come back

seun oladele, at 8:21pm 12th Aug 2009, wrote:

i'm in different.

mohammed, at 2:10pm 17th Aug 2009, wrote:

i agree aswell

steve adkins, at 10:29pm 18th Aug 2009, wrote:

You should not expect any different. But did you also know that when buying items to sell outfitsd like Halfords want to make 70% Margin (so if you buy something for £10 they paid £3 for it) and they they take usually 4 months to pay their supplier.

The only form that can do that are those importing from China.

So if you want protct British jobs go to the independent.

theservicecoach, at 2:06pm 24th Aug 2009, wrote:

Once upon a time we had 'Local' shops, these are dying out rapidly. That said those that remain and that are 'local' are probably part of a chain as the large groups realise the money that can be earned in the convenience market. You see what has changed is the way we shop and what we shop for. I never remember going too far when I was a child for food etc. Then the supermarkets opened as we went to self service and they became attractions in themselves. Also the food we buy is less fresh and more processed and this is true for lots of other things. We have fashions and we want things now - we are cash rich and time poor so most of us we dont want to make meals, furniture, clothes or fix cars any more. With the recession this is changing but mark my words when things get back to 'normal' you see how people revert back to their old ways. What do they say - necessity is the mother of invention?

Its this demand for more time that fuels the change in our buying habits and those of the shopping behaviours we exhibit. I mean how many times do you go shopping as someting to do and not as a need?

Until we appreciate that customer service is a career and those in the service industry appreciate the customer is the job then very little will change other than where we go or what we buy.

Names come and go and one day those who are lagging behind the service demands will either join the rubbish heap or change their ways and join the service race - the choice is ours!

penny webster-brown, at 3:53pm 8th Sep 2009, wrote:

1. Customers don't 'complain'. They give you an opportunity to make things right.

2. Our little town has had lots of small independent retailers open up over the past couple of years. When local people discover we're here they can't believe how nice we are! Unfortunately, so many of them travel to big towns with chain stores to do their shopping that we struggle to make a living.

SO, if you want great service and choice - SHOP LOCAL!!!!!!!!

alan cast, at 12:46am 9th Sep 2009, wrote:

halfords is to fair run by boys with about 2 weeks trainin . the shop i use 'cyclepower' in worcester park is wonderful . the owner runs it and does downhill ridin and when i've taken bike in tobe serviced i have found it 10 out of 10 . even when i bought my bike he helped me pick my bike and choose a bike £200 less than the one i wanted because is wasnt right for me . so i say indepentant shops have better knowledge than halfords could ever gain with all they many super stores

rhys, at 3:24am 23rd Sep 2009, wrote:

Halfords wanted something like £80 to fix my bike (New bearings, tyres the works) my local bike shop only wanted £45 thats almost half

Declan Tudor, at 2:15pm 3rd Oct 2009, wrote:

its all a joke

laura davies, at 6:03pm 8th Oct 2009, wrote:

:/

june thompson, at 10:21am 1st Nov 2009, wrote:

The staff employed by the large chains should realise that it's the CUSTOMERS that help to pay their wages! Without satisfied customers, they'd be out of a job.