Halfords and Euro Car Parts

[AW10]

Recently needed to replace a starter motor and stumbled across the fact that if you buy it from Halfords it's actually Euro Car Parts that ships it.

And if you buy the starter through ECP they add a core charge - buy it through Halfords and they don't. Bonus!

[Ian Geary]

I recall halfords not needing to take the old one in to get a deposit back, but I didn't realise it was the same group behind them

And haven't ecp merged now with someone else?

The Lucus brand starter i got from halfords was a ctually a reconditioned one sprayed an unconvincing shade of silver, but it does the job - and i doubt it will need to do the 140k the oe one did.

[AW10]

Not sure Halfords and ECP have merged - I think just a commercial arrangement?

Edited by AW10 on Tuesday 30th September 21:39

[WhiskyDisco]

ECP will ship the starter motor - they add a "surcharge" which they will repay upon return of the old part. You might need to return this back to the depot.

[RSTurboPaul]

WhiskyDisco said:

ECP will ship the starter motor - they add a "surcharge" which they will repay upon return of the old part. You might need to return this back to the depot.

I have a swapped/dead alternator I need to return to get a surcharge back, but I have no idea where the receipt is and it was ages ago now anyway... *facepalm*

[AW10]

WhiskyDisco said:

ECP will ship the starter motor - they add a "surcharge" which they will repay upon return of the old part. You might need to return this back to the depot.

Nope, no surcharge when bought via Halfords.

[craigjm]

AW10 said:

Not sure Halfords and ECP have merged - I think just a commercial arrangement?

Edited by AW10 on Tuesday 30th September 21:39

That’s right they haven’t merged. They have had a commercial relationship for over 10 years to supply parts through Halfords

[kambites]

I believe carparts4less are also the same company as ECP and are usually cheaper.

[donkmeister]

kambites said:

I believe carparts4less are also the same company as ECP and are usually cheaper.

They are. I seem to be on the local ECP delivery route; whenever I order something from CP4L it arrives the very next morning in the ECP delivery van.

[WhiskyDisco]

Halfords and Kwikfit are what they call "National Accounts". The parts will be on the best prices possible. With limited stock, the staff at the depot would rather sell to their independent customers at a better margin than the nationals. I'm surprised there isn't a surcharge on the starter motor - I think it's related to the brand - some accept the old part back while others don't.