Halfords rip off prices
Discussion
Popped into halfords today as a bulb had popped on my Accord, I was amazed at the prices they try and charge for bulbs, I know their tools are good value and have bought loads but...
Halfords standard replacement H7 bulb £9.49
Standard replacement H7 bulb from motor factors £2.89
Its a joke, how can they justify it being nearly £7 more expensive, gits
Halfords standard replacement H7 bulb £9.49
Standard replacement H7 bulb from motor factors £2.89
Its a joke, how can they justify it being nearly £7 more expensive, gits
Edited by Jazoli on Saturday 7th November 13:56
Anatol said:
They site their stores in retail locations. Rent per sq ft will be much higher than a motor factors tucked away somewhere and relying on tradespeople rather than passing retail trade.
Tol
It won't be that, just that things like bulbs are usually bought when the last one goes, and you need it to be legal. You generally have to buy a bulb that day, and most people have no idea where to buy them apart from halfords. Tol
It's a captive market, and people "value" a bulb quite highly as they'll get pulled over without it.
Bulbs can have a 300-400% markup and sales still carry on, so they stick to that price.
The rest of their kit won't be on similar margins. Service stuff like filters and oil are more modestly priced, as people have the time to shop around, and it'll be done by more DIY minded people that know where independent motor factors are.
sniff diesel said:
I don't agree with their 2 tier pricing either with those with a trade card getting stuff for some half the shelf price. I only use Halfords if I'm desperate for something while working on my cars in an evening and the normal motor factors are closed.
Me either, like I said earlier I am happy to buy their tools but the only reason I popped in today was that I was passing, I drove the extra mile to the factors in the end.sniff diesel said:
Anatol said:
It's a retail markup.
If you have a trade card you can get parts like bulbs from Halfords at motor factor prices.
Tol
So why not just charge everyone the same price?If you have a trade card you can get parts like bulbs from Halfords at motor factor prices.
Tol
Like I said it's two tier pricing.
Not just Halfords though... I was in the market for a replacement digital SLR and settled on a Canon EOS 500D. I looked in Tottenham Court Road's supposedly 'cheap' electrical retailers (£669-£699) whereas John Lewis in Oxford St. was £579 and I get £50 cashback from Canon.
Even worse was the 55-250mm zoom lens for it. RRP of £249, but Argos are charging £349 - how can they justify £100 over RRP??? I paid £154 from a retailer in the Isle of Wight. A 16gb Sandisk SDHC memory card in Curry's £140, but only £79 from Amazon... I know the high street retailers have higher overheads, but it certainly pays to shop around both online and in the High St.
Even worse was the 55-250mm zoom lens for it. RRP of £249, but Argos are charging £349 - how can they justify £100 over RRP??? I paid £154 from a retailer in the Isle of Wight. A 16gb Sandisk SDHC memory card in Curry's £140, but only £79 from Amazon... I know the high street retailers have higher overheads, but it certainly pays to shop around both online and in the High St.
Edited by 58warren on Saturday 7th November 15:09
AndrewW-G said:
Their business model allows them to do this, as per other posters it's not the bulb your paying a premium for, it's the large retail space thats open 7 days a week 
Do you complain in restaurants that a bottle of wine you could buy in a supermarket has a large mark up?
but the supermarket is supplying the wine only. not giving you a glass and somewhere to drink it. both the motor factor and halfords are selling only. the motor factor might fit it , if you cannot. halfords would charge ,would they not?Do you complain in restaurants that a bottle of wine you could buy in a supermarket has a large mark up?
Went to the local motor factors for a 382 bulb-stop lamp,indicator,reverse lamp-,for my daughters car.
Wanted a £1 for it,so I started to walk away muttering "they are only £2 for ten on Ebay".
As I got to the door he calls me back and dropped to 40p,so I said "how about 3 for a £1", he agreed and everyones happy.
You won't be able to haggle at Halfords like that.
Thinking back to the late 60s, we had a truck in for service at the supplier,because it was still in warranty.
Price for the Fuel filter £2
From a local motor factor, £2 retail,a single had 50% discount, a pack of 20 had 70% discount,taking in the fact everyone up to the factor wanted to make a profit they must have been made for pennies.
Wanted a £1 for it,so I started to walk away muttering "they are only £2 for ten on Ebay".
As I got to the door he calls me back and dropped to 40p,so I said "how about 3 for a £1", he agreed and everyones happy.
You won't be able to haggle at Halfords like that.
Thinking back to the late 60s, we had a truck in for service at the supplier,because it was still in warranty.
Price for the Fuel filter £2
From a local motor factor, £2 retail,a single had 50% discount, a pack of 20 had 70% discount,taking in the fact everyone up to the factor wanted to make a profit they must have been made for pennies.
jas xjr said:
AndrewW-G said:
Their business model allows them to do this, as per other posters it's not the bulb your paying a premium for, it's the large retail space thats open 7 days a week
Do you complain in restaurants that a bottle of wine you could buy in a supermarket has a large mark up?
but the supermarket is supplying the wine only. not giving you a glass and somewhere to drink it. both the motor factor and halfords are selling only. the motor factor might fit it , if you cannot. halfords would charge ,would they not?Do you complain in restaurants that a bottle of wine you could buy in a supermarket has a large mark up?
doesnt alter the fact that nobody had a gun to the OP's head, he could have walked out of halfords and gone somewhere cheaper
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