[Closed] So. Redundant the 2nd December in a row!

So what you're saying is I should pull my stocks out of Halfords?

Not at all - Quality of the shop depends largely on the quality of the people. Which one will you be at?

Farnborough store from 16th December. Mechanic....

You gotta do what's best in shit times. Halfords seems to be improving - make it your mission to sort out their storage of "ship to store" bike parts, as per the recent Hope PSA thread!

3rd busiest store in the UK, one of only 3 Halfords Pinarello dealers

No laughing here - haven't you been looking for something in a bike shop for a while? You're probably overqualified for Halfords, though, since you actually know something about bikes.

Good luck anyway. 🙂

Tough situation so close to Christmas but at least you've got a plan b

haven't you been looking for something in a bike shop for a while?

Been in one since March 🙂 Love it. But they're shutting the store, which was a bit of a surprise for all of us!

Ouch.

Sorry, haven't been paying attention.

How come the store's shutting down in these apparently bonanza times for bikes?

In the same boat it's a bad time of year to be made redundant but two December's in a row is impressive, I've now done it in two December's but 6 years apart.
Well done on seeking new employment.

How come the store's shutting down in these apparently bonanza times for bikes?

That's not for me to say, I'm sure you understand.

Well done on seeking new employment.

Out of the three of us here, only one hasn't already found somehting, and I'm sure he will.

I managed a bikehut in a Halfords for a bit a few years ago, it's money and stores vary hugely, sounds like your one is one of the best ones.

Tough break! But hey, at least you got something to go to that will pay the bills for a bit...

Use Halfords for what it is, an income and a springboard into something better. Many Bike Shop Mechanics that I know have had to do time at Halfords in the past, when losing a job before another decent position became open, it's not quite the stigma some people think it is. Though be perfectly prepared to work with a load of part time 16-18 year old's that know naff all about naff all, except how to make a 5 minute fag break last 20 minutes!

Shame you don't live round my way Pete. I know of 2 shops you could probably walk into round here...

LoCo, it is. They're pretty keen cyclists in the main, even the store manager seems into it. Decent guys in the main I think. Insanely busy too, they reckon 80-120 bikes sold a DAY running up to Christmas!

it's not quite the stigma some people think it is

I don't think it is at all. It's all good experience. We'll see what happens, and it's only 12 mins walk from home, so zero commuting costs

Shame you don't live round my way Pete. I know of 2 shops you could probably walk into round here.

There's a few jobs about in Brizzle right now I see, I'd love to live down that way. One day, one day...

[i]they reckon 80-120 bikes sold a DAY running up to Christmas[/i]

That's a lot of PDI's for you to do a day PP...

I ended up selling gas and electricity on the streets for nPower when I got made redundant,then worked in a call centre for elderly folks clothing - nowt wrong with Halfords mate!

Only thing I'll say is setup on the Tunisian made specials can be interesting at time 😉
and being told by a junior manager that you should be able to build a bike from a box and set it all up in 5 mins 😆

[i]80-120 bikes sold a DAY running up to Christmas[/i]

Wow! Shame theres no commission 🙂

Hi Pete, sorry to hear you are having to move around again, at least you can move straight across without a gap though.
Is it the one at Farnborough Gate?
I will pop in for a couple of tubes and a hello!

Did you get your Ducati tank fixed again?

I think I'm going to get laughed off the forum for working at Halfords, right?

Sorry to hear your current job is no more 🙁 , glad to hear you are sorted out so quickly 😀

Hopefully you can install some sense in the staff in there, as in my experience their advice seems very random at best. Probably see you in there at some stage as I do pop in to get stuff from them when they have deals on.

they reckon 80-120 bikes sold a DAY running up to Christmas

Well, they say "bikes" but...

😉

Good stuff!

There's nowt wrong with Halfords if the staff no what they are doing and I suspect that you do.

As above, nowt wrong wi' Halfords. I've used Halfords countless times over the years at times when LBS chaps are at home having their tea or are still in bed. In the past they were a know what you want so buy it store, but that seems to be changing.

Nowt wrong wi working there for a living. I've been to halfords twice in the past month, the lads on the bikehut bit there seemed decent enough.

If i had better bike spannering skills i'd be very tempted by this

[url= http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/zuvvi/media/bc_files/vacancies/1310_BC-_Race_Mechanic.pdf ]Job[/url]

Bad luck and good luck at the same time PP.

I am guessing Farnborough or possibly Farnham, Good to know which one, then we can come in and get some good advice etc.

Well, they say "bikes" but...

We need to get PP a T-Shirt with "A BSO is just for Christmas, NOT for life" on the front! 😆

Your commute will be less then? Your miss those Strave segments!!

my local halfords is good because the spannerists are cyclists
It is down to the quality if the staff and you know your onions

Hope it all works out well for you

I would not fancy trying to index the gears on some of those bikes though but at least all the forks will be the right way round!!

Oh no, am very sorry to hear that Pete. Good luck with the new job, you know your stuff and customers will appreciate your high standards.

Less of a commute, win win. 😀

Anyone who has ever seen a picture of you won't be laughing at you because you work in Halfords 😉

I'd say S**t happens, but if you are off to a new job it's really not all that bad by the sounds of things - good luck!

You've got a job and that's what most important not where you work at least your not claiming there's no jobs to there what am I supposed to do.

Good luck. Hope the Kili is still going strong.

Snap ! Took me 6 months to get a one last year but only got a short term contract
So interview on Friday fingers crossed

Out of recession my arse

Yup another Good Luck from me, sure you'll enjoy it what with dealing with all those kids kicking over the bike stands n all 😆
But seriously, sounds like most folk who find themselves in situations like this, find another job reasonably soon.

Leku - yes the Sarcin' is ace, probably my favourite bike ever, to be honest. 🙂

Hi Pete, sorry to hear you are having to move around again, at least you can move straight across without a gap though.
Is it the one at Farnborough Gate?
I will pop in for a couple of tubes and a hello!

Did you get your Ducati tank fixed again?

Yep, Farnborough Gate.
We fixed the tank with good old chemical metal which is still holding.

Sorry to hear this Peter! Great you got something else though. "Life would be boring if it didn't change" …… I know, sometimes it would be nice for it to have a chance to get boring 😉

LoCo - Member
Only thing I'll say is setup on the Tunisian made specials can be interesting at time
and being told by a junior manager that you should be able to build a bike from a box and set it all up in 5 mins

I worked in a Halford's at 16 - a very, very long time ago... This was doing the rounds even then!

LoCo - Member
Only thing I'll say is setup on the Tunisian made specials can be interesting at time
and being told by a junior manager that you should be able to build a bike from a box and set it all up in 5 mins

I worked in a Halford's at 16 - a very, very long time ago... This was doing the rounds even then!

Poopy before Christmas, but fair play for heading off elsewhere to stay in work. Halfords or no, it is work.

Look at it as an opportunity Peter. What can you bring them that they don't have ? You could be their bike style Gok Wan 🙂

Like any big company if you can make a positive mark there will be opportunities - find something unique and capitalise on it.

You could be their bike style Gok Wan

Genuine LOL! 🙂

😆

The one piece of advice I can offer for building up apollos is to expect the unexpected...

Eg bolts with no threads on shafts, welds not finished etc etc...

GB

Good luck Pete!

Sorry to here your news mr poddy, but at least you have an easier commute now.
Will show my face in halfords and say hello. Incidentally my old regional manager will now be your regional manager I believe.

Use Halfords for what it is, an income and a springboard into something better.

It seems to me that if Halfords want to they can become the biggest player in the whole UK bike market. They have the stores and locations already in place and the online presence as well. As we have seen through the PSA's on here they also have the buying power to take on the Chain Reactions and Wiggles of this world and beat them. On top of that with a bit more investment in trained staff they can roll out a whole buy it on line at this price with an optional fixed price upgrade to get it fitted.
Independent bike shops are always going to struggle to compete on price for bikes and more especially components. Chain Reaction etc cant offer fitting and servicing without setting up a very complex network of local bike shops to work with. Halfords could do both. They are already the go to place for many who know nothing about bikes, there is nothing to stop them becoming the go to place for those of us who know a bit more.

You may well just be starting to work for an company who is going to make the biggest changes the industry has seen since online retailing took off. So I wouldn't be looking at it as a stop gap.

As an aside I joined my employer as a stop gap 18 years ago - still awaiting my 3 month review as well.

Good luck and there's not wrong with Halfords IME.

They have some bad spannerists who put forks on back to front occasionally etc but on the whole, it's not a bad shop, it has good intentions and is about to push into biking more from what I've heard.

Anyhow, loyalty to your old shop that's making you redundant doesn't pay any bills, you are right to look after yourself firstly.

Tough luck! People at our place can do enough to make themselves look invisible we are so desparate for work. Have you spoken with Andy G to see if there is a 'franchise partner' proposal to be made? Local mobiles seem forever busy. Also I know a nice mobile chap Dorking way who I'm sure would chat about setting up.

Hope all goes well Pete. Where will I call in on my way home from my Saturday club run now? And Halfords are fine. The young man in Slough Bikehut knows his bikes and wanted to know all about my Merlin road bike. All down to who works there of course, but loving bikes is always going to rub off on staff and customers.

Have you seen the PSA 'halford is good' thread? Recruiting knowledgeable staff is 90% of the battle won. Good luck annd sounds like you'll be working on nice bikes rather than BSOs which should be more rewarding!

Yep, good luck PP

I often call in there for last minute needs and generally impressed by the range and stock, will pay more attention in future. Only issue I have is with some of the local scallies seem to hang around almost every time I'm in there pissing about on the stairs, getting in the way, arsing about in the disabled lift etc. But one stern stare from you and I suspect that can be sorted. We all know you're a very nice man, but you can do 'scary' pretty well, I'll warrant.

You may well just be starting to work for an company who is going to make the biggest changes the industry has seen since online retailing took off. So I wouldn't be looking at it as a stop gap.

This has already occurred to me, to be fair.

e stairs, getting in the way, arsing about in the disabled lift etc. But one stern stare from you and I suspect that can be sorted. We all know you're a very nice man, but you can do 'scary' pretty well, I'll warrant.

I'll just kick 'em out. 🙂
Nothing I've not done before.

So, anyway.....

Out of the blue (And thanks to a really nice bloke who had a hand in it) this week I've been offered another job which I'd have been STARK RAVING MAD to turn down (as workshop manager no less) for a small but well established and very professional chain of shops.
It's around 50% more money than Halfords and I'll have my own little workshop kingdom to run.

Never been in this position before, and I did feel a tad guilty letting Halfords down, but, well, thems the breaks I suppose

😀

RESULT!! Hope this all works well for you.

Many congrats and best of luck in your new job.

Don't feel guilty. I'm sure they'll survive.

Aye. I think you're possibly right......

Congrats. And remember, whats the use of power if you don't abuse it 🙂

I have a lot to thank Halfords for, my love of bikes and my btec in bike spannering for example, but i have far more reasons to be bitter and hateful about them but my experiences are far behind me so i will try and be as neutral as possible.

I will echo the comments of others, stores can vary wildly even within the same town, management can be of inconsistent standards. Treat it as a way station, a stepping stone to something else and youll get the most out of it because progression is unlikely and in some cases not desirable.

Well done and good luck pp. Have you realised what having manager in your job title means? Lots of minions to [s]organise[/s] look after 🙂

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Congratulations! Good to see you are getting a really great opportunity after two redundancy notices in two years!

Have you realised what having manager in your job title means?

It's flashy job title 🙂
Basically, it means I'm the only mechanic in the store and I need to run the workshop properly.
I can't wait to be honest. 🙂