Halfords Tools

[Gadget]

Just bought a (so called 'professional') socket set from Halfords, and the rachet handle does not rachet, ie is locked solid. Took said item back to be told the 'lifetime guarantee' does not cover moving parts like rachets. When I said that I have not even used this tool as it was not fit for purpose I was given the same answer, but surely I said 'this is a manufacturing fault' only to be told again that 'moving parts are not covered'!

To say that I am miffed is an understatement!!

I wonder what should be my next move (apart from not buying any more tools from this source.)

Any ideas?

[carpetstu]

Send their head office a letter stating the sales of goods act of 1979.

The goods are not fit for purpose and within 28 days of purchase you can return for a full refund.

If they still refuse , tell them they are in breach of contract and issue them with a 7 day notice of intent to sue.

That should sort it!

Small extract -

Sale of Goods Act

Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 traders must sell goods that are as described and of satisfactory quality.

If consumers discover that products do not meet these requirements they can reject them and ask for their money back providing they do so quickly. Alternatively, they can request a repair or replacement or claim compensation.

[hilux]

QUOTE

Just bought a (so called 'professional') socket set from Halfords, and the rachet handle does not rachet, ie is locked solid.

My son got me a ratchet and it too locks solid one way. You can get it to free up but its a ratchet/pawl machining issue as i took it apart and lubricated it with no effect.

He lost the receipt so I havent taken it back but if you undo the screws and look at one end of the ratchet pawl you should see its not quite the same as the other end.

Good luck and hope this helps as its a machining issue and not a misuse issue.

[peterg]

Ring Halfords and complain, there are people on Blatchat who have had ratchets and cases (also supposedly not covered) replaced after a couple of years use never mind a brand new one  

example:

QUOTE

Dear Mr Collins

Thank you for your email

You are able to obtain a replacement xxxxxxxxx by calling 01382 591414. They will be pleased to assist you further

Kind Regards

Emma Thomas

Halfords Customer Services

full 2006 thread here

there was a guy on there who worked for Halfrauds but sadly he was laid off a year or so ago but he reckoned broken stuff should be replaced 'in store'  

[smegablade]

You could try the approach of my driver foreman who had a professional torx driver break after a couple of years.  He'd hardly used it so thought he'd get it replaced no problem.

Halfords assistant manager refused to replace it as he didn't have a receipt.  In the ensuing conversation, that became quite heated the assistant manager call his wife a silly b***h.

Q driver foreman (6 ft 2 and 18 stone) headbutt to assistant manager followed by a right hander and then a chase around the store.  After the police were called he calmly sat outside the store rolled a fag a waited for plod.

Now been banned from all Halfords stores.  Not sure that's any great loss......

[TIG Brother]

if you go in with you receipt and speak to the store manager, they have to replace the ratchet for you as the item is under 28 days old, you probably spoke to one of the useless members of staff that halfords seems to employ these days, in ways he isn't wrong in saying that the guarantee does not cover working parts or ratchets, (for this reason they sell replacement ratchets mechanisms in store) but has not looked at your full story and noted the obvious bit that you haven't used it yet. go above him and speak to the manager, this should get sorted pretty easily when you speak to the right person.

Most of my tools are from said shop and have so far served me well for 9 or so years now, and have only had to have 2 replacement parts, which to be truthful, they did get some abuse, but this was never questioned, and a new item issued right away.

[MITTONS]

Took my 1/4 drive ratchet back after it kept sticking , changed no problems (Halfords Coalville branch) no headbutts  needed  

[scruffythefirst]

Never had a problem exchanging halford professional stuff.  Bent spanners, bust ratchets and I took 3 of the same Torx bits back in the same day.

[dhutch]

Yeah, go back the next day and hope for someone different, taking trading standard number with you.

- If they are still nobbing about tell them you are going to ring trading standards and get out the phone, if still no joy, make the call and see what happens.

Ive not done this myself, but its got to be worth a shot.

Certainly i would not be happy untill i had a new ratchet if its brandnew.

Thats nothing to do with professional range thats just faulty goods being replaced.

Ive also had no issues replacing miss parts and bent spanners although my fords ratchet* has so far been faultless. I always thought the only real bit that wasnt covered was the knuck of there breaker bars with the do spares of for about £4.

*A very well used, almost abused, 1.4 inch set ive had since i was small and since before they even introduced the profesional range, which is now beeing phased out for the advanced  range.

Daniel

[carpetstu]

Consumer Direct / Trading Standards are a waste of time and effort and couldn't punch their way out of a paper bag.

If you are not getting anywhere verbally in store, email, fax and recorded delivery a complaint to their head office with a copy of the same hand delivered to the store.

Give them 7 working days to respond.

If this has no impact, then issue them with an intent to sue letter, advising them of your reasons again. I.E. Unfit for purpose. Again give them 7 days to respond.

If they again do not respond, then you can issue them with a County Court summons. (I very much doubt it will get this far).

[blankczechbook]

just try another shop. bigger shops have better managers/key staff generally and i've not had any problems swopping broken stuff.

[stephenh]

Like the carpet seller says, not of merchantable quality, then replacement or money back. No messing.

[Norman Verona]

I have a 7/16" AF combo ratchet spanner which sometimes  "slips".

I took it back to the Dover branch and they read me the bit about "no gaurantee on ratchet mechanisms.

Someone suggested breaking the jaw. I'm not that dishonest so went to buy another.

No longer available as unit on its own, only in a complete set.

And before anyone asks, yes I do have a set of the bulk buy spanners but like the Halfords items more as they are slimmer and feel better in the hand. So, not bad for a third of the price.

[cast iron]

I took back a torque wrench, got a replacement, I billed them for a destroyed engine which they paid and recieved another torque wrench in the post which I sold!

[Gadget]

Thanks Guys.

Took back item today and was given the same story, showed them my reciept and still was told that no guarantee on 'moving parts'

As soon as I mentioned 'Sale of goods act 1979' a replacement magically appeared and situation resolved.

Thanks again!