Let me summarise the background to this post. A few months ago, my wife and I decided that we could manage with “normal” cars as opposed to SUVs. We now have a couple of very boring Vauxhall Vectras. Anyway, a few weeks ago, both of them blew a headlight bulb the same day (what are the odds on that?!).
We overslept the next day and the local auto parts shop closed at lunchtime (it was a Sunday). Rather than drive miles, I decided to go to our local Halfords for the bulbs. I was a bit gobsmacked they wanted £12 each for the bulbs, I was expecting them to be about £6-£8 each. The assistant wrote on one of the packages to show which car was which as we have different models and, despite me mentioning the fact the headlights appeared to be identical, the shop assistant was convinced they were 2 different bulbs (forgot to mention, at this point one of them was about £10).
So, I got home to find that indeed I was correct and the headlights were identical. I fitted the bulb in my wifes car and then drove back to Halfords to change the other one. The shop assistant (different one to before), tried to refuse an exchange as, apparently, I had written on the packaging. I explained the other assistant had done this and then I paid the difference and left with the correct bulb. The assistant offered to fit it for me so I said “might as well, it’s cost me £12, to which he replied “it’s not free, it costs £4 to fit it”. You’re having a laugh right? Changing a bulb in a Vectra takes like 45 seconds! I refused, changed the bulb and then drove home.
Typically, and commonly, today my wife’s other headlight bulb blew. So, I went down to the parts shop I would normally go to and bought the same bulb I had recently purchased for £12 at Halfords. The cost…. FIVE POUNDS! and, had I driven there in my wife’s car, thet would have fitted it for free!
I’ve known for a long time that Halfords is very expensive but I had no idea just how expensive until this experience. I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t know how to fit a bulb and could end up paying a total of £16 for a bulb/fitting that a decent independent supplier would do for not much over 30% of Halfords price. I know where I won’t be shopping again!