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Car seats

halfords seat fitting is useless!

13 replies

peanutMD · 25/09/2012 15:03

PG friend and I went to look at and try out a MaxiCosi Cabriofix at Halfords today.

She is looking at this seat because of the safety standard and she checked the website to ensure it fits her car model which it does apparently.

we went in picked up the seat and asked girl if we could try it and she agreed to help fit it, when we got the car the first thing she asked do you want it looking out the front or back meaning forward our rear facing so I said it has to be rear facing because its a group 0 seat so she put it in and you could just see it was wrong (she put the lap belt and long part behing seat) so it was obviously wobbling a lot.

She then stated oh that's not very safe it doesn't fit! Do I asked if I could try as I'd used this seat before (I haven't but it has instructions on the if seat) so I did it in about a minute and it was'nt budding

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peanutMD · 25/09/2012 15:10

Sorry posted too quickly by accident...

Anyway seat wasn't budging when I put it in so she e'en inside and got the 'expert' who checked and decided there was no way it was going in the car without an 'ipsofix' base (the car doesn't even have Isofix.

Friend said no thanks we'd check else where as website states its compatible without to which the girl replied well that's fine but good luck with that and stated that it might be okay forward facing but definately not rearward...

We said no thanks and drive away, I am really shocked by this a always thought Halfords would be clued up.

Definitely won't be using them again!

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MegMogAndOwl · 25/09/2012 18:21

That's shocking! Shock

I'd be inclined to write an email to the store manager and let them know what happened.

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DoubleYew · 25/09/2012 18:28

Oh god I remember going to Halfords to get ds car seat. Were told we couldn't try it as the guy who knows how to do the car seats isn't in. I pointed out it was advertised all over the store and on the man's t-shirt. He said its quite a complicated course you have to do so only one of them had done it!

Went to Mothercare and took two minutes.

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StateofConfusion · 28/09/2012 21:22

That is beyond shocking, I'd email halfords customer services.

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nocake · 28/09/2012 21:29

This is not at all surprising. Halfords have repeatedly been shown to be poor at recommending and fitting car seats. Every time the media points it out to them they say that they're improving their processes and training... but they're clearly not. It's shocking because car seats aren't difficult to fit. They all come with clear instructions.

I would strongly recommend that you don't buy a car seat from Halfords. I'll also add that Mothercare has also been slated in the past for their poor service fitting car seats. I can only hope that they have improved more than Halfords.

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lagoonhaze · 29/09/2012 19:58

I would bother cemplaning I would go to the press. Halfords do not care about car safety and I have at least 5 friends who have had unsafe fittings.

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lagoonhaze · 29/09/2012 19:58

I wouldn't bother complaining.... That's meant to say

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Te55ybear · 04/01/2013 22:04

Wow I cannot believe what bad expeirences people have had with halfords. The Halfords branch in Wolverhampton which we and our friends have used have been brilliant. Trying seats in the cars for us, giving accurate and helpful recommendations and fitting the seats correctly ensuring they are very secure and cannot move. So impressed that we have ordered yet another car seat (she has outgrown the current one) and they are fitting it tomorrow. I guess some stores are better than others. I hope you all find somewhere (halfords, mothercare, kiddicare or other) that can fit your seats so that you are happy to put your precious LOs in the seat.

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PeppermintCreams · 05/01/2013 08:47

I got my car booster seat from Kiddicare Lakeside Thurrock. They've are fantastic.

They've got a computer system where you type your details in and they'll text you when they've got someone free. The sign said "guaranteed no longer than 20 mins" It was a quiet time and we waited 10 mins but we were browsing the store rather than waiting. They have a serious amount of car seats and colours on display. They also had fake passenger seats so they could demonstrate features and how to fit the seats where there is more space and light in the store. The workers were knowledgeable, and very helpful. They didn't have the colour my son wanted in stock so we got free next day delivery at home. (This is standard on their website anyway)

Plus they've got a very child friendly store with toilets, cafe and play area.

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peanutMD · 05/01/2013 18:32

Completely forgot about this thread and it had just cropped up :)

We are lucky in that we can use a local nursery store and they are v.good with fitting etc so will stock to this in future.

My cousin has since started working in Halfords and is duty manager, he showed me the car seat training guide for staff and I have to say I won't be using them for anything like this again! They are given a 90 minute talk/demonstration with one seat from each stage

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lagoonhaze · 06/01/2013 03:43

Interesting! Always knew they were crap. They refused to fit seat for me after i pulled them up on error.

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jenvic · 16/02/2015 11:14

Just wanted to share ; had amazing customer service from halfords when buying car seat

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AliceMum09 · 16/02/2015 17:22

I would not trust the staff in any high street store to advise me of the correct seat for my children or fit them for me.

www.which.co.uk/baby-and-child/baby-transport/guides/how-which-makes-child-car-seats-safer/shocking-car-seat-investigation-results/

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