Returning Kids Bike to Halfords

Burning_Ranger said:

My brother and his wife stupidly bought a rubbish kids bike from
Halfords a few days ago (Apollo XC20). On the first ride the 'tyre'
burst (no visible cuts) and of course it's not a real tyre with an
inner tube (just an inflatable tyre). It has the usual crappy brakes
and is far too big for him right now.

How can I return it to Halfords and get a refund? I don't really fancy
getting it repaired only to have it mess up yet again with another
component. Anything I can do, any pieces of government legislature I
can wave in their faces?

I should add, the bike iis still in new condition.

In article <[email hidden]>

Burning_Ranger said:

My brother and his wife stupidly bought a rubbish kids bike from
Halfords a few days ago (Apollo XC20). On the first ride the 'tyre'
burst (no visible cuts) and of course it's not a real tyre with an
inner tube (just an inflatable tyre). It has the usual crappy brakes
and is far too big for him right now.

How can I return it to Halfords and get a refund? I don't really fancy
getting it repaired only to have it mess up yet again with another
component. Anything I can do, any pieces of government legislature I
can wave in their faces?

Did someone in Halfrauds say it's the right size for the kid? If so
just go with the "not fit for purpose" angle.

Burning_Ranger said the following on 20/07/2006 20:56:

Quoted message said:

My brother and his wife stupidly bought a rubbish kids bike from
Halfords a few days ago (Apollo XC20). On the first ride the 'tyre'
burst (no visible cuts) and of course it's not a real tyre with an
inner tube (just an inflatable tyre).

Whilst I can't comment on the specific tyres on that bike, tubeless
tyres are becoming more and more common as they have several advantages,
particularly on mountain bikes. There's nothing inherently wrong with
them. I don't think you really mean that it "burst" - I suspect it just
wasn't sealed properly against the rim and went flat. They are supposed
to be self-sealing to an extent in the event of a puncture.

As to it being too big, the website says that it's suitable for 7 years
plus (or 6+ on the page header), so if the kid is 5, then it's not fit
for the purpose for which it's been sold. If the kid is 7+, but the
bike is still too big, then the sales assistant should have recognized
that fact, so it's not fit for the purpose for which it's been sold. I
think you get my drift! I'm not really sure how you size kid's bikes,
but there are pages on the web that'll tell you.

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

"Paul Boyd" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Burning_Ranger said the following on 20/07/2006 20:56:

Quoted message said:

My brother and his wife stupidly bought a rubbish kids bike from
Halfords a few days ago (Apollo XC20). On the first ride the 'tyre'
burst (no visible cuts) and of course it's not a real tyre with an
inner tube (just an inflatable tyre).

Whilst I can't comment on the specific tyres on that bike, tubeless
tyres are becoming more and more common as they have several advantages,
particularly on mountain bikes. There's nothing inherently wrong with
them. I don't think you really mean that it "burst" - I suspect it just
wasn't sealed properly against the rim and went flat. They are supposed
to be self-sealing to an extent in the event of a puncture.

As to it being too big, the website says that it's suitable for 7 years
plus (or 6+ on the page header), so if the kid is 5, then it's not fit
for the purpose for which it's been sold. If the kid is 7+, but the
bike is still too big, then the sales assistant should have recognized
that fact, so it's not fit for the purpose for which it's been sold. I
think you get my drift! I'm not really sure how you size kid's bikes,
but there are pages on the web that'll tell you.

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

A lot depends on HOW it was bought.

I have seen parents go to buy a bike or shoes or other things without the
child being there.

If you haven't tried it with your child then you can hardly blame the shop
if the size is wrong. Not saying that happened in this case.

If the tyre burst then it shows that it had been ridden (whatever the
distance), I would guess that they are only obliged to repair it.

If they want to score points with customer service they MAY choose to
refund, but could also offer an exchange or credit note.

To guarantee a refund you must show that the shop was to blame for something
or that the bike was not fit for purpose which it is. They won't guarantee
tyres, and if it is too big then why buy it. They are not likely to give a
refund just because you don't like Halfords.

DaveB

Dave said the following on 21/07/2006 10:30:

Quoted message said:

A lot depends on HOW it was bought.

I have seen parents go to buy a bike or shoes or other things without the
child being there.

I must admit that it hadn't occurred to me that that might be the case.
It just seems so natural to try things for size!

Quoted message said:

If you haven't tried it with your child then you can hardly blame the shop
if the size is wrong.

*IF* that was the case, then you're right - the shop isn't to blame.

Quoted message said:

If the tyre burst then it shows that it had been ridden (whatever the
distance), I would guess that they are only obliged to repair it.

Unless it was a leaky seal between tyre and rim (this was a tubeless
tyre), in which case given the distance ridden it will almost certainly
be dodgy fitting. If it was a puncture, then the OP's brother needs to
buy a puncture repair kit. The OP just says "burst", which is hardly an
accurate description. Did it really go bang?

Quoted message said:

To guarantee a refund you must show that the shop was to blame for something
or that the bike was not fit for purpose which it is. They won't guarantee
tyres, and if it is too big then why buy it. They are not likely to give a
refund just because you don't like Halfords.

I don't have a problem with Halfords! *IF* the bike was sold with the
child present, then it isn't fit for purpose *IF* it really is too big.
Halfords are supposed to advise the parents if it's too big, although
I suppose parents don't have to take that advice, in which case, tough
luck. *IF* the tyre flattened because of dodgy fitting, then it should
be repaired by the shop. *IF* the tyre flattened because it got a
puncture, it should be repaired by the buyer.

There's a lot of IFs there, and as the OP hasn't given us enough detail
to cover every possible scenario there is little point in speculating
about every possible scenario.

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

In article <[email hidden]>
Dave <[email hidden]> wrote:
<snip>

Quoted message said:

If the tyre burst then it shows that it had been ridden (whatever the
distance), I would guess that they are only obliged to repair it.

It's quite possible for a tyre to deflate or blow off the rim without
being used, due to faulty manufacture or incorrect fitting.