Needed discs and pads for our little pug 106 today. Called to trade place and found out there were 4 types of pads. Had to go home, take wheel off, draw pads, put back together and go back down. Got pads but discs out of stock. Went over road got discs. Drove home, wheel off again - discs wrong. Went back down - no discs in stock.

Anyone decided to try halfords. Success - discs in stock. Unfortunately £15 each as opposed to £15 a pair from trade place. I asked for discount but none available without trade card. She rand the discs through on her card and they were less than £8 each! Brilliant i thought, ill take a pair. however cant have the discount unless i have my own card.

To get card ive been told i need payslip from garage i work at (except i dont), professional qualification certificate (my HNC would do if i knew where cert was) and then something with signature on (eg driving licence). I might be able to use works payslip as im in the automotive business except company wont be familiar to Halfords.

So - back to title, how did you get yours. Ive heard people say it was after a word in managers ear to say you do cars as a regular hobby.

maybe you could print your own payslip?

I used my Motor Engineering with motorsports Diploma but i also worked there through my studies so my mates and family have a few doesnt help you though. There criteria used to be in the trade(payslip/certs) or regular DIY people. Might be worth mentioning you build kit cars and would use the service a lot as i gave some of our regulars trade cards.
Adam

Persuading the manager can work.....

Just print up some business cards...always works for me in that kind of situation.

Alan (aka Jim Rockford, for the older ones here)

I had about £500 in vouchers to spend (10 years with my employer bonus thingy) and told the manager I was building a kitcar and he just offered me one. Didn't have to ask.

I think if you are (or at least give the impression that you "will be" spending lots of money there tat will help. On my first visit I stole a trolley from Matalan nextdoor and just wandered in and they soon came over and inquired as to what I was doing.

should have been nicer to the girl on the till

you should have said that you will take her out for a meal in exchange for a trade card. just dont tell her its going to be mcdonalds before you get the card!

surely you could set up as a semi-faux self employed specialist vehicle/builder restorer, couple of business cards and Bobs your uncle. Above board too

It cant be that difficult

Darren are'nt you member of Ne7eners?
Cleveland Kit cars have got a discount card scheme hav'nt they?

letter headed paper thats pretty much all you need

i was told a few months back they used to be given out at store managers discretion, but not any more.

If you're really stuck, joining vauxhall owners network for £15 used to get you one....

i actually work in the motor trade on the component manufacturing side. Can easily take a pay slip and business card. Also have a works presentation that i could easily adapt to read more like an aftermarket motor factors supply company. Just need to find my HNC certificate too as im sure that should suffice.

Im amazed how much they knock off with a trade card and a bit narked how much over the odds ive spent in the last few years when ive needed stuff out of normal hours.

Thanks for help - ive probs got what you have suggested.

The lad who got me mine used to quadbike with me....so he owed me big time
Dont use it as the first stop but rather as a back up for out of hours repairs or dam i forgot to get`s.

I just took a payslip in and maybe my driving licence took 5 minutes.... i heard somewhere that if you wernt spending £1000 p/a then there was talk of revoking your card. I hope this isnt true as its very useful sometimes e.g.
I used it to buy some wedge type sidelight bulbs @£2 normally got them for 40p , also found tools to be quite a good saver!!

batterys are half the marked price as well , the pro tools are 40% cheaper! If you dont get sorted I'll lend you mine , but you'l have to pay with cash. or ring me and I'll order over the phone using me number and you cn pick up and pay u2u my number to you!

Apparently the vauxhall forum members can get them, they have to pay £15 to join the forum to get it though, still if you buy alot of stuff its worth it. Maybe we should try something similar?