I don't want to like Halfords. I know that's a bad way to approach a shop, but it's just so cheery…read moreand clinical and not at all how a bike or car shop should be. I like tiny, cluttered shops with befuddled assistants and ancient relics of bike parts. Still, it has to be said, Halfords is pretty useful and has most things you could need. The staff here are more knowledgeable than other branches I've been in, although some know more about bikes and others more about cars. As I know very little about either, I feel they're very helpful without being patronising. They have bikes which are fine for cycling round town, although the suspension and disc brakes are a bit OTT for Oxford, and are rather rubbish. They do oil, tyres, puncture repair kits and all the tools you might need to go with them. They also stock loads of car things: I got everything I needed for driving in Europe here - first aid kit, headlamp deflectors, fluorescent jackets, etc. The own brand stuff is usually cheap, but for things where quality matters, I'd go for better quality, higher priced things. I've heard bad things about their pumps breaking, especially the electric ones. In conclusion: useful but not necessary. The Tesco of the mechanical world.

Always busy, sometimes you wait awhile but service is always with a helpful smile. It is important…read moreto let them know you are on a lunch break. Bought a car radio that turned out to be a bit complicated as I needed extra cables but the unflappable Jason was ever helpful and I got it sorted in the end and didn't mind the hassle. I could gaze at him all day ahem sorry. Great place find everything you need there

The staff are great down here, really knowledgeable and don't treat you as though you're an idiot -…read morePrices are very competitive and if you have an account they will deliver out to you. Great returns service if you order the wrong item - have used Rogers for years and never encountered a problem with them yet.

If you want superb customer service with staff that know what they're talking about then try Avon…read moreMotor Factors. A bit hard to find you have to go down the side of an old garage and they are down the back, but the prices and service are excellent. I've bought several car products and number plates from there.

Good, old-fashioned customer service. That's the sort of thing people like to say when…read morecomplimenting a business on its approach, but to be honest these guys transcend anything I've heard about the good old days. If bending over backwards to help were literal rather than metaphorical, these guys would be able to lick the backs of their own heels I've shopped here many times, almost always for something I don't know the first thing about other than that I need one, and the staff have been unfailingly helpful. They have an impressive selection of auto accessories in stock considering the size of the store and are always willing to get hold of stuff they don't have right now. The downside - if you can call it that - is that the prices aren't as low as you'll find in pile-it-high-sell-it-cheap shops where the staff don't know anything. Likewise, you'll save money ordering things online. But tell me this: faced with a customer who has just spent seven quid on a new headlight bulb, how many store managers would spend THIRTY MINUTES fitting it for them, free of charge? I've met exactly one, and he works at Motorworld in Dursley. Long may you prosper, folks.

NYC Auto Body does 24 hours towing. Even if it's not an emergency. I bought my daughter a brand new…read morecar for her graduation. I wanted it to have 0 miles when she received it as a surprise on graduation day. NYC Auto Body towed it to my home in the middle of the night so my daughter wouldn't know. She was so surprised when she walked outside to leave that morning. She said she didn't hear a thing the night before.

Don't bother phoning! After being pushed around various options, including numerous times telling…read moreme that the FAQs might have the answer, or the chat service, both of which I had tried and which hadn't the answer, I was told to check on line and cut off. Customer service?