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Buying snowchains en route from Geneva

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Heading out to Geneva today. Looks like there could be a lot of snow in Val D'Isere on Monday. We drive back to Geneva on Wednesday evening with a few more cm of snow expected. So there's a chance we could need snowchains. I'm reluctant to rent a set because it's more expensive than buying the cheapo ones.

Anyone know of a French equivalent to Halfords we can pick up a dirt cheap set? I'd try bringing them back and reselling to recover most of the cost.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
From French sector of airport turn left (away from runway) then right at two roundabouts. Shopping centre with Feu Vert = French Halfords
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@pam w, thank you Smile Smile And this is why I love snowheads.
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 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
Also, 2 years ago the super u at Bourg had lots.
Probably no good if your car has not-so popular tyre size.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
LittleBullet,

Carrefour in Moutiers also sell them, as does Geant (the large supermarket) in Albertville. Very reasonably priced as well. As you say, cheaper than renting them wink
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
@LittleBullet, Assuming you are flying and renting a car. Buy snow socks in Halfords in UK, if unused take them back and get a full refund Very Happy
Only flaw in this plan is if you get a free upgrade of hire car Embarassed
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Thanks everyone, few back up and there too. Hadn't thought of the Halfords idea, one to try another time. Has anyone tried taking snowchains on as hand luggage?
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
LittleBullet wrote:
Thanks everyone, few back up and there too. Hadn't thought of the Halfords idea, one to try another time. Has anyone tried taking snow chains on as hand luggage?


not worth the risk as you can never 100% guarantee the exact car you have - even if its the same make/model it could be a different variation. You could also end up with a free upgrade, as they had resold you car.


Unless you plan on taking them back if you do not use them, then it may be less hassle to just rent some.
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 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
LittleBullet wrote:
Thanks everyone, few back up and there too. Hadn't thought of the Halfords idea, one to try another time. Has anyone tried taking snowchains on as hand luggage?


Recall metal snow chains ( normal type) were contentious when someone tried to include in hand luggage on past posts. Thought they had to leave them coming back.
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Likewise any Roady - just make sure you have the tyre size written down, it can be a bewildering array of numbers on the boxes
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
I wouldn't risk taking something which might not fit the random car I was given by a car hire company! And if picking up a car with chains in the boot, it's worth checking they actually fit - they sometimes don't!
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
@pam w, snow socks fit a wider range than chains but if the hire co doesn't change the car too much the odds are in your favour
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Stop at the grocery store.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Une épicerie quelquonque Laughing
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Be sure that your model of vehicle can actually take chains without damaging the wheels and components. If it's a performance, luxury or 4x4/SUV the fitted 'summer' wheels spec' may preclude chains. If it's a routine saloon/estate it's probably OK, but check in the manual. Just because a chain set can be fitted to a particular tyre size doesn't necessarily mean that it's OK when that tyre is on a particular vehicle. It all hinges on having plenty of space between the inner side of the tyre/wheel and the suspension, brake lines (and steering if it's FWD) - the tyre size of itself doesn't tell you this.

Also, some chain sets will show they fit a surprisingly wide range of tyre sizes. For some, you have to tinker with the links themselves to extend/reduce the circumference. Which is not something you want to be doing when you're actually trying to fit them. I had this with the latest set of chains I bought in the UK - it took about 25 minutes per set to adjust the chains to fit my particular wheels. So if you do buy new chains - in the UK or abroad - read the instructions carefully to see if they need this sort of initial adjustment. So if the chains you're looking at fit only a narrow range of tyre sizes that's potentially A Good Thing.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Was a bit touch and go but we managed to find snow chains at Geant in Albertsville, Carrefour and Feu Vert were both shut by the time we got there.

Rather than paying 55 EUR to rent a set I am now the proud owner of a pair of France's finest 185/55-15Rs for 29.99 EUR.

I'll update you on my disposal strategy later this week.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
LittleBullet,

Great result! €25 saving for starters. Very Happy
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Went to the supermarket on the way home, didn't use the snowchains so simply returned them for a cash refund. Smile Chuffed. Thanks everyone!
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 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
I bought chains for our hire car from Feu Vert in Carcassonne en route to the Pyrenees last year. We ended up not needing them but Feu Vert wouldn't refund (or even credit note/exchange them)...they did point out a big 'no refund ' sign that I had failed to notice when I bought them.
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