Canadian Tire
reviews and complaints

I have been a loyal Canadian Tire Options Mastercard customer for over 10 years. I have only been late 1 time and it was only a few days late on my payment due to being out of town.
A few days ago I travelled to Tampa Florida for a vacation. I booked my hotel, flight and car all through expedia.ca and with my Canadian Tire Options Mastercard. Everything was paid in full. The web site also advised that you need to have $100 available credit on your Mastercard when you pick up the rental car. I paid $5000 through my bank 2 days prior to my trip to ensure I would have the available credit. Well I finally got to Tampa and went to pick up my car and Budget told me that my credit card was declined as there was not $100 available credit. I thought, no problem I will call Canadian Tire and they will sort out the problem and I will get my car.
Problem #1- Canadian Tire is too cheap to have a 1-800# that works in the States. It says to call the 905 # collect if you are out of Canada. Okay fine I try calling collect. The US phone company in Florida is automated - and Canadian tire phone centre is automated so I never get to speak to anyone. I even call the operator and she tries but says it is taking too long to get through and I will have to call direct. So I have to use my credit card to call Canadian tire mastercard and they charge me for the call? Okay now after 30 minutes I finally have a woman named Perri on the phone and I explain my situation -how I am stranded in Tampa on vacation and cant pick up the car because the rental company says I dont have the available credit on my card. Well Perri tells me that i have $80 available credit and they have no way of knowing I just paid $5000 2 days ago. Hello I have been a loyal client for over 10 years with a $10, 000 credit limit. She even talks to her manager and comes back and tells me there is nothing they can do. Okay in this day and age can you believe that Canadian Tire cannot give me a temporary credit limit increase of $20 to help me out -it is not like I am unemployed and cannot afford this - I make close to $100K per year. She suggests that I speak nicely to the rental company and see if they can just take $80 off the card. Canadian Tire financial services' key phrase is customer's for life. Sorry but I just dont see it. If they really cared I think they would have done this for me as there was 0 risk for them and it would have made me a loyal card holder for many more years. Due to this horrible disservice they have done to me I will be passing on this information to all of my friends and posting what happened in as many forums as possible. In this day and age where credit companies are crumbling i would like that companies like CTFS would do everything they can to stay afloat and be competative with the big banks.
Okay I am done with my ranting, I am know going to cut up my card and burn it. Long live AMEX!

On Sept 30th I purchased a convection oven from Canadian tire in Welland, I asked if I was able to check the product before I left the store to see if it was damaged and was told that I could not, so i brought it home and sure enough it was damaged, so I returned it for a refund and then I went to the Port Colborne store and I was able to check those ones there as there was 2 both of them were damaged as well. I also purchased a 20 inch tv in December from the Welland Canadian Tire and it was also Damged very badly and again I was told I could not check the Tv before I brought it home, I have to say that The Welland Canadian Tire has a very poor customer service. Something needs to be done about this. I have been in there for other products too and get the same run around I am not a very happy about this stores practices. Please return your thoughts on this matter.

Deb Anderson.

this is a copy of the letter that I drafted to sent to Canadian Tire Head Office

I am writing to you to give you an insight on how female customers are treated by your automotive service department at the Regina Saskatchewan Canadian Tire North and how they held my car hostage.

On Friday, September 26, 2008, I took my car to your automotive service department at the Canadian Tire North in Regina Saskatchewan to have two winter tires replace on the front of my car. All seemed to be going well, but it was taking forever. Two males were working on the car and they would continually go back and forth from my car to others. When they would come back to my car they would again begin tightening the lug nuts. As they would tighten them the car would lunge forward showing that they were tight. This went on for quite a while until I finally exited the store and went into the service bay through the service bay outside doors asking these two males what was taking so long. They informed me that ALL MY STUDS WERE STRIPPED AND THEY COULD NOT TORQUE THE LUG NUTS AND THEY NEEDED TO MAKE A CLICKING SOUND TO SAY THAT THEY WERE TIGHT. Well low and behold well I was standing there the first one that they tightened clicked. I told them to wrap it up and release my car I would take it to my regular mechanic in Regina and have it look at it before I left town, I live an hour out of Regina. Then I returned into the service department and was confronted by they Service manager, Jim Euteneier. He informed me that they would not release my car to me and that it would remain with them until it was fixed. I refused to have it looked at by Canadian tire mechanics and wanted it released. Finally after phoning my mechanic he agreed to let me have it towed to my mechanic at Moleski Service Centre & Auto Parts Store just a few blocks away.

When I got to Moleski Service Centre & Auto Parts Store they inspected my car right away and guess what there nothing was wrong with my car. They inspected every stud in both front hubs all the lugs nuts torque out fine. I drove home and again had my husband re-inspect the tire’s lug nuts to ensure that they were indeed tight and he also could not find any thing wrong with them either. I don’t know what your company is playing at but I am going to inform anyone and everyone that will listen to me. I have written to our local paper and also have contacted The Fifth Estate, CBC Television. I think this would make an excellent informative television piece. I have it in writing from you service manager, Jim Euteneier, at the Canadian Tire North Store that and I quote “There is a problem with all of the front wheel studs. They will not torque correctly. The wheel nuts continue to turn as we try to tighten them. There may be a possibility that the wheel studs are stripped in the front hubs. Cust has to have the car towed away because she refuses to have repaired at Canadian Tire” and a copy of the receipt from my mechanic stating that “check front wheel studs – tightened ok”.

I think that it is appalling that a customer should have their car held hostage to your demands. I get a sinking feeling in my stomach every time I think about the experience your place of business has put me through. I was at the mercy of your mechanic and would have had no way to prove that the work they “said needed to be done really needed to be done”.

Totally upset and humiliated

I am a canadian tire customer. I shop at your stores and use your gas bar towards a two cent gas saving, as I have the advantage gas card. Over the last month I have been checking the price of your gas compared to other gas servers. I have been calm and patient with regard to what I uncovered. I do not know whose fault what I found, but hopefully it can be resolved for all customers like myself, who figure they are saving money by purchasing gas with your gas advantage card. We'll I feel that people are getting ripped off or you are gouging your customers. I don't want to get carried away with what I uncovered, so I will just give the facts of a couple of instances of what I am trying to get across. On sunday, September 21/2008, gas at your station was 118 per litre. I drove around in the area, no more than a mile to a mile and a half and found gas at Shell, plus other not so well know gas stations selling at 115.8 a litre. On Wednesday, September 24/2008 your gas was 116 a litre. Shell and several others were 113.9. I purchased gas from your company on that day and regret I did. I figure I was saving money by using my card, I guess not. I am better off paying cash for my gas or using their conpanys card. I do not know who monitors your companys competition gas prices, but whoever is should put a more respondsible effort into it. Presently as of yesterday I have no intention of using my gas advantage card or purchasing gas from your company until this issue is resolved. I feel like your company has been cheating me for the years that I used my card. Do you blame anyone from becoming angry after uncovering something like this. I still believe and many more of your customers would certainly agree that you match the lowest price of gas within a mile or two, and yours should be the same, or better still point something lower. Do you want more customers or do wish to contiue to lose them. Like I mentioned above I will not purchase gas from Canadian Tire until this issue is resolved. I would sooner drive the extra mile or so to know that for sure I am actually saving money on my gas purchases. Hopefully this issue can be dealt with quickly as I do not have anything personal against your company as a whole, but this kind of thing makes me think I am being robbed as a valued customer. I will await for a reply from, I guess one of your reps or spokesman on this matter. I truly hope it can, as I do not wish to expose it any more than what I have done. Try to have a wonderful day and I will wait to hear the outcome and hope the correction will be made.
Thanks so much for listening to my complaint.
We will talk soon.
J

I and my Mother took her 2001 Focus into Cdn. Tire because the parking brake was not working. Car was dropped off at 10:15 in the morning. Cdn. Tire did not call my cell to give us a price for repair until 1:45 p.m. At that time they told us the price would be $1065.89. We were in shock and rushed as quickly as possible back to the shop. Cdn. Tire said there was other things wrong with the car, like the rear breaks needed shoes, there was a leaking break cylinder and a front bearing needed to be replaced. They rushed us because it was now nearly 2:30 in the afternoon. My 72 year-old mother authorized them to work on it, trusting them, that they were not ripping her off. Two weeks later, the parking brake failed. At that time, I looked the bill over thoroughly and realized that although they worked on the car for 2-1/2 hours, they charged my Mother 7-1/4 hours labor which was $635.31! I have been fighting with them all week to refund my Mom the 5 hours labor they stole from her! I have been lied to, yelled at, avoided and put off, in a word abused in my battle to protect my Mother! I went to the Ministry of Government services site and read that they have to explain labor charges and how they are calculated on the invoice. Canadian Tire just says they have implemented the "Mitchell" system of pre-determined hours for a job and that is just the way it is, too bad so sad. Well, My Mom, my family or anyone I know has heard of this system and it was not explained on the bill. I'm not sure what I will do next, but Cdn. Tire should not be able to get away with this scam! They are the most hateful group of people I have ever run across and are determined they won't give an inch. No one would care that my 72 year old Mother, on her old-age pension, will have to find a way to pay for all this work and labor hours that were never put in... not to mention a corrupt system that allows a 2-1/2 job to be billed as a 7.14 hour job!

Any advice would be appreciated!

I purchased a Yardworks cordless 24V lawnmower last year at Canadian Tire and the battery went dead after one season. I have been trying to purchase one all summer and the poor customer service at their parts supplier is astonishing. After the purchase by phone I was informed two weeks later that the shipment had been turned back at the boarder (I live in the U.S.) due to them using the wrong method. It took them one month to attempt a reshipment and now I am still waiting for my battery. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MOW MY LAWN ALL SUMMER. When I called to complain they said there is nothing they can do for me.

I WILL NEVER USE ANY PRODUCT FROM YARDWORKS OR CANADIAN TIRE AGAIN.

Canadian Tire advertised a three day special last weekend. They were offering an oilchange with sythetic oil and a filter for $29.95.

I live near Sechelt, but I planned to be away in Vancouver for the weekend. I aksed the stor in Sechelt if I could purchase the special in North Vancouver and get the oil change is sechelt when I returned home. They indicated that this would not be a problem.

When I went to the Canadian Tire store in North Vancouver on the Friday of the sale, I was told that they had not received their card vouchers for the oil change. I spoke to the General manager and he gave me his card and initialed it with the comment "Valid for Formula 1 100% synthetic L.O.F. at $29.99" on the card. I paid the required amount plus taxes.

I went to Sechelt store for my oilchange and was told I would have to go to North vancouver because it was store specific.

I complained bitterly to both the Sechelt and North Vancouver stores to no avail. Now I must make a special trip to North Vancouver to receive the service for which that I paid.

After only having a bike for a month several items were not working; brakes, gears, handle bars loose, paint peeling, and many other things, took the bike in to get repaired and they said it was because we were to rough on the bike. Then they did fix it and when we brought it home there were other problems that did not exsist until they had it. And I also got charged for labour for them to fix something I only had for 1 month. So I took it back again the same day to get other problems fixed and said I just want it returned, and of coarse they said it was policy not to return any bikes, so my advice to others is to buy your bike at a store that a warranty policy you know is going to work. I will never buy another bike from Canadian Tire!

Bought the Yardworks Cordless Electric Lawnmower at end of season last year, used it twice this year (could barely cut the grass and would not hold a charge, and now it won't do anything though the light indicator on the side of the mower says that it's fully charged. In other words it's a lemon. Tried to return the mower to Canadian Tire but of course they gave me the popular song and dance of shirking responsibilty for the product and basically telling me to contact the manufacturer directly. It's obvious this product is faulty judging from the growing list of complaints found on the web. Canadian Tire should own up to the products it sells and if they are faulty, then return the money to the people who bought the piece of junk! Tired of being kicked in the groin by "customer service"! Enough already.

I have a Yardworks grass trimmer that works on a 24v rechargeable battery. Problem is, the battery is still good but the charger does not. Funny thing is, Canadian Tire sells replacement batteries separately but not replacement chargers. In order to get a new charger I would have to purchase a new trimmer. I wonder if this is sly marketing and cash grabbing? I am very disappointed with Canadian Tire and have been many times in the past - both with the rude service staff and the cost and quality of their products (one small example - a cigarette lighter costs over $10.00 in 2008 - in 2007 it cost under $5.00. I will no longer shop at Canadian Tire.

I visited the canadian tire store at centre mall in hamilton asking for assistance with a bathroom plumbing problem. The clerk, scott was arrogant, disrespectful and sexist. His response to me when I couldn't perfectly describe the plumbing problem was: "well all I know is that somewhere in the world there is a pipe with a hole in it that needs to be fixed" this was said with a disdainful and sarcastic tone. When I complained to carol, the store manager she chuckled and said:"oh that is just scott's sense of humour" I found this remark dismissive and condoning of his outrageous behaviour so I then called al cunningham (Who is a long way from richie's nice dad...) al said he was sorry and said he would "interview them" and also told me he has never had any complaints about scott before and he was a long time employee. I interpreted that to mean that I was somehow an isolated complainer whose opinion must surely be erroneous. This whole system strived to make me feel disrepectfed and my concerns irrelevant. I compare canadian tire to the home depot who give courses in home repairs to the outdated 1950's style customer service of this inadequate chain store, canadian tire where my friends, family and I used to shop at. Oh and by the way, mr cunningham didn't even bother to ask my name or contact information so I guess i'll just have to assume that he 'gave a good talking to to scott about the little lady who made a complaint'
I't's no wonder big name american stores like lowes are making it a success in canada
Booooooo canadian tire!

Found the Canadian Tire customer service very very rude.I bought a faucet for my kitchen sink, but it was too big and i decided to return it. since i was working I was not able to return it before 5 days that I pursued it. After common customer service questions, the customer service rep opened the package to make sure everything is in package. Then she took the faucet out of package and banged it so hard on the table. By doing this few water drops came out, she got so mad and accused me of not being honest. She was going on and on about it that how home i am not telling the truth! I explained it politely and tried not to interfere with what she was doing. She kept checking the manual and readind it for few minutes. I was standing and waiting for my money to be returned with my receipt in my hand. After a few minutes she started again, by telling me that she has to check it again since company might not take it back and... so on. I said, i never seen such a customer service, people returning the broken stuff! She said, it's because u used it! And she called somebody else to come and finish the return (she just could not handle it with nooo reason) a gentleman came, and I asked for manager. He claimed to be a manager, however, he did not have any name tag or title! I explained the situation.He said that he will talk to lady(still no apology yet). At this time phone rang, the gentleman went to picked up the phone (while there was another lady in customer service who could have done it). He gave me my money back while still on the phone and I left. That's how you will be treated in Canadian Tire in the following address:

11388 STEVESTON HWY
SOUTH RICHMOND, BC
V7A 5J5
Phone: [protected]

You don't believe me go and see!

In 2007 I purchased a car battery, I discovered that the battery does not hold a charge, I went back to Canadian tire Kanata Location, to inform them with my issue with the warranty and receipt papers, they tested the battery for 2 hours, and the test results that this battery is defective. At this time I was walking around the store and shopping from the kanata location. At that time I had moved into new house, and I was buying a lot of things, for the house to renovate etc... plus a GPS system $350 plus tools for the car that I never used yet etc... I used to spend over $300 average a week at Canadian tire location for over 4 months.

On the same day I spoke to customer service, at the auto-parts department. The manager claimed that he can not exchange it for me and he does not have another replacement battery, because another client was there on the morning of the same day and they searched for the same battery and they could not find it.

I stayed there for over that hour just calling for my rights to exchange the battery and reminding the staff of the Canadian tire policy for exchange and replace a defective battery. They refused to help me, because they do not have another batter in stock, I was told go to another location "Bells corners" they might have one or the "barhaven" location. I refused to believe that they do not have another replacement battery, for a brand of batteries that only Canadian tire have access to or owned by Canadian tire stores.

I went by my self the shelf of batteries, I searched carefully and then I found the same brand and model of the battery that I have. I called the manager and I pointed out the battery, and then I requested again to exchange the battery for me. Finally they did honor the Canadian tire policy, and they accepted my request to exchange the battery. The total amount of time and frustrations was over than 4 hours, from the minute I walked in with a defective car battery to the time they exchanged my battery. I continue to be loyal customer to Canadian tire, kanata location.

Later on I discovered that the second new battery was also defective and does not hold a charge. I went back again. At this time, as a repeated client for the same problem, I already know where the battery testing machine is and where how to connect it and test it. I went strait to the location where they test the car battery and I called on a staff member. A young employee with full of energy, hooked up the battery to be tested, and told be the that to come back in 2 hours.

I came back to find out, what I already know that this second battery is also defective and does not hold a charge either. A yellow sticker note was attached to the battery indicating that battery defective. I carried this to another near by desk to exchange it, but the have over 15 batteries is stock. I spoke to a manager at the car part service area. they requested my receipt. I looked for my receipt, I did not find it at that time. I went home, searched, and searched, I couldn't find it.

The battery receipt just disappeared. I went back to Canadian tire, kanata location, I spoke a manager there, he said sorry my friend I need you receipt other wise I can not do any thing for you. I continued talking to the manager. He offered me $10 for the battery and I will have to buy another battery. I did not take the offer.

He offered me something else, he said:" give me your battery, but take the top sticker from it, and keep it somewhere safe, and whenever you find your car battery's receipt you will come back and we will deal with it, because you really do not need the battery to clam your refund you need the top sticker number with the receipt that matches the same number of the sticker and I will deal with it." he added : "At the mean time I will you have to buy another battery and pay."

I did not feel that it is right to pay for another battery where the defective battery still under warranty. I told the manager please look into your records, search your database under my phone number, and you will see that truly I purchased the battery from your store from this cashier just two months ago.

The manager searched the database and truly under my name there is a receipt indicating that at the car service department, I have purchased a battery with all dates and number to validate my clam. With original receipt in the database, and the battery number is there, they refused to serve me and exchange the battery for me. We ended up the conversation at the point of, I buy and pay fully for another battery and they will refund me when ever I find my receipt. I agree and I took the offer.

After two defective batteries in a row, and some other client on the same day returning a battery, so I lost trust of buying batteries from the same Canadian tire kanata location, because I did not have good experience using their batteries at that period of time and this specific location. Do not you? I went a cross the street to a Wal-Mart store and I purchased 3rd batter in just few months. the Wal-Mart batter still doing very very good and I have no problem with it.

After few months, the Canadian tire battery is sitting in my garage. I decided to do something about it, either I recycle it or I look for the receipt before I do so. I searched the house extensively, for two days. I found the receipt. Great. I went back to the Canadian tire location in Kanata. I called for the store manager and a tall manager with name ADAM came, I spoke to him, he investigated the receipt carefully, he verified the numbers, and he found that I am in title for another battery, I told him that I have bought another battery from Wal-Mart, and exchanging it does not do me any good.

He said:"bring me the Wal-Mart receipt and I will give you full refund."

I said: "Are you sure?"

Adam Said: "YES! I need a receipt to photocopy it and to show them a proof of purchase." He pointed his finger up, and he looked up while he is saying this to me. I understood that he wants a proof to show his superiors that he is doing his job properly. I agreed, I left very happy, on Monday June 2nd of 2008, at 6:30PM. I came back on the June the 3rd, the next day and I asked for Adam, the store manager. Some one else with name ALLAN, shorter than the manager that I met on Monday, I said: "Sir, I was here yesterday, it is a really long story, I want to cut it short, If you can call the other manager Adam for me please?"

He said ok, he called ADAM, on the phone and ALLAN, started harassing loudly ADAM on the Phone, saying loudly: "I told you that you can not do this."

ALLAN added : "NO! NO!"

and then ALLAN said to ADAM on the phone :"I AM YOUR MANAGER, YOU DO WHAT I TELL YOU TO DO!"

and then ALLAN added: "YOU CAN NOT DO THIS!"

ALLAN hanged up the phone and ALLAN turned up to me saying:"So, this is the mysterious Battery receipt that all the sudden surfaced up?"

I said :"Well, I had to search the house for two days, because I needed this issue behind my back."

Allan said: "I am the Store Supper Manager and MY decision will over rider Adam's decision and this battery will be refunded, it will be exchanged."

I said: "well sir, by doing so this battery does not do me any good. because I have no use for it, Would you please honour Adam's verbal agreement yesterday, and refund it to me, I do not care if the money was Canadian tire money, I would like to spend the same amount of money in your store. but not on battery."

He said that : "there is no difference between the Canadian tire money and real money!"

Yhen I said but what Adam had told me yesterday is different and it means that it is do-able that you can refund batteries.

He said:"Yes, it could be done, that is a special treatment, but you do not look like special."

Then he added asking me: "Do you want to be treated special?"

I said :"Yes! I am a good client to Canadian tire".

Then I listed few expensive items I purchased of the kanata location, including $350 +tax GPS system and $100 tools, and list went on and on etc... I told him you see some service was done on my cars. He searched the database and he said : "Yes, I see your name, $100 on this car, $150 on another car ..." He started shaking his head and adding in very sarcastic way:"NO, NO, HA HA HA !" and then:"What is this $100 here and $150 there not good. not good at all, NO! NO, HA HA HA!"

I finally decided to take the new battery but continue to call for ADAM's decision and the Previous manager decision which is when ever I find my receipts I will receive full refund.

Thank you,
M.F.

The following letter contains events that happened at the Canadian Tire south, located at 2510-50 ave. Red Deer, Alberta.
On April 26, 2008, I brought my PT Cruiser in to this location to take advantage of the “deal” at Canadian Tire where I purchase tires and receive a free wheel alignment. I received the tires. Terry Hogan put them on and also made the deal with me. First, I was lead to believe these tires were priced at 89.00 each- I paid 97.86 each. I also paid for the labor and other things until the bill came to 518.97. I didn’t expect that but I paid it. I was then told that I would have to bring my car back for the wheel alignment. Three days later I’m still trying to get it into the shop (after traveling 2 different days into Red Deer from Bentley, hoping they would fit me in somewhere). I tell “ Dan”(the name he gave me- @ 22 years old, very rude) that I put a lot of miles on my vehicle and would like the “free” wheel alignment done. He finally told me to bring it in at 3 pm. I did so and met “Dan”. He told me my alignment would take 2 hours (Terry told me ½ hour). I told “Dan” that “my” mechanic said it would take only ½ hour. “Dan” was not friendly. Fine- I needed my car done. He told me to pick it up at 5pm. I left him my cell # so “Dan” could reach me if there was any problems, etc. At 4:52 pm. He calls me and says that the Tie rods and the bushings need replacing (843.53$). I was just steps from the door of the store and went in and asked “Dan” how he figured that. “Dan” got feisty again. I ended up leaving without a wheel alignment, very embarrassed because of his tone (a couple of children were standing there) and he also told me I couldn’t have a wheel alignment until I got this work done. My car had just come from the shop and my mechanic told me that all I needed was new tires and an alignment. I had shopped around and found that Canadian Tire seemed to have the best deal and also I thought they would treat me well (there seems to be a problem when a woman goes to certain mechanics). I brought my car to my mechanic, again, he put it up on the hoist, again and said there’s nothing wrong- again. After missing days of work (because my vehicle is my job), no wheel alignment and spending way more money than I could afford---I am now writing to you. I usually don’t complain and I don’t know if you can do anything about this but I thought it was something you would want to know. My husband nor I will not shop there again.

Thank you for your time.

We bought a Bayside Play center at Canadian Tire. He had to wait at the store for over half an hour before anyone could locate this product. When the stock boy brought out the product my husband told him it did not look like the right one. The stock boy assured him that it was the right one and he had double checked the item numbers.
My husband proceeded to pay $1, 199 for the product and drove it home.
As we looked at the boxes, we discovered that we were given boxes from two different play centers that did not match, and neither one was the play center we had requested. My husband was very upset because in the store he had insisted it was the wrong play center and the staff brushed him off.
The store would not offer us any solution except to return the product on our time and money. We live over 100 kilometers away and had to borrow a friends truck, so to return it we had to borrow vehicle, spend money on gas, and waste our whole day. And they would not even give us a discount or store credit. They were so rude to us about it, and we will never shop there again.

I took my 2004 civic in to get them to replace the wheel stud a $2.97 part and was quoted 1/2 hour which should come to about $50.00 when i returned to canadian tire an hour later they said it took 2 hours and charged me $200.00. I phoned the manager and he said them are the rates and there is nothing he could do about it and then hung up. I phone about 15 other shops and most of them said $30.00 max highest was $50.00.

This is absolutely ridiculous. I hope everyone stops going to canadian tire.

After purchasing a Yardworks lawn tractor I was unable to have a spare ignition key cut for the product. The tractor was bought at this location yet they were unable to cut me a spare key or tell me how to obtain one.