Canadian Tire
Reviews and Complaints

I went to Canadian Tire Rylander for the replacement of my car serpentine belt. After replacement I drove my car home but after parking, I heard a seizing sound. I check the car by lifting the hood and found out that it was a freon leak coming from a damage air condition flexible hose. I suspect that the AC hose got damaged during the replacement of serpentine belt. I called Canadian tire Rylander branch to report the incident but the staff just told how come it will happen explaining that serpentine belt is not connected to that AC. I am trying to explain that the hose was maybe hit during the replacement of the belt.

Please consider this message to be a formal complaint and request for Canadian Tire to address what I think is misleading winter tire pricing on your website. My three goals in submitting this formal complaint are for Canadian Tire to:

1. Honour the online $162.99/tire price;

2. Sell me 4 x 235/65R18 Michelin X-Ice® SNOW Winter Tire For Passenger & CUV tires for $651.96 (plus taxes and Eco fees); and,

3. Stop their deceptive online tire pricing.

I searched the Canadian Tire website for 235/65R18 (size) winter tires. I found a few options, and extended the search for Michelin X-Ice SNOW Winter Tire for Passenger & CUV. The search provided me with pricing of $162.99/tire. This is a great price for that size, brand, and model of automotive tire. I confirmed that the search line (URL) included the tire size I was looking for and had not defaulted to some smaller tire that would sell for a cheaper price.

I then noticed that I was not given the option of ordering the tires online. The only option was to Book and Appointment Online. I went through this booking process to see if it would provide me with pricing for the tires and installation service. The booking process only confirmed a day/time/location appointment, with no pricing for the tires or installation service.

I then called the Deerfoot City Canadian Tire store (910 57 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T2E 9B7) directly and spoke to an Auto Centre Customer Service Representative (ACCSR). I told them my situation, and they told me that the Canadian Tire online tire pricing does not reflect the real cost of the tires. They told me that Canadian Tire's real price of 235-65/R18 Michelin X-Ice® SNOW Winter Tire For Passenger & CUV tires is $312/tire, plus GST and tire recycling fees. They further said that no matter what tire size a customer enters into Canadian Tire's online tire pricing website, the quoted price will always be for the smallest sized tire of that make and model. The ACCSR also said that Canadian Tire's online pricing approach ends up causing a lot of conflict at the Auto Centre, as customers come in to have their tires mounted and balanced, and only then discover that the tire prices are much higher than shown on the website.

They confirmed that many customers show their cell phones and the tire prices from Canadian Tire website and are angry that the in-store pricing (which in reality is the only pricing offered) is so much higher than what shows online. They were professional and a bit apologetic, but was also clear that the tire pricing information on the Canadian Tire website is misleading and wrong. There was nothing that they could do.

I then called into the national Canadian Tire customer service telephone number [protected]) to explain the situation and ask if they could do anything about it. I first spoke to a Canadian Tire Customer Service Representative (CSR) and told them about the current situation. They replicated my search, and ended up with the same price ($162.99/tire). They then told me that there was a Canadian Tire website error that resulted in:

1. Inaccurate pricing being shown;

2. No data on availability by location;

3. No indication of extra costs (i.e. GST and tire recycling Eco fee); and,

4. No purchase link to the check-out cart.

I asked if the CSR could contact the Deerfoot City store and arrange for me to buy 4 tires at $162.99/tire plus taxes and fees. The CSR said that this was not possible, and then offered me a $40 gift card for my inconvenience. I indicated that this was insufficient, as the gift card amounted to $10/tire, when the online-store price difference was $149/tire.

The CSR then offered to transfer my call to a Canadian Tire CSR Supervisor (CSRS).

The Canadian Tire CSRS told me that:

1. There was a website error that has been reported;

2. The online price was incorrect; and,

3. They could give me an $80 gift card for my inconvenience.

The Canadian Tire CSRS also told me that the correct tire price could be found online if I initiated a search using the Canadian Tire product number (which is not available on the external consumer website). I told the CSRS that:

1. Searching by product number is not an appropriate solution when the product number is not readily available to consumers using the Canadian Tire website;

2. There was no website error;

3. The search line (URL) included the tire size I was searching for;

4. The online:store price difference of $149/tire appeared to be a well-established and on-going Canadian Tire pricing strategy;

5. The price differential felt like a Bait and Switch scheme;

6. An $80 give card (equivalent to $20/tire) was insufficient; and,

7. I wanted Canadian Tire to honour the online price of $162.99/tire and sell me the 4 tires for $651.96 (plus taxes and fees).

The CSRS said there was nothing else that could be done. I told the CSRS that I was going to report Canadian Tire to CBC GoPublic and to the Alberta’s Consumer Investigations Unit (CIU). The CSRS responded only by asking for my address so that an $80 gift card could be mailed to me.

So, now I am Canadian Tire Customer Complaints. While the above situation describes only my experience, I believe that hundreds or thousands of Canadians are subject to Canadian Tire's deceptive Bait and Switch online tire pricing strategy.

I am asking you to please intervene on my behalf and have Canadian tire:

1. Honour the online $162.99/tire price;

2. Sell me 4 x 235/65R18 Michelin X-Ice® SNOW Winter Tire For Passenger & CUV tires for $651.96 (plus taxes and Eco fees); and,

3. Stop their deceptive online tire pricing.

Thank you for your consideration. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding my request. I look forward to your response.

Yours truly,

Ted Haney

55 MacEwan Park Circle NW

Calgary, Alberta T3K 4A2

Cell: [protected]

Email: [protected]@tedhaney.ca

 

Support Documentation

Canadian Tire Website Search Process and Results

Search Method 1

1. I went to the Canadian Tire Website;

2. Searched Winter Tires, using the In Stock At My Store filter; and,

3. Clicked on Michelin X-Ice® SNOW Winter Tire For Passenger & CUV, showing a price of $162.99/tire (and an Instant Rebate).

Please note that the tire size I was pricing is included in the URL line (see below). This means that my pricing request associated with a specific size and brand - not just a generic search.

Search Method 2

1. I went to the Canadian Tire Website;

2. Searched Michelin X-Ice® SNOW Winter Tire For Passenger & CUV, 235/65R18 showing 3 tire options:

a. Michelin X-Ice® SNOW Winter Tire For Passenger & CUV showing a price of $162.99 each (and a $150 Rebate on purchase of set of 4 tires);

b. Searched Michelin X-Ice® SNOW SUV Winter Tire For Passenger & CUV showing a price of $231.99 each (and a $150 Rebate on purchase of set of 4 tires); and,

c. Michelin X-Ice® North 4 Studded Winter Tire For Passenger & CUV showing a price of $185.99 each;

3. Clicked on Michelin X-Ice® SNOW Winter Tire For Passenger & CUV showing a price of $162.99/tire (and an Instant Rebate).

Please note that the tire size I was pricing is embedded in the search line URL (see below). This means that my pricing request remained associated with a specific size and brand - not just a generic search. Neither search method would let me put 4 tires in the online purchase cart. Instead, there was a link to "Book Appointment Online."

Book Appointment Online

1. Saw the "green" Book Appointment Online link from the order page;

2. Clicked Book Appointment Online link to see if it would allow me to order the tires I wanted;

3. Clicked New Tire Installation and Balancing option;

4. Selected a Date and Time (18Sep2023, 2:00PM) and Entered Contact Information;

5. Review Booking Request; and,

6. Confirm Booking - No indication that the tire price is much higher in store!

I was offered on online survey by Canadian Tire before leaving their website.

I entered the following response:

My online search for 235/65R18 winter tires (Michelin X Ice Passenger CUV) offered pricing of $162.99/tire. An instant rebate was also indicated. I double checked, and the search line (URL) included a reference to the tire size I was searching (not a generic search). The only option given to me was to Book an Appointment Online. I could not purchase the tires online.

I called the store and was told that the online pricing does not reflect the tire size requested, but always shows the price of the smallest available tire in the tire brand/type requested. The Auto Centre CSR (Deerfoot City, Calgary location) told me that the actual price is $312/tire - which is $149/tire more than offered online.

The CSR also told me that the "problem" with Canadian Tire's online tire pricing strategy ends up causing a lot of conflict at the Auto Centre when customers come in to have their tires installed and find out only then that the tire price is almost double the amount quoted online.

This is not a website error issue. This is an ongoing problem that is created by Canadian Tire's online tire pricing strategy.

I want Canadian Tire to do 2 things:

1. Honour the online price for my 235/65R18 Michelin X Ice tires; and,

2. Change your deceptive online tire pricing to one that is transparent and ethical.

Response requested.

Ted Haney

Cell: [protected]

Email: [protected]@tedhaney.ca

 

Screen Shots of Search Process

Search Method 1

Step 1: Canadian Tire Website

URL: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en.html

 

Step 2: Search Winter Tires (In Stock At My Store filter)

URL: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/cat/automotive/tires-wheels/tires/winter-tires-DC0000417.html?automotive=true;count=40;experience=category;hideFacets=delivery_pickup_options%7Csku_application_part_terminology_group%7Csku_application_position;lang=en_CA;q1=*;q2=both;q6=DC0000417;q7=store_available;rq=winter+tires;store=419;x1=auto.vehicleType;x2=auto.application;x6=ast-id-level-4;x7=s.availability;page=1

Step 3: Click on Michelin X-Ice® SNOW Winter Tire For Passenger & CUV

URL: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/michelin-x-ice-snow-winter-tire-for-passenger-cuv-0052089p.html?loc=plp&rq=winter%20tires

Search Method 2

Step 1: Canadian Tire Website

URL: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en.html

 

Step 2: Search Michelin X-Ice® SNOW Winter Tire For Passenger & CUV 235/65R18

URL: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/search-results.html?q=Michelin%20X-Ice%C2%AE%20SNOW%20Winter%20Tire%20For%20Passenger%20%26%20CUV%2C%20235%2F65R18

Step 3: Click on Michelin X-Ice® SNOW Winter Tire For Passenger & CUV

URL: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/michelin-x-ice-snow-winter-tire-for-passenger-cuv-0052089p.html?rq=Michelin%20X-Ice%C2%AE%20SNOW%20Winter%20Tire%20For%20Passenger%20&%20CUV,%20235/65R18#srp

Book Appointment Online

Step 1: Saw the Book Appointment Online "green" link from the search page

URL: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/cat/automotive/tires-wheels/tires/winter-tires-DC0000417.html?rq=winter%20tires

Step 2: Clicked the Book Appointment Online "green" link from the search page

URL: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/auto-appointment.html

Step 3: Clicked New Tire Installation and Balancing option

URL: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/auto-appointment.html

Step 4: Selected a Date and Time (18Sep2023, 2:00PM) and Entered Contact Information

URL: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/auto-appointment.html

Step 5: Review Booking Request

URL: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/auto-appointment.html

Step 6: Confirm Booking - No indication that the tire price is much higher in store!

URL: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/auto-appointment.html

Canadian Tire LaSalle #230 2221 Boul. Angrignon Lasalle Qc H8N 3E3. Cashier:2 09/07/2023 17:12:27 did not ask consent for donation, and charged it directly. When asked for a refund, ignored me until pressed, then directed me to customer service. Customer service cashier:110 representative refused refund of donation, stating I was responsible for it. They reluctantly refunded me after I insisted. Afterwards, the representative Cashier:110 went to gossip with their coworkers about me in French, thinking I could not understand them. It was very rude and bad attitude. Then when I asked about the return policy they said I couldn't return it when I opened it so in that case I got a refund right away.

The women’s washroom was “out of order” . Sign posted to use the men’s single washroom. The toilet was dirty, the toilet paper dispenser was broken off the wall. A large roll of toilet paper was resting on the handrail. There was no soap in the dispenser and no paper towel available.

Friday, Sept 8, 2023 at 1:00 pm

Took my car into Canadian Tire Sylvan Lake 62 Thevenaz Ind. Trail #200, Sylvan Lake, AB T4S 0B6 for an emergency on August 27th around 12pm

We are from out of town and my car broke down on the way to the beach.

We were told that we could leave it there and someone would run a scan on it to see what the issue was. Get a call at 3 pm that it is the starter that went and they need to order a new one and get that installed. No problem, we left our car there and went home with a friend.

Get a call Thursday August 31st that my car will be done just that they recommended changing out some other parts when changing out the starter.. the o ring or something I cannot recall. Sure fine, do what needs to be done to get it on the road. They tell us to come Friday Sept 1st for 12pm. We borrow my moms vehicle to get down there, drive the 2 hours and show up right for 12 only to be told its not done and its not actually scheduled to be looked at until 2pm.. Fine we will go for lunch and wait for the call. No one calls, I call them at 3:30 pm asking what is going on, the response oh we are making progress it shouldn't be too much longer. Instead of sitting at the boston pizza waiting we go to the Canadian Tire. Guy at the counter is on the phone trying to find now another part because yet something else is gone wrong, now its the fuel injector and they of course do not have the part. So they made my pregnant self drive all the way there saying it would be done, only for it to not be done at all, no one even looked at it. It is now Wednesday the 6th and the part is still not there yet and not scheduled to be there until tomorrow. So I will most likely not have my car back until the weekend. They do not take payment over the phone so now I have to find a way to get all the way back there. And I mentioned the guy told me if this was something that the mechanic caused that it would be covered, brought that up with the manager today and she had no idea what I was talking about. Crazy how all these things keep going wrong while its sitting in your shop for almost 2 weeks. My car was not leaking anything before I brought it in. And now all of a sudden it is, and I am just getting the work around. I have never waited this long to get my vehicle back from any type of service. I am super unimpressed.

On August 11th I took my truck in to have four new tires installed. After installation my display showed that the right rear tire had no air but did. The TPMS required resetting. The young tech was very nice he thought he had reset the TPMS but on the way home did it again.

Returned was told by another person I assume was the SUPERVISOR, who tried again to reset and was told I would have to drive the truck 250k it would reset. I did it did not reset. There was also another customer waiting who had the same problem.

I looked at my truck manual, there was an article about how to reset after changing tires. I took this back to the store with me. 3RD TIME. That supervisor was there, I said you have to follow the instructions in the manual. He was very belligerent, raising his voice, said what do you want me to do change all your sensor? I said they all worked when I came in. You have to go through the procedure and reset within two minutes. He snatched the keys away and took off to the truck.

I followed. He got in the truck set the TPMS display went around the wheels with his attachment throw the keys on the seat and took off in a big huff without saying anything. I got in the truck and the TPMS was reset. As he walked away, I said it's a shame that a customer have to come back three times to show you how to do your job. If this is the way your staff treat a customer, they need customer social skills. I don't think I'll be taking my truck in for service again. You can see from my Mastercard that I do purchase a lot of products from CT makes me want to shop elsewhere.

Thank you in advacne Anthony Leonard.

I purchased a bike for my son not even a month ago, road it a few times and the part holding the bearings was faulty obviously because the bearings fell out, I did contact the store and said to bring it in for repair, In my opinion the bike should be replaced and not repaired because it was faulty part, my son shouldn't have to go without a bike while repaired, I am very disappointed in the way this is handled, last bike I buy there

INVOICE # [protected]

After my two phone calls, already made to your head office, I am still waiting for an approval for Elliot Lake Garage to replace all studs on all four wheels on my Ford truck. My complaint was about the over torque of all wheels after rebalancing. Since I had to use a 4 feet long bar, the next day, to loosen the nuts of one tire I know the pounds applied by the garage mechanic was probably doubled. I have asked that all studs be replace and re-torque properly in our Elliot Lake garage because they have been damaged. This was refused by the manager Nate. I am still waiting for an answer from your Head Office. My wheels have become a road hazard.

On Friday at around 5pm my son and his friend went to the Canadian Tire on Eglinton avenue east near Pharmacy Ave.

I would like to explain firstly, that while in university as a teenager I worked at Canadian Tire and have even been in his home on Bridal Path. Thus, I am not an angry client I respect Canadian Tire.

Continuing, my son required a screw to fix a problem with his automobile. When in the store they found a box of 30 screws for approximately 20 dollars. The boy with my son said would they sell 1 screw to us do you think? The boy says let's try. They go to cash and ask if they could pay for the one screw and the cashier says no. The boys made a huge error in judgment and took the screw. The loss prevention employee caught both the boys and put hand cuffs on them. This is actually against the law! Only police can put cuffs. The loss prevention employee also took both boys cell phones. I am sick and was extremely upset when for 6 -7 hours I couldn't reach my son. I phoned the police and every hospital in ontario. You as a loss prevention employee are ordered to use caution when using force. Only police use force and even they are in the spotlight recently when excessive force is displayed.

I am a strong believer that this was handled incorrectly and illegally.

Your loss prevention employee has my sons information! This is illegal. Only police have the right to as name address telephone etc.

What my son did was wrong...even if it's a screw! I did not teach them to do this. On the other hand we my stand up to our mistakes and thus, your employees also made enormous mistakes.

My sons information must be deleted.

You have and you always had employees which they do not get enough training.

Again, my son was 💯 wrong but you must as well apologize. What I went through as a result of your incompetent staff was unacceptable!

1st of all i called on friday the afternoon on the 22nd of july. i had a leak in my ac unit and i wanted them to look for a leak. the gentleman who answered the phone told me that if i came down that evening before closing that they would be able to look at my vehicle. so i drove my car down, gave my keys to some kid who had NO IDEA what was going on. When i gave him my key i literally had to MAKE HIM write down my information on a post it note. the next day i get a phone call from canadian tire asking me why my car was there and if i knew why my side mirror on my roof., obviously, this was news to me as i was under the impression that my car was in their shop for inspectionl. the guy says to me (100% truth) why didn't you wait til monday, nobody here can fix ACs on the weekend. Im like wow that's crazy cuz ur employee just told me to come in asap and that they would look at my AC during the weekend. So yeah my car was left in their lot all weekend and someone vandalized or hit my car. I WOULD NEVER HAVE MY CAR SIT THERE FOR A WEEKEND THATS INSANE. If their employee said wait til monday, that wouldn't have happened. so will they help compensate me? NO they quote me 800-1700 for a new mirror it's my fault even tho they lied to me. so i have to go back the next week to fix an oil leak that they found during the ac leak test i...guess...so anyway this lady calls me on friday and she says and i quote "honey, heres the deal, we can take your car apart today and it will be ready saturday, or we can wait until tomorrow to take your car apart in case we ordered the wrong parts and then your car won't be ready til monday, i said maam take ur time just please have my car ready sunday, she said 100% no problem. i live out of town so i needed my car for work on monday...so sunday rolls around, i haven't heard anything from canadian tire, so around 1pm and call for an update and dude was super rude giving flack for calling saying it's ready when it's ready, so ok. i hang up. still nothing. so 445pm (they close at 5pm) i call and ask if i can come get my car and theyre like no (honestly chuckliing) that not going to be til tomorrow. so i'm hooped again. so i'm a little upset. i went in to ask for an ac leak. a week later i dont have my car, their negligence led to my mirror being smashed etc etc. so i posted a review on the kelowna canadian google site./ they send me a standard oh i want to resolve this give me your info bit. i do, and the next day dude calls me while im working literally trying to work me, like oh i know u wanted this oh i know u felt this...the standard corporate rub while they literally do nothing for u. at this point in the conversation about 5 mins in i tell him im in the middle of shift and i don't have time for this. i abruptly shut him down and i swear to you 30 mins later he calls back leaves a voicemail saying they just took my car out for a spin and know my drivers side is broken. so im tired of writing this. but i went in for a couple buck ac leak repair. 10 days later and 1600 bucks later my passenger side window is busted and my drivers side window is broken. DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR HERE! AND IF YOU DO (DONT) DO NOT POST ABOUT THEIR INCOMPETANCE AND RUDENESS UNTIL YOU GET YOUR CAR BACK OR THEY BREAK YOUR VEHICLE EVEN MORE. My damn engine light came on 20 kms after picking up my car and i don't have the strength to deal with it right now. DONT GIVE THESE PEOPLE YOUR CAR!

Recently bought a propane tank at Canadian Tire in Kirkland, Quebec oh July 3, 2023.

The propane tank in June 2023 had a start date for expiry of 12/21. Best option for $56.99 excluding tax. The only other date available was 2/22. As these tanks have an expiry of 10 years, this is unacceptable. Worse, almost no one at Canadian Tire knew how to read expiry dates. I spoke with the Directeur General, Philippe Cardinal told me there was nothing he could do to adjust price in view of the rank being 1.5 years old!

I was stuck and needed one right then.

I did ask him if he believed one of Canadian Tires key competitors, Costco would no way do this. He cowered, and turned away.

I was at Costco on July 8, 2023. The propane tank had a proper start date of 6/23 at a retail price of $49.99!

Canadian Tire, you should be ashamed treating customers this way!

I replaced the breaks of my Toyota Highlander 2019 in December 2022 at the auto service of Canadian Tire Acadi Branch. Since a week, I started to hear a noise coming from the driver side front wheel. I went to the same automobile service today to check the problem. The big surprise was that the noise is due to the movement of the brake pads! According to the person at the service counter, the brake pads have to be replaced and are covered by the guaranty; however, I have to pay 180$ for labor to install them!

I chose to replace the breaks of my car at this service point because I have trust in the offered service and work of its technicians. Simply I was looking for the peace of mind! Today I was proven wrong! My main question is why this has happened at the first place? This would have exposed my life to great danger! Of course, the person at the service counter told me that he doesn't know! But I have the answer! It is either because the work was not done properly at the first place or that the quality of the brake pads that Canadian Tire is using is very cheap!

To sum up, Today I lost confident in the provided auto service by this branch and I am very frustrated! The replacement brake pads are ordered today and will arrive next week. I have no choice but to pay the 180the labor of their installation, but I will never return back for Canadian Tire auto service!

Thank you for your understanding.

Kamal Bittar

[protected]@gmail.com

Cell.: [protected]