Canadian Tire doesn't honor their return policy?

I recently purchased a snow blower, Jan 6, 2011. The Yardworks model I purchased is a piece of junk. It doesn't blow the light snow, let alone the wet and heavier stuff. CT advertises on their website and fails to mention that this particular model will only blow 4 to 6 inches of light and fluffy snow. This is what they tell a customer after the fact.

I returned to the store where the purchase was made....nothing. I contacted their customer service department...nothing. I've sent an email to someone at head office...not even a reply. I contacted MTD that sells to CT....nothing. They stated that they are not responsible for what or how CT advertises their products.

I have spent thousands of dollars over the past 25 years....no more. I can shop my dollars at many of their competitors. All for a $700.00 piece of junk, they would throw away my business. Conclusion; CT loses and Home Depot, Rona, Home Hardware, Princess Auto, Walmart, Sears, and several others win.

I now know how they got the name "Crappy Tire". I have owned several businesses in over the past 25 years, and if I ever came across a product that saw my customers complaining, I had two choices. I was smarter than CT proves to be....I dropped the product and kept my customers happy.

The problem is that very few people stand behind their convictions. Companies such as CT offer bad service to some, and they continue to shop there. The only way for these idiots to feel the pinch is for all of us who have received bad service, is to stay away and give our hard earned dollars to a company that stands, not just behind their products, but stands beside their customers.

Gizzard1959 said:

I recently purchased a snow blower, Jan 6, 2011. The Yardworks model I purchased is a piece of junk. It doesn't blow the light snow, let alone the wet and heavier stuff. CT advertises on their website and fails to mention that this particular model will only blow 4 to 6 inches of light and fluffy snow. This is what they tell a customer after the fact.

I returned to the store where the purchase was made....nothing. I contacted their customer service department...nothing. I've sent an email to someone at head office...not even a reply. I contacted MTD that sells to CT....nothing. They stated that they are not responsible for what or how CT advertises their products.

I have spent thousands of dollars over the past 25 years....no more. I can shop my dollars at many of their competitors. All for a $700.00 piece of junk, they would throw away my business. Conclusion; CT loses and Home Depot, Rona, Home Hardware, Princess Auto, Walmart, Sears, and several others win.

I now know how they got the name "Crappy Tire". I have owned several businesses in over the past 25 years, and if I ever came across a product that saw my customers complaining, I had two choices. I was smarter than CT proves to be....I dropped the product and kept my customers happy.

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"I have owned several businesses over the past 25 years"

There is a quote that screams out success! I wonder if the customer stood beside you when you closed those businesses out. Google any one of the companies you listed....complaints against every single one of them....seems people are unhappy about their return policies....things like, I didn't have my receipt and they wouldn't take it back, they made me deal with the manufacturer for repair, they sell crappy stuff, etc. etc.

Grow up whiner.....mom and pop shops are gone for a reason...they couldn't compete.

Listen up Junior. I have lost and spent more money than you will ever make. And yes, with providing my customers a well invested service and product, they did stand behind me on many occasions. I have my receipt, and it was just purchased (Jan 6, 2011), and yes, they don't suggest on their website that this piece of junk will only blow 4 to 6 inches of the light and fluffy variation of the stuff we call snow.

As far as you slamming mom and pop shops, and so blatantly miss the point; it's small businesses today, and always have been that run this economy, but you probably didn't know this, as you only make $25K annually, and wouldn't know real money if it bit you in the ass.

As far as your 'whiner' comment. Pretty brave coming from someone sitting in front of a keyboard....stupid coward, not to mention, probably broke. Go back to school and study business, you need to.

how about you get off your high horse Gizzard1959, you stepped in here like you're king shit, when you're the same as the rest of us, a guy behind a computer that can claim anything they want.

If you're so high and mighty in business land as you're positioning yourself to be, you should be easily able to deal with a product you're not satisfied with and get resolution. Instead you've ended up on an internet forum that quite frankly outside of whining to angry customers who are already whining on here, produces zero impact.

as far as your snowblower claim, i suspect an exaggerated story. won't blow light fluffy snow? bs. even $100 electric will blow light fluffy snow. If you want something to clear mounds of snow from a snowplow, you should be on top of a 26" or 30" gas unit at minimum which will run you $1000 give or take.
Is that what you got?

Also in closing, who "doesn't have time to research" but has time to come to a forum afterwards and complain about the quality of the product that they didn't research in the first place?
UYou know what they say about an ounce of prevention....

oh and one last thing... mom and pop shops run this economy? I don't know what economy you are analyzing but i can't think of a more ridiculous claim. mom and pop shops run downtown centers, most of which are typically failing. even in tiny town canada, franchises and national chains are running the show.

this from a guy who told someone else to get a business education? lol

Gizzard1959 said:

I recently purchased a snow blower, Jan 6, 2011. The Yardworks model I purchased is a piece of junk. It doesn't blow the light snow, let alone the wet and heavier stuff.

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Gizzard:

Based on your description alone, I would have guessed that it's a Yard Works. These and other "house brand" product are made Canadian Tire's specificiation, which seems to aim for the lowest possible price, and functionality doesn't seem to matter.

I don't know what province you are in, but most (including Ontario and BC) have consumer protection legistation, which I've discussed here a lot.

If the snow blower is supposed to handle 6" of light snow, but it can't, then the product was "misrepresented", and you are entitled to a full refund. Either this unit was defective, or all units are poorly designed. The exact reason doesn't matter.

You may wish to contact the Ministry in your province for consumer issues. They can investigate complaints, and help you get a refund. The bad news is, you might have to sue the store (as others have reported here).

I went onto the Canadian Tire website and looked at all of their snow throwers......I was surprised to see that there are customer reviews on all the machines they sell with pictures and specifications listed. This poster states that there is nothing on the website that states the machine he bought would not move 4 to 6 inches of snow. Clearly he went on line, why is it then that he can't see the same things as the rest of us. I also couldn't see one that had a plastic impaler priced at $700.00, but that alone would make most people recognize that end of driveway is not it's intended use.
I see why you have "lost" more money than I will ever make. Sorry if I state the obvious, but the issue is with you, not the retailer.....like I said, poor purchasing decision. Lots of people like you in North America.....you know "the world owes me" type...."not responsible for my own stupidity" type....better get with the times, you reap what you sow.
By the way, mom and pop shops do not run the Canadian economy.....most of the one's that are left, are older baby boomers with little chance of a succession plan....not to many takers of an unsustainable business model that has to charge a premium over major retailers. The vast majority just simply won't pay it. But you already know this with your several business failures.

Gizzard1959 said:

Listen up Junior. I have lost and spent more money than you will ever make. And yes, with providing my customers a well invested service and product, they did stand behind me on many occasions. I have my receipt, and it was just purchased (Jan 6, 2011), and yes, they don't suggest on their website that this piece of junk will only blow 4 to 6 inches of the light and fluffy variation of the stuff we call snow.

As far as you slamming mom and pop shops, and so blatantly miss the point; it's small businesses today, and always have been that run this economy, but you probably didn't know this, as you only make $25K annually, and wouldn't know real money if it bit you in the ass.

As far as your 'whiner' comment. Pretty brave coming from someone sitting in front of a keyboard....stupid coward, not to mention, probably broke. Go back to school and study business, you need to.

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CT_MANAGER said:

I see.. So you get bad service in your opinion from 1 store and you decide to boycott the entire corporation, where do you see the logic in that?

Canadian tire many have to eat the cost of the merchandise so there is a code 12 (Customer Satisfaction). Many of the stores are franchised so it's the dealer who has to eat the cost so it's up to that particular stores discretion whether to or not.

Personally if a customer told me that it was shedding features and they had their receipt, I would have no problem giving back their tender paid. If the Canadian tire you went to didn't do that, I would say not to shop at their store but why boycott the entire corporation?

You going to boycott Wendy's because they missed fries in your last few orders?? Where does that make any sense? There is always 2 sides of a story and from what you described it seems you likely are not giving us the entire story. My guess is you were trying to get your tender back for the item without a receipt? That I can see happening where you would then cause a fuss that they would not give back your money... am I right?

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Canadian Tire with hundreds of stores must start to realize that the operators cannot continue to abuse customers with their made at store policies as to accept a return or not. It is up to the corporate office to devise policies and ensure they are followed across the country. The example of Wendy's missing fries comparing to return of shedding feathers is rather poor. If it was a Canadian Tire brand then any Canadian Tire Store should be required to accept the return and refund the purchase price. The litany of unsatisfied customers is totally un acceptable. I recently was charged $160.00 for a new widshield washer reservoir due to a leak somewhere in the sytem. When I discovered the container was in fact the original, the service manager stated "...looks new to me". Pointing out the bolts had never been removed and the hinge for the cap was broken (had been for years) the man replied "... new ones come without caps". Great service. Just because your mechanic misdiagnosed the leak, doesn't give Canadian Tire the right to rip me off for $160.00. CT you will not see this customer again.

a different unregistered said:

how about you get off your high horse Gizzard1959, you stepped in here like you're king shit, when you're the same as the rest of us, a guy behind a computer that can claim anything they want.

If you're so high and mighty in business land as you're positioning yourself to be, you should be easily able to deal with a product you're not satisfied with and get resolution. Instead you've ended up on an internet forum that quite frankly outside of whining to angry customers who are already whining on here, produces zero impact.

as far as your snowblower claim, i suspect an exaggerated story. won't blow light fluffy snow? bs. even $100 electric will blow light fluffy snow. If you want something to clear mounds of snow from a snowplow, you should be on top of a 26" or 30" gas unit at minimum which will run you $1000 give or take.
Is that what you got?

Also in closing, who "doesn't have time to research" but has time to come to a forum afterwards and complain about the quality of the product that they didn't research in the first place?
UYou know what they say about an ounce of prevention....

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You can call it whatever floats your boat. My neighbours, not to mention, my own family have seen this machine in action, or lack thereof. As far as the website. Look for the model priced at $699.00. Yardworks 24" 208cc. You will notice that under features, spec's, or the buying guide, it lists nothing that would suggest this machine will only blow a small amount of light snow. It's also a two-stage engine, as mentioned a 208cc. I don't have a problem with my eyesight. As far as whining goes, it was my wallet I took out, not yours. But of course you are above all that, and then some. You never bitch and complain about a faulty product, or service, you just bitch and whine on various forums?

It also, as you pointed out, I can't remember seeing any information about the impeller being made of plastic, and yet, it's plastic genius.



"Get off your high horse, you came in here like you were king shit, you're just like the rest of us".

Your own words...I rest my case. At least I avoid being condescending, self righteous, hypocritical, and always stay true to my word.

Better check the website once again wise one. As far as me making a poor buying decision, you are absolutely correct. As a customer we often make those mistakes. You should also realize that the customer makes up the most important part of this partnership with any business. The customers will continue to make bad choices, but it's the end result from the companies standpoint that determines what, and where, we continue to shop our dollars.

"By the way, mom and pop shops do not run the Canadian economy.....most of the one's that are left, are older baby boomers with little chance of a succession plan....not to many takers of an unsustainable business model that has to charge a premium over major retailers. The vast majority just simply won't pay it. But you already know this with your several business failures".



I wasn't referring to the corner stores wise guy. I was referring to small to medium size businesses run by entrepreneurs.

i bought a mastercraft compressor and after using it for a few weeks I had trouble with it (it wouldn't reach shutoff pressure and kept running forever). I dug out the receipt and brought it back. CTC return department said I could get another one or upgrade to something else (mastercraft has a 3 year warranty, wow good deal).

I picked out a Stanley compressor/nailer combo that was marked down. The next week I brought it to a house to put trim on and it worked great, a few days later I went to install a door and it wouldn't turn on. There was no visible reset or fuse so I dug up the receipt and went to CTC. After the usual 10 min wait for returns the gal at the desk said she would have to call the manager. after another 10 minutes the CTC Manager came out and said the Stanley compressors would need to be returned to the mfr.

I went home and called Stanley service number and was told this compressor was made by another company and Stanley put their name on it and I would have to go to that third company for service. I was upset by now and the service agent said she could put me in touch with their marketing liaison person. She transfered me to someone and after a few rings I got voice-mail. I left as polite a message as I could with my call back number and hung up.

Then I went to the Canadian tire complaints department and gave them a call. the gal there told me that the ctc store manager was wrong and should processed it as warranty return but she would check for sure. she put me on hold for a few minutes and when she came back she told me to call Stanley and get an RMA (return Material Authorization-they make sure its broken vs I am stupid and didn't forget how to turn it on) and go back to the store for warranty. I called Stanley and they said they did not do RMA's but this time she would try to help me with the issue. She said she would check into it and call me back tommorow. I cant wait, wish I drank because I know this is why people drink.

Tomorrow I will go to Home Depot and buy a compressor from them.

I am 100% Canadian but I will never shop at Canadian tire (many bad experiences with CTC in the past few months - 1) 24" torque wrench that literally fell apart. store was going to order parts to repair... never called me back 2)-8" bench grinder that when assembled has screws touching the stones and the light didn't work 3) two 1.5 year old garage heaters with 3 year warranty that don't work and I cant find the receipt so they wont return) or buy another Stanley product (I have 1)-Stanley Fat Max 4' level that is only level on one side-believe it or not, 2) A Stanley socket labeled as a 10 mm thats actually a 13 mm 3) now I have this nifty Stanley paperweight compressor).

You pay a few dollars more for products at Home depot (American company) but they replace defective product on the spot. You can return anything without a receipt, 10% price match guarantee. 5% contractor rewards, etc. Wall mart another US company has a similar return policy.

FYI I picked up an 8 inch ryobi grinder for 10 dollars more than the CTC one I returned, its so much better, metal arms vs plastic, dual lights, easy adjustment, smoother operation, etc. Husky torque wrench was same price but has lifetime replacement warranty.

QCajax said:

I picked out a Stanley compressor/nailer combo … it worked great, a few days later … it wouldn't turn on … the CTC Manager ... said the Stanley compressors would need to be returned to the mfr.

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Sorry to hear about your poor treatment by Crappy Tire. Your story is typical.

The law in Ontario says that retailers (including Canadian Tire, of course) must provide a refund for a defective product. Nothing in the store's policy can take away this right (it even clearly says so in the legislation).

If you want to keep trying with Stanley, send it for repairs, or get a replacement from CT, that's up to you. However, you might want to go for the refund.

For some reliable advice, I suggest you contact the Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services at 1-800-889-9768. They provided me with lots of useful information.

Also, if you paid by credit card, there’s a process to request a charge-back from them for the defective item.

If you are interested, I’ve been collecting consumer-related web sites that describe all of this. Here’s my latest acquisition:
Other recent finds:
Plus, there are a lot more references contained in this thread:
Be forewarned that a couple of people think they know more than the consumer’s rights advocates and lawyers. Although they have nothing to back them up (except the CT web site), they have been posting here claiming that this is all B.S., and that some terrible (but undefined) event will befall you. One of them confesses to being a store owner, so their motivations are suspect. Plus, how could it be worse than having a big paper-weight?

Finally, if you want to slog through the laws for yourself, here’s a related post:
I hope this is genuinely helpful to you (and that it's less than helpful to the store).

QCajax said:

Tomorrow I will go to Home Depot and buy a compressor from them. I am 100% Canadian but I will never shop at Canadian tire (many bad experiences with CTC in the past few months)

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Good for you. I made the switch a while back, after witnessing an elderly couple being exploited over a defective pressure washer.

I know it's frustrating to say the least. The real dilemma with the way some companies operate, is that they don't stand behind some of their products, and they should. If you sell it and make a profit, you should stand behind it. You should have a relationship set up with your suppliers that benefits you the store, because it's you that sells their items. Stores should learn to stand behind their customers, just as the suppliers should stand behind their customers, which in this case is the retail stores.

I'm a customer; assist me, and then deal with your supplier, as you are their customer. Pretty simple business 101. Treat your customers well, and they will return-don't, and they can always shop elsewhere.

Gizzard, it is no coincidense that all retailers have tightened their return policies over the last few years. I also notice that several brand name products have a big "STOP" sign inside the box that says if something is defective, then call the manufacturer and do not bring it back to the store purchased at. When I questioned why this is becoming more and more prevalent, I was told that 90% of defective returns, are not defective at all. When you hear stories of people getting one over on retailers, remember that we all pay for that somehow. Not sure if you know what the margins are on high ticket items, but they are usually in the single digits....most places sell these items as a service, there is no money made on them at mass retailers.....keeping expenses in line is also business 101.

Gizzard1959 said:

I know it's frustrating to say the least. The real dilemma with the way some companies operate, is that they don't stand behind some of their products, and they should. If you sell it and make a profit, you should stand behind it. You should have a relationship set up with your suppliers that benefits you the store, because it's you that sells their items. Stores should learn to stand behind their customers, just as the suppliers should stand behind their customers, which in this case is the retail stores.

I'm a customer; assist me, and then deal with your supplier, as you are their customer. Pretty simple business 101. Treat your customers well, and they will return-don't, and they can always shop elsewhere.

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I will agree with certain points, but try and remember that most retailers wouldn't survive if they failed to mark-up their goods at least 50%. Most grocery stores will look for a mark-up of at least 25 points. They have to, along with other incentives and promotions. "If you want us to carry your merchandise, we have to make money".

Most clothing retailers will mark up their merchandise at least 200 to 300 percent. Jewelers are in the same position. I purchased a snowblower from CT, which ordinarily retailed for $699.00, but because they were clearing out the overage from their grand opening, had the blowers marked to clear at $350.00. Now, we all know that this particular store wouldn't be selling those snow blowers at a loss, it wouldn't make good business sense-so how would you explain the $350.00 final ticket price?

I used to be in the business of selling to retailers from a myriad of industries, and I can assure you they don't give their stock away, and they certainly mark it up accordingly.

Gizzard, there are many, many times that we would sell stuff at a loss at a CTC store....discontinued items, door crashers and traffic drivers. I'm sure you have heard of loss leaders....a typical mass retail store will have over 100 of these items. Typical margins at a mass retailer are in the 22-26% range...not a lot of room for rent, wages, overhead, freight, etc. If a small retailer wants to charge an extra 30% so that they can deal with the customer directly rather than have to go through manufacturers, that is their prerogative. It's their business model and if customers are willing to pay for it, so be it. Some stores make lots of money, some don't.
I won't lie, I work at a CTC store and if you were sold a snowblower for half price, they took a nice loss on that one. Snowblowers are a loss leader for CTC at regular price.

Re: Canadian Tire doesn't honor their return policy?---VERY VERY TRUE

It is so true. I bought a vacuum cleaner in 10-30 shopping mall CANADIAN TIRE, brossard, quebec. The vacuum was broken, not working for the carpet, even the light was not on. Next day I went back to return, I was told the same thing, NO RETURN, EXCHANGE ONLY TO VACUUM FAMILY PRODUCT!!! I regreted so much I bought it in canadian tire. NEVER BUY FROM CANADIAN TIRE!!! I will tell all people around me too. CANADIAN TIRE SUCKS!!!

Re: Canadian Tire doesn't honor their return policy?---VERY VERY TRUE

Unregistered said:

It is so true. I bought a vacuum cleaner in 10-30 shopping mall CANADIAN TIRE, brossard, quebec. The vacuum was broken, not working for the carpet, even the light was not on. Next day I went back to return, I was told the same thing, NO RETURN, EXCHANGE ONLY TO VACUUM FAMILY PRODUCT!!! I regreted so much I bought it in canadian tire. NEVER BUY FROM CANADIAN TIRE!!! I will tell all people around me too. CANADIAN TIRE SUCKS!!!

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Did you remember to plug it in? Just asking.