Canadian Tire Sucks at Sales - Not Enough Stock - Bait & Switch?
Chris has been busy, on this issue. I hope Santa rewards him ... and gives Crappy all the lumps of coal they deserve!
Chris P.: On 22nd, 2013, a Christmas Tree (Product # 151-1118-0) was supposed to go on sale for 50% off from $269.99 to $134.99. This offer is still currently in this week’s flyer, yet none of your stores in my area bothered to order any stock to be available for this sale. I know this because my wife and I went to a few of your stores in the St. John’s, Newfoundland area a day before the sale was to start to see how many would be in stock for the sale. To our surprise, we were told that none of the stores in the area had any. Also, the store that we were in didn't have any on order to be in in time for the sale.
Please note that this is a violation of section 74.04 (Bait and Switch Selling Section) of the federal Competition Act: “Section 74.04 of the Competition Act is a civil provision. It prohibits "bait-and-switch" selling which occurs when a product is advertised at a bargain price, but is not available for sale in reasonable quantities.”
There is no argument that the inventory was below a reasonable amount as the store had 0 to offer at the time of the sale.
To make matter worse, I am unable to get a rain check for this item which is also in violation of the Competition Act.
After speaking with a representative from your head office, she forwarded me to the fine print on page 43 of your flyer that states that availability may vary by store. The competition act also states that “…use of a general phrase, such as "quantities are limited," would not be an absolute defense under this section”.
After doing some research online I have found that many other people are complaining about similar issues at Canadian Tire. After speaking with the Provincial Consumer Affairs Office with the Department of Service NL, I have confirmed that this practice is indeed illegal under federal and provincial law.
I would like to know why Canadian Tire thinks they can take advantage of its customers with such blatant false advertising. There is no way my wife and I ever had any chance of availing of that sale but it was enticing enough to get us into your store where we proceeded to buy other merchandise.
There is a reason why this type of behavior is illegal in Canada.
As a frequent Canadian Tire customer, I feel cheated and taken advantage of.
Chris P.: On 22nd, 2013, a Christmas Tree (Product # 151-1118-0) was supposed to go on sale for 50% off from $269.99 to $134.99. This offer is still currently in this week’s flyer, yet none of your stores in my area bothered to order any stock to be available for this sale. I know this because my wife and I went to a few of your stores in the St. John’s, Newfoundland area a day before the sale was to start to see how many would be in stock for the sale. To our surprise, we were told that none of the stores in the area had any. Also, the store that we were in didn't have any on order to be in in time for the sale.
Please note that this is a violation of section 74.04 (Bait and Switch Selling Section) of the federal Competition Act: “Section 74.04 of the Competition Act is a civil provision. It prohibits "bait-and-switch" selling which occurs when a product is advertised at a bargain price, but is not available for sale in reasonable quantities.”
There is no argument that the inventory was below a reasonable amount as the store had 0 to offer at the time of the sale.
To make matter worse, I am unable to get a rain check for this item which is also in violation of the Competition Act.
After speaking with a representative from your head office, she forwarded me to the fine print on page 43 of your flyer that states that availability may vary by store. The competition act also states that “…use of a general phrase, such as "quantities are limited," would not be an absolute defense under this section”.
After doing some research online I have found that many other people are complaining about similar issues at Canadian Tire. After speaking with the Provincial Consumer Affairs Office with the Department of Service NL, I have confirmed that this practice is indeed illegal under federal and provincial law.
I would like to know why Canadian Tire thinks they can take advantage of its customers with such blatant false advertising. There is no way my wife and I ever had any chance of availing of that sale but it was enticing enough to get us into your store where we proceeded to buy other merchandise.
There is a reason why this type of behavior is illegal in Canada.
As a frequent Canadian Tire customer, I feel cheated and taken advantage of.
Cheryl G.P.: I also went to a CTC this evening for the Black Friday sale. I was there before 6 pm. An employee came by at 6 and said that the maagert told her he had stacked the item in an aisle and they must all be gone....all before the 6 pm sale even started. Mgr. could not come out and tell us anything, send the sacrifical lamb so to speak instead.....not many in stock for the sale apparently if they were stacked at the end of an aisle in the aisle....none to be seen in anyones carts either. So dissapointed. Never enough stock when CTC has one of these "great" sales....
Jane K.R.: Why does the store have policies set up so people can do these things in the first place!!! If you put something on sale don't put on "special Times" and just issue rain checks for the people who missed out.
I, for one, have decided not to shop at Canadian Tire again until I get a rain check on the pans I went to buy and they wouldn't let me because it was before 6pm.
I, for one, have decided not to shop at Canadian Tire again until I get a rain check on the pans I went to buy and they wouldn't let me because it was before 6pm.
Joanne S.: I went into get one of their great Black Friday specials and behold they were sold out. Ok no problem not surprised but I noticed they did have the product I wanted on the counter at the return desk so inquired was told yes it had been returned but it wasn't processed yet so she couldn't sell it to me! Ya right cause she wanted it for herself! Great customer service! NOT!!
Anton J.: FALSE ADVERTISING! Seriously I have been now three times to CT for an "Upcoming Deal" that I received an advanced notice for since I'm a "exclusive member"....this is the article that I'm talking about http://www.canadiantire.ca/.../folding-dolly-and-hand... Every time I go to one of the CT stores I get the same lame answer "It's on back order, the product is apparently still in China at the manufacturer...WHY NOT JUST TAKING IT OUT OF THE SHOP THEN....Their only interest is to lure you in their store so you buy some other crap that you don't need. DISAPPOINTED!!
Is there an echo in here? LOL!
Amanda L.: Went to Canadian tire on Thursday. I wanted to catch some of the sales they had in the black Fri. flyer. Turns out every store in the area had no stock of anything in the flyer. They only got 1 item of almost everything that they were advertising. Unimpressed!
Amanda L.: Went to Canadian tire on Thursday. I wanted to catch some of the sales they had in the black Fri. flyer. Turns out every store in the area had no stock of anything in the flyer. They only got 1 item of almost everything that they were advertising. Unimpressed!
Edel B.: Just came back from Dalhouise Canadian tire and had the worst service ever. They have a diagnostic tool on sale in the flyer. Sale starts today. Went to the automotive dept and waitied 20 mintues for someone to help us only to find out they never had them on the shelf. He said the computer says they have 5 in the store but they couldn't find them and he said they were probably in a tote box in the back.They haven't had time to unpack the stock. We asked him for a raincheck and he said he couldn't do it as it was on sale. he said if we left our name and number they would call us. Done that before and no calls. We told him we would go to the front customer service desk and see what we could do because this has happened before to us and we cannot keep running up to the store to see if they have unpacked the stock. When we got to the customer service counter we ended up getting a hardware manager. He said he would check and just went to the automotive dept and they told him they couldn't find the diagnostic tool. All we wanted was the a rain check so when they did find it we could come back and purchase it. He came back and said what he could to for us was we paid for it tonight and then he would give us a raincheck, Hmm !! pay 159.99 plus tax and he would give us a raincheck. Don't think so. I asked if there was another manager I could talk to and he pointed over to the customer service desk to lady and then ran off. I finally got the lady's attention and I asked her if she was the store manager and she said she was the sports manager.She said she would call the automotive dept to see what she could do, hmm !! been there done that !! She wanted me to leave my name and number and I told her I would file a complaint on line. Really you advertise something and don't have it and all we wanted was a raincheck so when they did find the item we could purchase it. Wasted a entire hour at that store.
Edel B.: Yup figured I would get a reply like this. already sent it ! Probably nothing will get done but wanted to make sure I could let everyone know what terrible service we received at Canadian Tire
Edel B.: We will see !! You have more faith then I do. Went through this once before with ashely furmiture for 4 months and we ended up losing 1000.00 dollars when we returned the furniture that was damaged when the delivered it. they charge us 25 % to give it back to them. With Canadian Tire we never ended up buying anything because I will not pay for it until I see it.
Edel B.: Yup figured I would get a reply like this. already sent it ! Probably nothing will get done but wanted to make sure I could let everyone know what terrible service we received at Canadian Tire
Edel B.: We will see !! You have more faith then I do. Went through this once before with ashely furmiture for 4 months and we ended up losing 1000.00 dollars when we returned the furniture that was damaged when the delivered it. they charge us 25 % to give it back to them. With Canadian Tire we never ended up buying anything because I will not pay for it until I see it.
Ming L.: If Canadian Tire wish to advertise a correct item for sale that would be great but do not try to tell me that the item for sale is the same as the one advertised in the flyer. reference is the Plano ammo box (size 9 1/2 x 4 1/4 x 6) and Canadian Tire trying to pass off the shot shell ammo box as the one identical to the flyer. I find this very misleading and that the sale staff is telling me that the one advertised is the identical to the shot shell ammo box. It is extremely RUDE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another fine example of a store with a bad history:
Michael G.: I am sick and tired of Canadian tire in st-hubert QC.. Once again they do not know how to label their products and then try to sell you a different product.. Tonight I went in to buy a kurig k40 and they tried to downgrade me to the b40.. When I ask what can you do to solve this problem I get the typical well there's nothing we can do. I even have to show them the solution, sell me the k60 instead seeing as that is the correct way to do business and again we can't do anything for you. Well Canadian tire, your prices may be cheap but so are your customer relations
Michael G.: I am sick and tired of Canadian tire in st-hubert QC.. Once again they do not know how to label their products and then try to sell you a different product.. Tonight I went in to buy a kurig k40 and they tried to downgrade me to the b40.. When I ask what can you do to solve this problem I get the typical well there's nothing we can do. I even have to show them the solution, sell me the k60 instead seeing as that is the correct way to do business and again we can't do anything for you. Well Canadian tire, your prices may be cheap but so are your customer relations
Chantal L.: went in first thing this morning when our local Canadian Tire opened, I think you belong on the naughty list. Very poor customer service. The only reason I did buy my product there was because it was the last one the size we needed. We will be taking our business to Home Hardware starting today.
David W.: ... handyperson? Oh brother! Will these tools actually be in stock, or will it be the usual song and dance of "the truck never came in, want a rain-check? By the way, how about we bait and switch it up? Buy this other model for a hundred dollars more! Oh, and we are sooo sorry we made you, our customers, stand outside in the dark and cold at 7:00am waiting for our store to open, as your drive drove away, only to be told that we do not have what our ad promised. I know we could have at least had on a hot coffee for you, our half frozen customers, who are going to buy all of ouroverpriced products." You know, just saying... You have abused Canadians for so long, most people have just come to expect it. Does your fat-bottomed well fed board of directors even care how poorly business is done?
David W.: ... handyperson? Oh brother! Will these tools actually be in stock, or will it be the usual song and dance of "the truck never came in, want a rain-check? By the way, how about we bait and switch it up? Buy this other model for a hundred dollars more! Oh, and we are sooo sorry we made you, our customers, stand outside in the dark and cold at 7:00am waiting for our store to open, as your drive drove away, only to be told that we do not have what our ad promised. I know we could have at least had on a hot coffee for you, our half frozen customers, who are going to buy all of ouroverpriced products." You know, just saying... You have abused Canadians for so long, most people have just come to expect it. Does your fat-bottomed well fed board of directors even care how poorly business is done?
Clint M.: Is it even possible to purchase the Gerber Paraframe knife listed in this weeks flyer? I Tried to get one at the Shawnessy Calgary location and they were out of stock despite me being there first thing in the morning on the first day of the sale. I then went to the 9940 Macleod Trail Calgary location. They had several in stock however they were regular price and not on sale. Does this location not have to follow the pricing in the flyer? Also both the Shawnessy and 9940 Macleod Trail locations show in stock on the Canadian Tire website and will allow me to order online but not at the advertised flyer price?
David A.: Went to CTC to get angry bird fishing lures by rapala, advertised on both company's web site. Not only do they not have any there are none on order . Hows that for advertising
Anton J.: I have asked several times and all they came up with is that this item is not available anywhere in any of the CT stores in Canada..Again in my opinion take the item out of the online-shop and the adds until this issue has been resolved...
Anton J.: I have asked several times and all they came up with is that this item is not available anywhere in any of the CT stores in Canada..Again in my opinion take the item out of the online-shop and the adds until this issue has been resolved...
James M.: Canadian Tire are a complete joke. Its all about getting the customer in the door. I couldn't find anything on the website over the weekend. They couldn't be bothered to update it for the few days of the sales. These guys have no competition in the market so they just don't care. The only solution id for a serious rival to open up here, then they would pull up their pants and start treating customers with some value.
James M.: Canadian Tire are a complete joke. Its all about getting the customer in the door. I couldn't find anything on the website over the weekend. They couldn't be bothered to update it for the few days of the sales. These guys have no competition in the market so they just don't care. The only solution id for a serious rival to open up here, then they would pull up their pants and start treating customers with some value.
James M.: Canadian Tire are a complete joke. Its all about getting the customer in the door. I couldn't find anything on the website over the weekend. They couldn't be bothered to update it for the few days of the sales. These guys have no competition in the market so they just don't care. The only solution id for a serious rival to open up here, then they would pull up their pants and start treating customers with some value.
Janice K.B.: This a copy of a email I sent to Canadian Tire on Friday. Went in their store again last night to get another producT they had on sale. Low and behold they didn't have that either. And you CAN NOT make a comment on their facebook page unless you are commenting on something that they have posted. Spoke to one of their employees last night. What she told me was that it's not uncommon for them to have the sale items that's in their flyer they usually DON'T have 90% of what's advertised in the flyers. I would call that "FALSE ADVERTISING" PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
SO DISSAPOINTED, Sat down last night to see what you had on sale in your flyer. My Son wanted the STP Limited Edition Rolling Tool Cart. Which is on sale for $99.99. My son checked your website to see what store it was available in. Low and behold it WASN'T AVAILABLE in either of your stores in Newfoundland. So why advertise it in your flyer if it's NOT AVAILABLE. I went to 3 of your stores in St. John's and surrounding area's just to make sure. What has really upset me is that you CAN NOT GET A RAIN CHECK. Isn't that considered FALSE ADVERTISING. A VERY DISGRUNTLED COSTUMER.
SO DISSAPOINTED, Sat down last night to see what you had on sale in your flyer. My Son wanted the STP Limited Edition Rolling Tool Cart. Which is on sale for $99.99. My son checked your website to see what store it was available in. Low and behold it WASN'T AVAILABLE in either of your stores in Newfoundland. So why advertise it in your flyer if it's NOT AVAILABLE. I went to 3 of your stores in St. John's and surrounding area's just to make sure. What has really upset me is that you CAN NOT GET A RAIN CHECK. Isn't that considered FALSE ADVERTISING. A VERY DISGRUNTLED COSTUMER.
Steve A.G.: Canadian Tire is classic bait and switch....every time I go to buy a "sale" item they are sold out....."EVERY TIME". Here's an idea, have more than one item when you announce a sale. And you wonder why people go to Walmart.....also, the self scanners suck. I go to shop and expect customer service...not to work myself.....very unhappy customer
Lately, CT Defenders have been offering the usual excuses, on why it should be ok for them to not have sufficient quantities of items CT advertised as sale-price. This lady is having none of it:
Janice K.B.: Doesn't matter if it's a nationwide flying. If they are putting something on sale, it should be available. And if there are none available in a store even before the sale starts. They should offer a rain check.
Janice K.B.: Doesn't matter if it's a nationwide flying. If they are putting something on sale, it should be available. And if there are none available in a store even before the sale starts. They should offer a rain check.
Kevin B.: Has any one EVER been called to tell you that your "Rain Checked" item has come in ? I've been issued at least 3 of them & waited patiently for the ph call which never came , then went back to store to ask about tentative re stocking date only to find out that it had arrived and been sold to some one else ! First 2 times i gave them the benefit of the doubt .... The 3rd time i asked why do you issue these if no one is in charge of keeping track and calling you when it comes in , i mean why waste my & thier time writing down item info & my contact info when no one follows thru & it just gets put on shelf & sold to someone else ? I don't take a CT rainchek any more , theres no point .....