Canadian Tire Sucks at Sales - Not Enough Stock - Bait & Switch?
Sheri C.: My mom and daughter went into Canadian tire today to pick up a hockey net for Christmas. They were sold out wouldn't give rain check and they asked for the display one but they wouldn't do that either??? Not very accomdating or helpful. Old customer service would of called another store etc..... I miss customer service
1wildhorse
New member
canadian tire sucks at....CUSTOMER SERVICE
David B.: So I went to Canadian tire on Smythe St in Fredericton today. I'm getting so frustrated with Canadian tire advertising sales and never having stock. My wife even went before xmas to buy me a tool set that was advertised for the next day... there wasn't any in stock. The store clerks even told me that the flyers are done up way ahead of time so the store could order enough product if they wanted. I don't like rain checks... today I went in to get a air tool kit that was on sale today and get the above promo card as well.... guess what, they didn't have any and I was there 1hr after the store opened.. I got a rain cheque but it doesn't qualify me for the promo card. Craftsman tools are starting to look better every day.... I have even written Canadian tire customer service before and no one has ever gotten back to me. In fact the owner of this store lives at the end of my street and laughs when I tell him my stories and says he doesn't make money when I buy things on sale... great customer service... Home Depot and Sears are looking like my new tool places... I just picked up a 1200.00 snowblower today from Home depot because of Canadian tires poor customer service and never having any stock.
Rob M.: Shur and what are they going to do promise they will try to fix the problem I gess some one for got to place the order for Christmas as the boy at the sports counter told me that all was on back order for 2 or 3. Weeks so not onny me but any one else looking for these items where out of luck so don't advertise what you don't have , I have been a loyal customer at your stores for over 30 years is it me or is every thing gone to the dogs
Rob M.: Went to the store in Newmarket nothing there not even a slippery carpet very sad can't buy my 14th month old grandson a sled on saterday to let him have a ride , WHATS UP CTC
Rob M.: Went to the store in Newmarket nothing there not even a slippery carpet very sad can't buy my 14th month old grandson a sled on saterday to let him have a ride , WHATS UP CTC
Gary N.:
Really annoyed with you guys at CT. This week you are running a promotion on a ground ice cracker, so I went to the oshawa store (being the only one that showed stock in this part of durham on the app) only to be told all stores in durham are "out, dear". It's one thing to be out of salt (that shows very poor form, winter started last month!!), another to be out of ice scrappers (this is ridiculous, they appear in the flyer and you can't get one for love nor money) and the most insulting and difficult thing is to be called "dear" (to add insult to injury).
When are you guys going to improve your supply chain operations so that they accord with the promotions you have had planned for weeks!!???!!! Wouldn't mind if it was a drill, but "essentials" for winter. I rely on the mighty logistical intellect of CT to ensure supplies are to hand to deal with extreme weather such as ice storms and seriously low temperatures...come on CT, get your act into gear, get salt to stores and ice scrappers when they are being promoted! Get those trucks full and get deliveries to your customers before we turn to the grocerers (esp sobeys) that seem to have their "stuff" and supply chain operations together.
Of course, I could be sceptical and think you folk are holding back as they will be off promotion next week, and you're get 100% more money for them next week, it's a disgrace if this is the case!
Rant over CT - just ruddy well fix the problem quickly and let me know when the stock is available at the promotional price across the durham region (specifically oshawa!)
Gary N.: I thought it might be a more proactive approach to let me know when the two oshawa stores are going to have the stock on hand to satisfy my requirements, perhaps you've never tried calling the "local store" and expecting a clear and forthright factual answer. Seems no one knows what the heck is happening and the customer is expected to do the legwork?
Be careful if this represents the height of the canadian tire experience, it won't last for long as other retailers will catch you with your pants down!
Really annoyed with you guys at CT. This week you are running a promotion on a ground ice cracker, so I went to the oshawa store (being the only one that showed stock in this part of durham on the app) only to be told all stores in durham are "out, dear". It's one thing to be out of salt (that shows very poor form, winter started last month!!), another to be out of ice scrappers (this is ridiculous, they appear in the flyer and you can't get one for love nor money) and the most insulting and difficult thing is to be called "dear" (to add insult to injury).
When are you guys going to improve your supply chain operations so that they accord with the promotions you have had planned for weeks!!???!!! Wouldn't mind if it was a drill, but "essentials" for winter. I rely on the mighty logistical intellect of CT to ensure supplies are to hand to deal with extreme weather such as ice storms and seriously low temperatures...come on CT, get your act into gear, get salt to stores and ice scrappers when they are being promoted! Get those trucks full and get deliveries to your customers before we turn to the grocerers (esp sobeys) that seem to have their "stuff" and supply chain operations together.
Of course, I could be sceptical and think you folk are holding back as they will be off promotion next week, and you're get 100% more money for them next week, it's a disgrace if this is the case!
Rant over CT - just ruddy well fix the problem quickly and let me know when the stock is available at the promotional price across the durham region (specifically oshawa!)
Gary N.: I thought it might be a more proactive approach to let me know when the two oshawa stores are going to have the stock on hand to satisfy my requirements, perhaps you've never tried calling the "local store" and expecting a clear and forthright factual answer. Seems no one knows what the heck is happening and the customer is expected to do the legwork?
Be careful if this represents the height of the canadian tire experience, it won't last for long as other retailers will catch you with your pants down!
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Swapndeep S.: Today it is the 5th day since i mentioned about the problem and have not heard from you till now... Please don't answer that we are working on it and also don't appreciate me on my patience... I want an resolution and not your plain words because now your words are not doing any good... If you have take that many days and time to resolve this problem then please answer that the solution it is beyond us. First you are selling the customer a bad product and then take so much time to resolve it and then you claim that strong customer service is important to you guys... So much for Great customer service I should say... If this is good customer service then I dread to think about bad customer service...
This gentleman has some good points, but doesn't realize the benefits of Bait and Switch to a retailer: tey get you in their store, but don't have to sell you things at the low price.
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Gary N.: Taylor, I am not sure what planet you emanate from, although I can hazard a guess that it's the planet mediocrity, however the basic business model that all retailers are running to is if you are going to run a scheduled promotion, best have product there, rather than wasting lots of marketing dollars and gaining nothing but disappointed customers...just saying. Whilst we are on the subject of entitlement culture. I hardly believe many canadians have any right to lecture anyone else about "entitlement culture", it's woven deeply into the fabric of their being, whilst I understand where I came from, we had this problem in the 70s, by the mid 80s it had been broken by margaret thatcher. Can't see any leaders here with her resolve, gravy boats abound here!
So returning to the point I raised, if CT are in the least bit interested in retaining my interest as a customer, the least I think they should be capable of doing is aligning their marketing and supply chain plans and delivering sufficient product on to the shelves (I agree with your point taylor that a "reasonable amount" should be made available)...so if one local store is "out, dear", then an alternative source of supply is reasonably nearby.
Incidentally, I don't think walmart, home depot, rona or lowes stock this product...but I do recall seeing something like this at the hicklety pickelty whitby based princess autos store...mind you, it's will be like a treasure hunt trying to find either the product, or someone to guide one to the product!
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Gary N.: Taylor, I am not sure what planet you emanate from, although I can hazard a guess that it's the planet mediocrity, however the basic business model that all retailers are running to is if you are going to run a scheduled promotion, best have product there, rather than wasting lots of marketing dollars and gaining nothing but disappointed customers...just saying. Whilst we are on the subject of entitlement culture. I hardly believe many canadians have any right to lecture anyone else about "entitlement culture", it's woven deeply into the fabric of their being, whilst I understand where I came from, we had this problem in the 70s, by the mid 80s it had been broken by margaret thatcher. Can't see any leaders here with her resolve, gravy boats abound here!
So returning to the point I raised, if CT are in the least bit interested in retaining my interest as a customer, the least I think they should be capable of doing is aligning their marketing and supply chain plans and delivering sufficient product on to the shelves (I agree with your point taylor that a "reasonable amount" should be made available)...so if one local store is "out, dear", then an alternative source of supply is reasonably nearby.
Incidentally, I don't think walmart, home depot, rona or lowes stock this product...but I do recall seeing something like this at the hicklety pickelty whitby based princess autos store...mind you, it's will be like a treasure hunt trying to find either the product, or someone to guide one to the product!
A couple of complaints inspired by the Gift/Promo Card Spam:
Steve A.W.: 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
Veronica B.S.: In our PG store, they destroy the rain checks every 30 days. I have never actually received merchandise on a Raincheck. Won't get there tomorrow either as we are expecting up to 40 cm of snow over night, and I takes 30 min or more to get there. Rats.
Christina C.P.: also advertised items aren't even in stores.
Carol B.G.: Christina that's the experience I've had, things in the flyer are not in the store and they are not expecting to get them either.
Steve A.W.: 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
Veronica B.S.: In our PG store, they destroy the rain checks every 30 days. I have never actually received merchandise on a Raincheck. Won't get there tomorrow either as we are expecting up to 40 cm of snow over night, and I takes 30 min or more to get there. Rats.
Christina C.P.: also advertised items aren't even in stores.
Carol B.G.: Christina that's the experience I've had, things in the flyer are not in the store and they are not expecting to get them either.
See, it becomes Bait and Switch if they don't honour the Rain Check.
It's not enough to just handout the piece of paper, they have to actually sell you the item at the sale price.
There are only a couple of ways around the law, and the Rain Check is one of them, if they honour it.
From https://www.canadiantiresucks.net/personal-stories/980-would-not-honor-rain-check.html#post11480
Got a rain check for a generator on the last day of a 4 day sale.
The raincheck clearly says valid at any shop within 30 days.
The store at 250 Silver Linden Dr, Richmond Hill refused to honor it saying it was only valid within the 4 days.....
How ridiculous !!!! Why bother to give a rain check on the last day of a 4 day special ?
It was the last straw for me and Canadian Tire.....I don't trust their so-called discounts or product quality and the cust service is non existant, so this was my last trip i intend to make to one of their outlets.
It's not enough to just handout the piece of paper, they have to actually sell you the item at the sale price.
There are only a couple of ways around the law, and the Rain Check is one of them, if they honour it.
From https://www.canadiantiresucks.net/personal-stories/980-would-not-honor-rain-check.html#post11480
Got a rain check for a generator on the last day of a 4 day sale.
The raincheck clearly says valid at any shop within 30 days.
The store at 250 Silver Linden Dr, Richmond Hill refused to honor it saying it was only valid within the 4 days.....
How ridiculous !!!! Why bother to give a rain check on the last day of a 4 day special ?
It was the last straw for me and Canadian Tire.....I don't trust their so-called discounts or product quality and the cust service is non existant, so this was my last trip i intend to make to one of their outlets.
I find it quite amazing that someone would write this kind of complaint. A retail store is not in business to liquidate below cost. They make their money on 80% on what they stock and blow-out the remainder at reduced prices to keep new stock coming in. How do you know that your complaint is "common across the country" ? Did you do that survey yourself! I bet you expect CTire to reimburse your expenses for that. Your questioning their marketing yet you embellish your story with an outright lie! Really and with all respect - get a life and post a realistic complaint! Btw Bait and switch is when you advertise in an attempt to mislead a customer about products or services you dont sell or dont intend to sell. Otherwise, things sellout when they sell out!
This is a fine example of the way CT’ers respond to legitimate consumer complaints.
The CTers are fond of misrepresenting definitions like “bait and switch” and “reasonable quantities”, and misrepresenting the laws, which can be easily found at sites such as this: Bait and switch selling - Competition Bureau. They claim, for instance, that stores are not required to honour the price the retailer themselves advertised! Unbelievable!
Just to be clear, a “bait and switch” is “advertising products at bargain prices that they do not have available in reasonable quantities.” There’s nothing in the law at all about “don’t sell or don’t intend to sell”. That's just something this CT’er invented.
As we’ve heard before, one of the ways the retailer can “avoid liability” under the laws of Canada is if “the customer was offered a rain check when supplies were exhausted.” This is what the most-recent complaint on this thread is all about – something the CTer chose to simply ignore.
In the case of a Clearance Sale, the retailer can state this in their advertising – if they don’t, then it counts as Bait and Switch.
I presume the CTER's goal is to persuade the readers of sites like this, to not follow-through on complaints about their mis-deeds. It also seems they don’t want to give consumers the advertised sale price - the very definition of "bait and switch”.
When they are called on their misbehaviour, they typically “shoot the messenger”, and attempt to discredit their victims. In this case, they are portraying this common complaint as “amazing”, LOL!
Another common tactic on this site is to falsely accuse consumer of some imaginary misdeed. Here the CTer is claiming some statement about "common across the country”, but this misquote is not found anywhere on this thread!
And a common trick is to claim some “lie”, but without stating what this is. We see the CTer doing this, too.
Another tactic is to insult consumers who take their own precious time to warn their fellow Canadians about CT's practices, often with the 'get a life' taunt we see here. Well I, for one, am grateful to my fellow consumers. Thank you, Gregsiem!
But the one thing they never seem to do, is address their own systemic faults in any meaningful way.
I guess it’s just easier to blame the victim, and continue to mislead the public.
Nice Job, CTer!
The CTers are fond of misrepresenting definitions like “bait and switch” and “reasonable quantities”, and misrepresenting the laws, which can be easily found at sites such as this: Bait and switch selling - Competition Bureau. They claim, for instance, that stores are not required to honour the price the retailer themselves advertised! Unbelievable!
Just to be clear, a “bait and switch” is “advertising products at bargain prices that they do not have available in reasonable quantities.” There’s nothing in the law at all about “don’t sell or don’t intend to sell”. That's just something this CT’er invented.
As we’ve heard before, one of the ways the retailer can “avoid liability” under the laws of Canada is if “the customer was offered a rain check when supplies were exhausted.” This is what the most-recent complaint on this thread is all about – something the CTer chose to simply ignore.
In the case of a Clearance Sale, the retailer can state this in their advertising – if they don’t, then it counts as Bait and Switch.
I presume the CTER's goal is to persuade the readers of sites like this, to not follow-through on complaints about their mis-deeds. It also seems they don’t want to give consumers the advertised sale price - the very definition of "bait and switch”.
When they are called on their misbehaviour, they typically “shoot the messenger”, and attempt to discredit their victims. In this case, they are portraying this common complaint as “amazing”, LOL!
Another common tactic on this site is to falsely accuse consumer of some imaginary misdeed. Here the CTer is claiming some statement about "common across the country”, but this misquote is not found anywhere on this thread!
And a common trick is to claim some “lie”, but without stating what this is. We see the CTer doing this, too.
Another tactic is to insult consumers who take their own precious time to warn their fellow Canadians about CT's practices, often with the 'get a life' taunt we see here. Well I, for one, am grateful to my fellow consumers. Thank you, Gregsiem!
But the one thing they never seem to do, is address their own systemic faults in any meaningful way.
I guess it’s just easier to blame the victim, and continue to mislead the public.
Nice Job, CTer!
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Bait and switch is about attracting customers with a product they want and attempting to sell something else. That's the "on the street" definition that means something at least! If a store advert draws in more interest than inventory would support then that is just the way it is - its business! Where do we get the attitude that a business only exists to satisfy customers? And to do so flawlessly. You cant expect any business of any size to never have such types of customers any more than we are entitled to the perfect shopping experience. In reality, there is no laws requiring the issuing of a rain-check on a sold out item. There isnt even a law requiring retailers to accept returns. All of this is just goodwill gesturing. And its good business. It is not simply and always ulterior. There simply is no perfect solution for this - You sell out when you sell out. This is hardly by design, and far from a true socialist environment where everything is the same, quantities are rarely sufficient at any price, and choice is the exception. I dont see any point in complaining about what is just a successful sale! By definition the "Sale" is unfair - to both those that missed it and to those that bought before it. The "Sale" is a gimmick to liquidate old stock and favors the lucky ones! Get used to it!
1wildhorse
New member
hmm new name same old story....skeds thinks its fine to treat his customers like garbage...
1wildhorse
New member
ok so lets break down your points....in your last post youre saying youre only commenting on the inventory issue.so there is an issue then you admit?
where do you get the attitude that a business exists to satisfy customers?well isnt that the point here that good businesses actually DO look after their customers because a happy customer is LIKELY TO RETURN?make no mistake it isnt the financial office paying your wages,its CUSTOMERS.....
how many times on these pages have we heard the story of people going into the store THE DAY of the flyer going out and there is ZERO stock of said product?now either you sold out in minus 30 minutes or you didnt get the stock to begin with in which case you are talking false advertising.of course you are only shooting yourselves in the foot here,because said customers(who lets face it in canada may have to DRIVE some considerable distance) tend to leave disgruntled probably never to return.(and you can be sure they will tell their friends family anyone who will listen).
and you are probably right there is no LAW about issuing a rain check.however once said rain check has been issued,then again you are only shooting yourselves in the foot when you refuse to honor it.i mean this is basic human nature,you make someone happy then they will probably come back,you piss someone off they probably wont.
and with your 'get used to it' and 'we dont need to give any returns' thats more the style of the business you conduct.no we DONT NEED TO GET USED TO IT,and with that in mind we dont have anything to return anyway,and yet again your attitude does nothing but make me less likely to ever spend a dime in your crap ass stores.keep on going because soon enough you wont have too many customers to mistreat anymore,people are rapidly wising up to your shitty attitudes....DAILY
where do you get the attitude that a business exists to satisfy customers?well isnt that the point here that good businesses actually DO look after their customers because a happy customer is LIKELY TO RETURN?make no mistake it isnt the financial office paying your wages,its CUSTOMERS.....
how many times on these pages have we heard the story of people going into the store THE DAY of the flyer going out and there is ZERO stock of said product?now either you sold out in minus 30 minutes or you didnt get the stock to begin with in which case you are talking false advertising.of course you are only shooting yourselves in the foot here,because said customers(who lets face it in canada may have to DRIVE some considerable distance) tend to leave disgruntled probably never to return.(and you can be sure they will tell their friends family anyone who will listen).
and you are probably right there is no LAW about issuing a rain check.however once said rain check has been issued,then again you are only shooting yourselves in the foot when you refuse to honor it.i mean this is basic human nature,you make someone happy then they will probably come back,you piss someone off they probably wont.
and with your 'get used to it' and 'we dont need to give any returns' thats more the style of the business you conduct.no we DONT NEED TO GET USED TO IT,and with that in mind we dont have anything to return anyway,and yet again your attitude does nothing but make me less likely to ever spend a dime in your crap ass stores.keep on going because soon enough you wont have too many customers to mistreat anymore,people are rapidly wising up to your shitty attitudes....DAILY
1wildhorse
New member
surely if you read the pages and pages and pages of in the most part GENUINE customer gripes you would be more than just a little concerned about the long term health of your business.before i encountered your shocking policies i was a very loyal customer for many years,which is why it hurt SO MUCH to be treated the way that your staff did.thankfully my case wasnt an isolated one,as the plethora of information available on this site(which usually is documented before its removed from your facebook page to be held in posterity)should show perfectly clearly.do you honestly believe in your heart of hearts that your company can keep up its horrible policies and SURVIVE long term when people have the option of going somewhere that they might actually be treated with respect?personally i have yet to hear anything in any way HUMBLE from any of the pro CT spammers on here,even though the evidence is overwhelming...maybe if your attitudes changed somewhat you might get a less 'fuck you' kinda response from us,but im not holding my breath that any of you are even capable of such attitude....