Thread: Buying Batteries From Canadian Tire - Warranty Issues, Etc.

And did Crappy Tire actually help Nikky?

All we know is that they gave her the usual canned response:


"please contact customerservice@canadiantire.com so that we can discuss the issue you had with returning your battery. Thank you."

No reason to think that Head Office is going to force the store to stand behind the battery, or to cough up some cash for Nikky.

Wayne C.: my resolution is to never buy another Canadian tire battery ,three batteries ,three duds

A couple inspired by the Gift/Promo Card Spam:


Norm H.: Really disappointed with attitude and way of doing business at CT in Orleans. Paid 160 for a new battery plus 15 for enviromental fees, to be paid back when battery returned. when they charge the enviro fee they add HST. When you return the ald battery they don't give you the HST back. They try to say the government gets it but the only thing that the government receives the HST on is the sale of the new battery. CT is pocketing the HST on the enviro fees. Thats just plain theft in my books.

Jillene M.: I am so dissappointed with the Spruce Grove Canadian Tire. I took a battery back that I had just purchased(never installed) and I was treated so poorly. I was made to feel like and idiot and the service man even insulted my husband's mechanic abilities stating " he clearly isn't qualified to do his own work"??? All because we purchase a battery we ended up not needing and returned (never installed)?? The other clerk even anwsered a call I believe was from the manager and was talking about me very snobby making it seem like my return was ridiculous. It was so bad that I bursed into tears before I left the store with my 2 little children with me. I went to the customer service desk in tears and they were nice, they took down my name and number however I never did received a call from the manager or anyone with and apology. We spent a lot of money there this holiday season and they way I was treated I'm not sure I would go back there again.

Actually, Jason the Complaints Department? It's located in the bathroom of your local Crappy Tire store!


Jason C.: Is this the complain department site when we have a problem ctc will resolve the matter in a fashionable manner? My issue I have is I brought my pickup to ctc in my town is to buy a battery n have it installed? The young girl was very rude to me so I left the store immediately!!

The Icy Truck put a battery down to -40 C.

Nice commercial, but here's how it works in real life:



Michelle N.: I hate to highjack this post, but it seems your settings don't allow for posting except for comments on your other posts. I am wholly disappointed in your store in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. I was traveling last week from Kimberley, BC. and on Jan 3rd, my Eliminator battery, purchased in October 2012 failed overnight in Saskatoon. We required a jump start the next day to get going and it failed again the next night, on January 4th in St. Isadore de Bellevue, requiring another jump start the next day. While jumping it, I noticed that there was corrosion buildup on the positive post. My husband and I went to the CT in Prince Albert to see about getting it replaced under warranty. We were first directed to the parts department where we spoke with the parts manager and told him why we were there. He informed us that we needed to perform regular battery maintenance and if we had not done so, then our warranty would be void. When I asked what that was, exactly, he began telling me that if it was not used for a period of time that it should be properly stored and periodically charged. When I told him that the battery was in my car, which is driven daily, and asked him what maintenance that required, he had no answer. He then told us that they would have to do a load test on the battery. He then referred us to the service department as our battery was still in the car. Again, we got the manager of that department. When we asked how long the wait was because we were traveling he said to us in a very snotty tone, "You and everyone else". He then proceeded to look up batteries and began telling us prices. We informed him that were not looking to buy but to get a warranty replacement. He told us that the parts guy told him we wanted to buy. We again explained what had happened with the battery and he then told up that it would be a $50 charge to test the battery as it was still in the car. He also told us that if they found out that it has been frozen at all and if the found ice crystals in it, then the warranty would be void. At this point, I was furious, as of course, the battery had been frozen. It was winter and the battery had failed overnight in -20 weather. At a time that roughly coincided with your Ice Truck commercial gaining public momentum, I am SHOCKED to be told by someone employed by your company that freezing a battery (and THAT SAME particular battery in the commercial) would be an issue used as an excuse to void my warranty, especially when you Ice Truck commercial shows you doing EXACTLY that. At this point, I left, as I believed that no matter what their tests showed, they would just come up with some excuse as to why the warranty would not be covered. We were forced to continue in our travels and risk being stranded in the prairies if the battery failed again. I am wholly unimpressed with the lack of service and respect we got from this store and it makes me question whether my decision to purchase a Canadian Tire product was a good one. The reason I purchased is because of the warranty and because of the ability to have a warranty replacement in virtually any city in Canada. I remember purchasing items in the past and having no issues with returns, even when returning to a store other than where the original purchase was made. If this is what happens when I try to use the warranty, then why should I buy another CT product again? I would like to take this product to my local store in Cranbrook, BC, where I purchased it, but am wondering if I will get the same kind of treatment there. My faith in CT is completely gone. Apparently this company is not what it once was. Shoddy, service and I'm NOT IMPRESSED!

Much shorter than the previous story:


John K.: They sold me the wrong battery and refused to give me my money back.

Originally Posted by CTH8R

Michelle N.: I hate to highjack this post, but it seems your settings don't allow for posting except for comments on your other posts. I am wholly disappointed in your store in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. I was traveling last week from Kimberley, BC. and on Jan 3rd, my Eliminator battery, purchased in October 2012 failed overnight in Saskatoon. We required a jump start the next day to get going and it failed again the next night, on January 4th in St. Isadore de Bellevue, requiring another jump start the next day. While jumping it, I noticed that there was corrosion buildup on the positive post. My husband and I went to the CT in Prince Albert to see about getting it replaced under warranty. We were first directed to the parts department where we spoke with the parts manager and told him why we were there. He informed us that we needed to perform regular battery maintenance and if we had not done so, then our warranty would be void. When I asked what that was, exactly, he began telling me that if it was not used for a period of time that it should be properly stored and periodically charged. When I told him that the battery was in my car, which is driven daily, and asked him what maintenance that required, he had no answer. He then told us that they would have to do a load test on the battery. He then referred us to the service department as our battery was still in the car. Again, we got the manager of that department. When we asked how long the wait was because we were traveling he said to us in a very snotty tone, "You and everyone else". He then proceeded to look up batteries and began telling us prices. We informed him that were not looking to buy but to get a warranty replacement. He told us that the parts guy told him we wanted to buy. We again explained what had happened with the battery and he then told up that it would be a $50 charge to test the battery as it was still in the car. He also told us that if they found out that it has been frozen at all and if the found ice crystals in it, then the warranty would be void. At this point, I was furious, as of course, the battery had been frozen. It was winter and the battery had failed overnight in -20 weather. At a time that roughly coincided with your Ice Truck commercial gaining public momentum, I am SHOCKED to be told by someone employed by your company that freezing a battery (and THAT SAME particular battery in the commercial) would be an issue used as an excuse to void my warranty, especially when you Ice Truck commercial shows you doing EXACTLY that. At this point, I left, as I believed that no matter what their tests showed, they would just come up with some excuse as to why the warranty would not be covered. We were forced to continue in our travels and risk being stranded in the prairies if the battery failed again. I am wholly unimpressed with the lack of service and respect we got from this store and it makes me question whether my decision to purchase a Canadian Tire product was a good one. The reason I purchased is because of the warranty and because of the ability to have a warranty replacement in virtually any city in Canada. I remember purchasing items in the past and having no issues with returns, even when returning to a store other than where the original purchase was made. If this is what happens when I try to use the warranty, then why should I buy another CT product again? I would like to take this product to my local store in Cranbrook, BC, where I purchased it, but am wondering if I will get the same kind of treatment there. My faith in CT is completely gone. Apparently this company is not what it once was. Shoddy, service and I'm NOT IMPRESSED!

Follow-up (or, actually, a lack thereof!):



Michelle N.: Well, that was an exercise in pointlessness. I emailed right away and have yet to hear a peep. It seems that even corporate head office (if that is where I emailed) isn't really all that concerned about its customers and the way their brand is being portrayed through its franchisees. Sad.

Lots of troubles, but pay attention to,the battery horror-story:


Heather R.: To whom it may concern if it does concern you at all

I have dealt with Canadian Tire Namao branch in Edmonton Since it opened at least 10 years ago. One of the auto service guys there named Shane refused to warranty a tire I had bought a few years ago. I believed I complained then about his attitude. Yesterday January 5th,2013, I had my car towed into Canadian tire because it would not start and the power steering was not working prior to it not starting. I got a call back from Shane saying my power steering pump was shot and my battery was not holding a charge. I told him the battery should still be under warranty, he said, not unless I had a reciept, I then gave him permission to look in my car for receipt but he found an older one. I told him look in your system, as I know when I bought tires a little over a year ago they said ``we will not honor warranty without receipt`` but that was after I had bought battery. Eventually he found it in system and said he will pro rate battery but the estimate was 990.00. After battery pro rated I was quoted 940.00, I gasped and said why is it so expensive, he started breaking down prices for me..Pump 230, install 130, fluid exchange 100, etc. I said, well can i hold off on power steering pump, he said it wont pass an inspection, I said no worries my brother is a mechanic, but if it was a little cheaper I would get it done at Canadian tire for convenience. I was just reporting to work as I got his call with the 990 estimate. I drive transit bus for the city of Edmonton and I was just starting my shift, it was noon January 6th, 2013. a few minutes after I started driving, he called me back but I could not answer as I was driving the bus. A few minutes later I had like a 1 minute lay over and called him back, he said the new price was $940.00, I said, sorry I can not afford that, how much without the pump, he told me 500 something, I said, you know what...can you just change battery and do nothing else? He said "ok that will be 300 something" I said why so much? He again starting listing prices 160 diagnostic, 36 power steering pump ?? something..., then installation of the battery, blah blah. I said, several times I have to go, prior to this and I stated I was at work and had to go, he retorted "I am at work too!" I was trying to cut him short as I had a bus to drive, He said "don't you dare hang up on me, we have business to discuss". When he said it was 300 to get just my warranted battery reinstalled, I said "you know what, I am not paying for anything besides battery and if you want to charge me installation then go ahead but I am not paying for anything else"! He said, "I am not doing anything on your car, I will put it outside and you can tow it home"! I had to hang up and drive and let him do what he had to do as I was not going to lose my job over your idiot manager at Namao. I am thoroughly disgusted by his behavior as I used to love Canadian Tire as a kid, it offered great Christmas stuff, sleighs and skates etc. I was proud to be a Canadian and be a part of what Canadian Tire stood for. His behavior was worst than some back yard con job mechanic. About 10 minutes later, my phone rang again, I was wondering if he was giving me a time limit to get it out of parking lot, but no....he ....said because he started the paperwork on warranty work , he would change battery...well hallelujah....honoring your work finally. A lost customer....Heather R.

ps I asked for a copy of initial estimate and received one for 931 with battery included....so it fell 60.00. My plan was to get it fixed elsewhere and to portray costs online from Canadian tire versus other garages. Low and behold, I left and my power steering pump is working....what a waste of a 990.00 dollars if I would have said ok UNBELIEVABLE

Does this guy know that ALL CAPS is the Internet version of YELLING?

Yeah, I think he knows:



Erick L.: I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERIE FOR MY TRUCK 23 JANUARY 2013 ! BATTERIE FROZE , TRY TO RETURN IT TODAY THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE , I HAVE MY BILL AND MY 3 YEARS REPLACEMENT WARRANTY . VERY BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY KEPT IT TO RUN SOME TEST ! NOW I NEEDED MY BATTERY TO GO TO WORK TOMMORROW ! THE STORE IS AT 355 BOUL DE LA CARRIERE IN GATINEAU (HULL SECTOR ) ! I HAVE TO BACK TOMMORROW TO SEE WHATS GOING ON , LOSING A DAYS WORK , WILL NEVER GO BACK THERE AGAIN , I WAS A CUSTOMER FOR 15 YEARS SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN THIS STORE , AND THATS HOW YOU DEAL WITH LOYAL CLIENT !!! VERY SAD .............so what do you need to know ?