Bob

New member
A few weeks ago I purchased several items from a local CT. I made it as far as the parking lot when I realized that one of the items was packaged incorrectly -- the contents of the box were not what they should have been. So I went to the return desk. The woman working the desk was the same cashier who had sold me the product not five minutes earlier, and she remembered me. I had the original receipt, the original CT money, even the original bag (not to mention the debit card I had just used to buy the item), but they insisted they needed photo ID to do a return. Nobody, including the idiot "manager" who was called, knew why they collect the information, what they do with it, or how long they keep it. Ultimately I was able to return the item without showing my driver's licence.

Yesterday, however, I had purchased an item from a different location and went back to exchange it for a higher priced item. Once again, I was at the same store where I purchased the item, I had the original receipt, original CT money, the debit card used to purchase it, even the original bag, but they insisted on ID. The manager came and gave me what seems to be the standard nonsense about "fraud, " telling me they keep the information for 2 years and use to it see if anyone is making "too many" returns.

Following a huge fight they ultimately refused to do the exchange without photo ID. Not wanting to give them any more of my money than I already had, I relented and provided ID, but I won't be back.

And all this for an item costing less than $10.

According to an article I found online, Canadian Tire customers in British Columbia and Alberta have filed complaints under the Personal Information Protection Act regarding this policy. I'm not sure when this was filed, but the date of the article is 2006. Things seem to have changed since then.

In British Columbia, the customer filed a complaint concerning the amount of personal information requested, although Canadian Tire did provide her with a refund without receiving this information (something they generally won't do now).

The B.C. Information and Privacy Commissioner concluded that the Canadian Tire store provided notice of the purpose for its collection of personal information through a posting at cashier stations, the written notice on the front and back of the sales receipt, through its privacy policy and through the oral notice that store employees gave to customers when the return transactions were initiated. He found that the notice was just barely adequate, as he felt that identifying the purpose "to prevent fraud" should actually be clarified further. He also concluded that the personal information being requested was necessary to conclude the transaction.

The Commissioner objected to the fact that the personal information was retained on the computer system indefinitely -- now they state that they retain the information for two years.

He also found that the store in some cases asked for photo identification to confirm identity but the store does not record the personal information from that identification. This no longer appears to be the case: it seems that CT is recording personal information from customers' ID, but it may not be information like driver's licence numbers (see below).

Two Canadian Tire stores in Alberta also received complaints about their refund practices. However, these investigations focused on the collection of driver's licence numbers. The practices of the two stores varied. The Calgary store asked for name, address and telephone number, and asked the individual to confirm identity with photo identification. This personal information was retained in the store's computer system. The practice at the Sherwood Park store was to collect name, address and telephone number from the customer and then to ask for picture identification such as a driver's licence to confirm identity. However, this information was not stored in the store's system.

Both stores agreed that simply authenticating and confirming the identity of the individual returning goods is sufficient for their loss prevention purposes. The Office of the Alberta Information and Privacy Commissioner concluded that this was a concession by the stores that collection and retention of driver's licence numbers is not necessary for the business purpose of deterring fraud. The Office concluded that the Calgary store had contravened the Personal Information Protection Act by requiring customers to consent to collection of personal information that was not necessary.

The Calgary store agreed to stop collecting and recording drivers' licence numbers. The store agreed to record only that the name and address had been confirmed with photo ID, as well as type of photo ID reviewed by the staff, but not the driver's licence or other particulars of the ID itself.

I have emailed CT regarding their policy and requesting my personal information be removed from their system. I doubt they will comply, but it's worth a try.

But I'm sick of being treated like a thief by businesses trying to make money from me. I won't shop at a place that requires the provision of personal information for a simple exchange (especially when it's the store's fault!), or that doesn't trust me enough to carry a bag in their store, but expects me to happily entrust my belongings to their care.
 

Guest-0018

Posted by an unregistered user
You must have actually found the most retarded CT store ther is.

I actually work for CT in toronto (I'm the hardware manager at one of the flagship stores). They (the staff where you went out of your way to shop) are not supposed to ask for valid photo ID unless you don't have a receipt. What we actually need for fraud prevention AND product QUALITY TRACKING is simply your name (you can even get away with lying about it and just make up a name unless we know you) an address (doesn't even have to be from this country) and a phone number (not even your whole number just the last 7 digits which in places like here (toronto) is redundant becuase we have like 5 area codes.) At my store we do not validate this info or check ID (unless you used a credit card or don't have a receipt)...

This is supposed to be part of the "EASY RETURNS POLICY JUST KEEP YOUR RECEIPT" policy.

Sorry you went through it and I hope you gave that stupid ass manager hell.

Signed:
The Hardware Manager
 

Guest-0021

Posted by an unregistered user
Why would I have to give you my phone number and address for a return and/or exchange on a cash paid item that's worth $10 or even $1000 if it's in it's original packaging?

I've been shopping CT for a long time, +35 years, 17 at the same store. Returned, mostly exchanged a lot of items without any problems. Today I go to return a $9.99 flashlight, csr asks for phone number as per past experiences, I give it, she then asks for my name, I say it, then my address, I say ' the same one ', she says ' we don't have one on file ', I reply ' I've been shopping at this particular CT for 17 years and have never had to provide my address and don't see the reason I should do so now ', she replies ' it's to prevent fraud ', I ask her ' how exactly can you prevent fraud with storing my personal information in your database? ', she replies ' don't worry sir this is the same information as stored in the phone book '. The phone book doesn't associate all my returns and exchanges and credit card purchases with your business. As an act of good faith as a customer I give you my true phone number and expect the same good faith on your part to refund or exchange the item I purchased from you as per stated on the receipt and your refund / exchange policy.

No where does it say that I have to give you my personal information and even if it said it I really don't see how you can legally justify this. CT is not my employer, my doctor, my government, my bank or any other entity that is legally entitled to collect selective personal information on me.

If it's legal to collect personal information on returns / exchanges shouldn't it be simpler for you to collect it at the purchase point? Credit card, cash, CT money, gift cards, all will be asked info/ID. You'll then know exactly who purchases what, when and how many and what they return and exchange. You'll then know so much more about your customer base, which ultimately is what you are trying to accomplish by pretending it's to ' prevent fraud '.
 

FormerGM

New member
Canadian Tire issued a memo to all stores in 2007 to stop this practice as it violated the Federal law regarding The Privacy Act. However, you can still be asked for ID when you are returning any purchase made with a credit card. None of your personal info can be recorded, it is to be used for confirmation of your identity only.

I, personally, would never give my real name when making any return to CTC. I'm sure very few of you are aware but the return slip that is attached to the product contains all your info. This product, along with your info, is usually discarded into a dumpster which in most cases is not secured.

There are enough things in life that invade my privacy without some dimwitted dumpster diver knowing more about what I bought or returned.
 

Guest-0027

Posted by an unregistered user
After 10 returns or so, for whatever reason, even if it is THEIR fault that you have to return it, if they put it in the system, after that number, it REFUSES to let you return any more items for that year.

But once I went to a CT and my dad was on file under our phone number, he has a guys name its not mistakeable, and she said his name, I said yup, just to see, she entered it in no problems, never asked me for ID or anything, I was like WTF. [I'm female!!]
 

Guest-0031

Posted by an unregistered user
Jesus dude it's $10.00, just show the friggin ID and stop giving employees a hard time. They didn't make the rules, but they have to uphold them. Seems to me you were bored that day and was looking for some controversy.
 

Guest-0032

Posted by an unregistered user
I agree.....! It's policy , just show your ID and make the return , unless you have something to hide . Quick being a whiner.....!
 

Guest-0033

Posted by an unregistered user
The two replies above are typically Canadian weak-kneed horseshit. Canadians seem to thrive on being told what to do by big outfits. It's an "either comply with the rules or get out" type of mentality.
There are privacy laws for a reason and Canadian Tire is not above these laws, whether it's their "policy" or not. It doesn't matter if it's for $10.00, $1000.00, or two cents.
Yet another reason I will NEVER shop at Canadian Tire.
 

Guest-0036

Posted by an unregistered user
People who say things like,"Do you have something to hide?" are ignorant. Showing ID is one thing, but Canadian Tire is recording and storing that information, unnecessarily. This happened to me, too, in Nov. 2008 at the Cambie @ 6th St location in Vancouver. The sales person entered info. from my driver's licence in the computer. It felt very wrong.
 

Guest-0076

Posted by an unregistered user
you are all typical canadian red neck losers who do nothing but try to look for fight wherever you go claiming that its for the good of all people or its illegal or the lamest it goes against my personal rights...give it a rest your life sucks if all you can think about is screwing over the man by revolting and not giving your ID wow You really stuck it:p.... Canadian Tire does not in fact store the information because 75% of the employees don't give a shit so they select whatever name comes up unless you appear to be supiscious or act rudely which it appears that the majority of you begin you return process as....So Fuck of and get a life if you want to really stick it to the man run for prime minister and shoot yourself!
 

Guest-0061

Posted by an unregistered user
you are all typical canadian red neck losers who do nothing but try to look for fight wherever you go claiming that its for the good of all people or its illegal or the lamest it goes against my personal rights...give it a rest your life sucks if all you can think about is screwing over the man by revolting and not giving your ID wow You really stuck it:p.... Canadian Tire does not in fact store the information because 75% of the employees don't give a shit so they select whatever name comes up unless you appear to be supiscious or act rudely which it appears that the majority of you begin you return process as....So Fuck of and get a life if you want to really stick it to the man run for prime minister and shoot yourself!

I see we have another Canadian Tire employee in our midst. Shoot for the stars, boy! With that attitude you'll make Canadian Tire manager in no time.
 

Guest-0078

Posted by an unregistered user
Ok, I'm really curious, are you really complaining because you had to show ID to return a purchase. I'm not at all defending CT at all, I think they are complete assholes. But first off, you noticed in the parking lot the shit in the box was not packaged like it should have been, but didn't notice this in the store before you purchased the item? Secondly, who gives a shit if they ask for photo ID, although they shouldn't need it if you have a receipt, the only reason I can think for this, was that you were returning the item minutes after leaving the store, and maybe they were afraid you took shit out of the box or something I don't know. I will tell you I used to work for CT when I was younger, and they do have a large problem with people taking returned items from the garbage, bringing them in saying they have no receipt for the item, getting store credit, buying something with the credit, then returning the item a day later for cash, thus making a profit off of garbage. It's why when I worked there we had to deface and destroy all returns so people couldn't do that. That may be a reason they ask for ID, just to see if people are constantly doing this sort of thing. Not saying you were doing this at all, I think your story is legit, just stating something. Anyways, while they really have no need to get photo ID from you, and I personally would refuse to give it, what's the big deal? People today are way too worried about "invasion of privacy" and BS like that, just give them your ID, return the item, walk out of the store rather than get yourself in a knot, and the people at the store pissed off, which just makes thing much much harder for you.
 

Guest-0061

Posted by an unregistered user
Ok, I'm really curious, are you really complaining because you had to show ID to return a purchase. I'm not at all defending CT at all, I think they are complete assholes. But first off, you noticed in the parking lot the shit in the box was not packaged like it should have been, but didn't notice this in the store before you purchased the item? Secondly, who gives a shit if they ask for photo ID, although they shouldn't need it if you have a receipt, the only reason I can think for this, was that you were returning the item minutes after leaving the store, and maybe they were afraid you took shit out of the box or something I don't know. I will tell you I used to work for CT when I was younger, and they do have a large problem with people taking returned items from the garbage, bringing them in saying they have no receipt for the item, getting store credit, buying something with the credit, then returning the item a day later for cash, thus making a profit off of garbage. It's why when I worked there we had to deface and destroy all returns so people couldn't do that. That may be a reason they ask for ID, just to see if people are constantly doing this sort of thing. Not saying you were doing this at all, I think your story is legit, just stating something. Anyways, while they really have no need to get photo ID from you, and I personally would refuse to give it, what's the big deal? People today are way too worried about "invasion of privacy" and BS like that, just give them your ID, return the item, walk out of the store rather than get yourself in a knot, and the people at the store pissed off, which just makes thing much much harder for you.

Yes, we do worry about invasion of privacy and with good reason. Instead of following your line of thinking, let's all do ourselves a favour and not shop at Canadian Tire. I can return whatever I have to at Wal Mart and no one asks me for photo ID even to look at, let alone record the information from!
 

Guest-0082

Posted by an unregistered user
Yes, we do worry about invasion of privacy and with good reason. Instead of following your line of thinking, let's all do ourselves a favour and not shop at Canadian Tire. I can return whatever I have to at Wal Mart and no one asks me for photo ID even to look at, let alone record the information from!

Well first, it's not really an invasion of privacy, typically places may ask for photo ID, but they can't demand it or not replace your item, so it's not really invasion because they aren't taking your wallet and scanning your ID against your will or without your knowledge. Secondly, ya, that's how you fix problems, you go shop at Wal-Mart the biggest cancer ever. Wal-Mart doesn't give a shit because they'll do an exchange on products they don't even carry in their store at all. Everything Wal-Mart has is Made in China garbage, and they don't ask for any ID or information at all, including a receipt, is because EVERYTHING they sell is defective trash. That's the biggest problem today, everyone keeps saying support local businesses, buy local produce, or drive around with those bumper stickers saying "Out of a job yet? Keep buying foreign", yet you all go buy everything, your groceries, supplies, automotive shit, everything from Wal-Mart, which is foreign! Out of a job yet? Keep buying your cheap useless Made in China shit from Wal-Mart.
 

Guest-0061

Posted by an unregistered user
Well first, it's not really an invasion of privacy, typically places may ask for photo ID, but they can't demand it or not replace your item, so it's not really invasion because they aren't taking your wallet and scanning your ID against your will or without your knowledge. Secondly, ya, that's how you fix problems, you go shop at Wal-Mart the biggest cancer ever. Wal-Mart doesn't give a shit because they'll do an exchange on products they don't even carry in their store at all. Everything Wal-Mart has is Made in China garbage, and they don't ask for any ID or information at all, including a receipt, is because EVERYTHING they sell is defective trash. That's the biggest problem today, everyone keeps saying support local businesses, buy local produce, or drive around with those bumper stickers saying "Out of a job yet? Keep buying foreign", yet you all go buy everything, your groceries, supplies, automotive shit, everything from Wal-Mart, which is foreign! Out of a job yet? Keep buying your cheap useless Made in China shit from Wal-Mart.

That's right. Until Canadian businesses can get their acts together on the customer service front, I'll continue to go elsewhere. Oh, and the last time I checked, Canadian Tire sells its fair share of Made in China goods.
The biggest problem today is not people saying "buy local". The biggest problem is idiots like yourself who take 'er up the arse, all in the name of somehow "being Canadian".
 

Guest-0082

Posted by an unregistered user
That's right. Until Canadian businesses can get their acts together on the customer service front, I'll continue to go elsewhere. Oh, and the last time I checked, Canadian Tire sells its fair share of Made in China goods.
The biggest problem today is not people saying "buy local". The biggest problem is idiots like yourself who take 'er up the arse, all in the name of somehow "being Canadian".

Dude, this original issue was all because the person freaked out because the cashier wanted to see their ID. Sorry that I'm just not a total douchebag who makes a hissy fit because someone wants to see my precious drivers license so I can make a simple return on an item wow. I'd rather just show my ID, make my return, and get on with my day rather than hold my breath and throw a tantrum like a child over some mundane thing. I always support people buying local, there's far too much made in china garbage, and yes CT does have it's fair share of it. If you live in North America chances are half your good are made in china. There was no taking it up the arse in the name of being Canadian here. Only thing here is not being a douchebag for making a big deal over something that shouldn't be at all. What's next, you gonna cry if the cashier wants to see your receipt when you make a return, because that's an invasion of privacy because they might log what you've purchased or some shit, jesus just chill out.
 

Guest-0061

Posted by an unregistered user
Dude, this original issue was all because the person freaked out because the cashier wanted to see their ID. Sorry that I'm just not a total douchebag who makes a hissy fit because someone wants to see my precious drivers license so I can make a simple return on an item wow. I'd rather just show my ID, make my return, and get on with my day rather than hold my breath and throw a tantrum like a child over some mundane thing. I always support people buying local, there's far too much made in china garbage, and yes CT does have it's fair share of it. If you live in North America chances are half your good are made in china. There was no taking it up the arse in the name of being Canadian here. Only thing here is not being a douchebag for making a big deal over something that shouldn't be at all. What's next, you gonna cry if the cashier wants to see your receipt when you make a return, because that's an invasion of privacy because they might log what you've purchased or some shit, jesus just chill out.

First of all, don't address me as "dude". Are you an unemployed beach bum? I know I'm not.
Also, my name isn't Jesus. If you like Canadian Tire so much then go there and set up a tent and live under their roof. This website is called "canadiantiresucks.net", not "unabashedloversofcanadiantire.net"
Finally, I think if you took away "douchebag" from your limited vocabulary, you would hardly be able to express a thought.
Now I'll await your inevitable response because baiting simpletons such as yourself is a little sport of mine.
 

Guest-0091

Posted by an unregistered user
since ur all to dumb and cant read the back of ur reciept, it states:
"Your name, residence address and phone number will be required. This information is collected, used and retained to help prevent fraud, and may only be disclosed within Canadian Tire. Valid photo ID may be required to confirm this information"
And if having it in your hand wasnt bad enough, it is also posted at all cashs, on the returns desks, when you walk in the store, and on hanging signs around the front end. lmao
 

Guest-0061

Posted by an unregistered user
since ur all to dumb and cant read the back of ur reciept, it states:
"Your name, residence address and phone number will be required. This information is collected, used and retained to help prevent fraud, and may only be disclosed within Canadian Tire. Valid photo ID may be required to confirm this information"
And if having it in your hand wasnt bad enough, it is also posted at all cashs, on the returns desks, when you walk in the store, and on hanging signs around the front end. lmao

This idiot calls others dumb with such gems as "ur", "to dumb", "ur reciept", "wasnt", and "cashs".
 

IKnowThings

New member
you are all typical canadian red neck losers who do nothing but try to look for fight wherever you go claiming that its for the good of all people or its illegal or the lamest it goes against my personal rights...give it a rest your life sucks if all you can think about is screwing over the man by revolting and not giving your ID wow You really stuck it:p.... Canadian Tire does not in fact store the information because 75% of the employees don't give a shit so they select whatever name comes up unless you appear to be supiscious or act rudely which it appears that the majority of you begin you return process as....So Fuck of and get a life if you want to really stick it to the man run for prime minister and shoot yourself!

And you, like so many others on here, are just plain angry. Anger just means that you are fearful. So, what are you so afraid of that you have to bash others like this? Seriously!

And just the fact that they select any old name that comes up because they don't care, creates even more of this fraudulant garbage that CT continues to uphold and say "it's policy".

Whatever, buddy. Just go on and be angry in your own little world and take it up the ass like you think everyone else should.
 
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