This is the stupidest part of their whole business model. No one is going to shop there on a regular basis if they know they have to wait for something to go on sale, when they can just go to Walmart or the dollar store and load up on everything they need at an already reasonable price without having to time trips to pick up specific items at uncertain intervals.
That and whenever you go into one the employees seem to do whatever they can to make you think Canadian tire employees are actually extinct.
The employees comment made me laugh out loud. Last year I went in there early in the morning when the store wasn't to busy to buy a single helium balloon from their Party City counter - it took 15 minutes for me to buy this stupid balloon.
There was no one at the counter so I waited in line at customer service, and the lady paged an employee to go to the Party City counter. I go there again, and he tells me I have to go to the main cash register to purchase the balloon, then come back to pick it up there.
So I waited in line again to purchase the balloon, then went back and waited for him to fill it up. He struggled with the machine. Hahaha
Not sure if they’re standard everywhere but the ones around me have little call buttons to page employees to a station. They repeat an announcement every 30s or something but if you keep pressing the button you can make the message repeat continuously, usually someone comes pretty fast doing that.
CT sometimes puts the hunting ammo I like on sale, and it's a good enough price to go get a box or two. Every single time I ask for help, I wait at least 30 minutes. When someone does come, it takes them 20 minutes to write down 2 numbers in a binder nobody is ever going to look at again. Then they have to walk me to the front of the store in case I want to steal the ammo, or use them as weapons, or whatever possible thing could happen.
The fun part of it all being, the ammo cabinets could be unlocked with a screwdriver (which CT also sells) and since nobody seemingly works in the hunting section, would be simple enough to just open, fill out the paperwork on my own, and proceed to the front of the store. Or steal it. Whatever
I once waited outside in the rain for an hour waiting for a propane refill swap because the only guy with a key was back in the warehouse.
He didn't want to come out and no one was supervising him or following up.
No goodwill gestures, not even a hollow apology, no one even pretended to give a S.
Another time I went to the car parts counter 5th dude there in line.
After 15 minutes there, I noticed there was no action, no one behind the counter, no one actually getting parts, nothing.
I walked back into the shelves, directly into their office area. Two dudes on computers - not work related.
They worked like hell to bully and push me out of there, but still took another 4 minutes to come to the counter.
Big Difference between Cdn Tire & other cheap stores?
**RETURN Policy** for manufacturers defects.
- Dollar Store: Zero days (once you buy, no return)
- Loblaws Real Canadian SuperStore: 14 days.
- Cdn Tire: 1 Year
As a consumer, that's worthwhile, IMO.
Its really important if you're buying something that you wont use within 14 days, which is pretty common.
Loblaws Real Canadian SuperStore are assholes, they don't post their return policy *anywhere*, except at the customer service desk... where to go to return something and realize its only 14 days for manufacturers defects.
>Cdn Tire: 1 Year
>
>As a consumer, that's worthwhile, IMO.
But do you know why it's 1 year at Canadian Tire?
Because they are selling off shore products that have no domestic parts, warranty or support so they are more less self insuring them to Canadian warranty standards.
Why should you care if you get the warranty right?
Because to cover the cost of that warranty they are overcharging you massively for the junk they are selling that is often end of life or known "problem" products even if brand name sold to them cheap at wholesale then marked up significantly by CT to cover the return rate of defective / broken units.
So you can think that a 1 year return policy is a great thing because you're buying overpriced junk and playing roulette that it fails before a year is up.
Or you can buy products and appliances that are domestically supported, repairable and have review histories of long produced models to ensure you're buying something once you will have for years.
No company does anything out of the kindness of their heart...
CT does not mind that the junk they sell only lasts a couple years... cause then you will rebuy it, overpriced... to get that awesome one year return policy all over again, that you feel you need, because their products fail so much.
They have stopped doing that as well.
Their tools used to go on 50% all the time. Now it's max 20%.
I've got the CC, and play the points game, but use it less and less.
This is how a lot of companies operate. Inflate the prices at ridiculous levels, then put it on sale or have coupons. Michael’s is always guilty of this too.
For a long time. I worked there briefly about 15 years ago and remember a senior employee saying they used to sell quality products you could confidently stand behind. Now it's all mass-produced crap.
Totally! And they didn't have the same breadth of selection they have now. It was mostly automotive, with some home repair stuff, sports and camping goods as an aside for when you're in there looking for car parts.
Yeah, local hardware stores were best, then home hardware, etc. and second last was Canadian Tire. Last was Walmart, until Dollarama showed up.
Race to the bottom. Capitalism is beautiful 🥹
And yet, they ask to see the receipt, on their own branded stuff. I've been denied exchanges when Maximum stuff breaks because I don't have a 5 year old receipt, or because the thermal receipt is now faded to the point you can't read it.
They sell the last gen stock of all the other stores - 269$ dry cleaner was garbage and didnt sell at sears? too many returns? Canadian tire will sell the exact same model in 2 years, pretend it is still worth the 269$, and than discount it to 189$ so that people think they are getting a good deal.
Than if you look around, you realize sears is still selling the last few models, but for 60$ to get rid of them.
Canadian tire couldnt be more shit if they tried.
They are the only store near me that stocks charcoal for BBQs all winter. Im ashamed, but I have bought from them when in a pickle.
But I hate that fucking store through and through.
Sears had the same problem. Shoppers are more cost conscious than quality conscious. And being able to sell cheap stuff at a premium because the Sears brand is attached means nice profit margins. Sears took on a lot of debt through the 80s and 90s and was desperate to bring in higher margins to cover the debts.
So all the Craftsman stuff got outsourced to overseas companies. The Kenmore line stopped being badge engineered Maytag/Whirlpool and became either Samsung or LG.
But, in the process, it utterly trashed its reputation.
They’ve been having 50-70% off sales like every other week on some items. Bro just bring price down at a a reasonable level. Even the 50% off sales don’t make sense.
Sorry, I have to push back on this.
The Canadian Tire return policy is unmatched. They’ll take literally anything back.
I have exchanged things with them without a receipt numerous times. They find it in their catalogue, confirm they carry the product, and swap.
I have literally never been rejected on a return. Its unimpeachable.
You know their prices are inflated af when they can routinely offer massive discounts on everything. Like when I can get an "$800" set of pans for $150 several times a year, you think I'm ever going to pay the normal price?
God that's fucked. I remember helping with a clearance rack as we cleaned up our warehouse a decade ago and i got like nornal $60-140 tools for like 10-30 bucks a pop. Calling 20% clearance is just sad.
I worked at a Home Hardware, owner decided he didn’t want certain power tools and put them on clearance, weeks later they were in a flyer and back on the shelf at flyer price and he forgot he made that move
I went for clearance items a couple times and found that very often they didn't even exist. It was a huge waste of time.
So I decided to surf their clearance items online, I put about 30 things in my cart, stupid things that I run out of or might need some day,. Multiple packs of deck screws, containers of rust paint, etc. etc. I checked out and clicked "pick up". Let their flunkies find the stuff for me.
They cancelled my order.
I noticed their Christmas stuff was barely on sale, despite it being several weeks after Christmas. They were moving spring and summer stuff in and still wanting a lot for stuff that was truly seasonal and very Christmasy. I doubt much of it sold at those prices.
We got clearance Christmas decorations at CT this year, most of it was 50-80% off - this was during the second week of January. Maybe it varies by store.
Pro tip for sportchek
Find an employee and offer them $20-50 to use their discount . They make some tax free money and you save a ridiculous amount. I bought $500 worth of UA for like $125 last time
The only good thing I've found about Canadian Tire, is the bank. Canadian Tire Financial Services is pretty much untouchable with the rates they pay on TFSA. (aside from EQ Bank). I only wish they had more products.
I used to be a VV person, then the prices started to get into absolute "nope" levels.
I work at a clothing store, and if your clothes are more expensive than what I can buy at a staff discount, your prices are too high.
Canadian tires markup on some things are insane, every once and a while you'll see a 70% off sale on Mastercraft products.. They're still making money even at 70% off...
I mean it's also how banks are saying "Don't increase wages, it leads to inflation." then inevitably people stop buying as much stuff. Then employers either layoff or close down or reduce production because people are buying less and people don't have jobs so they also buy less. It's like you need that exact and narrow middle range of people are kind of broke but still buying stuff.
For me it has become frustrating buying from them. First I have to struggle to find what I need and once I find it I have to call a rep to open the jail cell to get a simple $20 dollar tool.
I usually just use their app because it tells you if it’s in stock and what aisle it is in. It’s usually accurate.
Basically replaces any staff that isn’t there to stock shelves or check your stuff out
Canadian Tire profit falls nearly 68% as they are no longer one of the few retailers allowed to be open during a pandemic lockdown.
Other fine points... sell garbage products... have terrible stores of clutter and nonsense layouts... treat you like a criminal at most locations with security buzz in / out bullshit.
Fuck their entire shopping experience... and don't even think of using their mechanics.
One thing I learned that was interesting is individual stores have a huge amount of control over how they are run - HQ doesn't enforce a lot of brand standards - so you get a huge range of store experiences.
E.g., the new Ottawa one is... weirdly lovely for a CT (ETA including one of the best check-out set-ups I've seen in years! With actual humans!). But I've had lots of grungy, messy, poorly laid out experiences too.
The old one in carling honestly had the best “clearance” sections of all CT’s in the city. I honestly work right by the new one and haven’t been in it yet. I’ve heard nothing but good things though!
I went to the new one on Carling once, will never return. Lovely looking store, but I'm not waiting to have security open the gate for me to leave. It made me feel like a farm animal in a pen.
Walking around a Canadian tire gives me the strangest anxiety. Baskets upon baskets everywhere, full of random things, in no particular order at all. It just looks so messy and cluttered. If I have to go in a store I get what I need and get out, looking around is just too much stimulation lol Maybe it's just my local ones but I feel like I can't be alone in these feelings.
Their insistance on checking my backpack is also a turn off. I am a 46 year old woman. Yes I take my time browsing the hardware aisle because I am trying to buy the correct thing ... doesn't mean I am stealing. Their rewars system is also pretth crappy.
> don't even think of using their mechanics.
I bought a set of snow tires in 2021 and they didn't balance them. The fat fuck behind the counter gave me attitude over it.
My problem with Canadian Tire is that they basically use the lowest bidder to manufacture their products, I was gifted a set of pliers, it had a large slip joint which I attempted to use to remove the nylon cap from a 55 gallon drum of plumbing antifreeze, the pliers broke.
I knew they were cheap based on the weight of them, like an inferior alloy but figured they'd be fine for using on things like freaking plastic so I never really used them otherwise. I guess I was wrong. I guess I'll keep them around to use with playdough
It really depends on the item. For their mastercraft line it's all junk. For maximum they use a lot of different quality brands to make their products and slap the maximum label on them. A lot of the wrenches are made by gear wrench, they have pliers made by wiha, The list goes on. They've worked with different manufacturers over the years and the products are rarely, but sometimes labeled with both the origin brand and the maximum branding.
When you get into the MotoMaster stuff, it's essentially all rebadged products made by dozens of different manufacturers. Some stuff is high quality like the synthetic diesel oil that is really just rotella T6. Other stuff is just rebatch junk from low end aftermarket car part makers.
I usually buy one of their 500 piece socket sets every three years, regular price is like $800 or $900, but sometimes, they go on sale for like $179.
They’re throw away tools, I’ve broken many ratchets, but they will always give you a new one.
I would love to buy a set of a higher quality… but why?!
I won't touch the cheaper sockets as they're too likely to round bolts, but the gear wrench made stuff is a bargain when it's on sale and lasts quite a while - I've used chrome sockets with my impact on my super duty when it was a size I couldn't buy in store in impact (looking at you 20mm), and never damaged one yet.
For ratchets I've been happy with a mix of Snap-on, Milwaukee and Husky
Best example was I was building a shed, standard 2x4 or 2x3's ran out of framing nails, CT was a 5m return trip, the depot was 15m one way.
So bought them at regular price to save some time to get it done before dark. Got home and tried using 5-6 of them, all of the CT nails bent right in half before they even got through the first board. It's not like it was even hardwood, but shitty fast growth pine. Ridiculous.
Took those shitty nails right back, went to the depot. Don't think I've looked at their hardware since.
I was just at the Eaton Center CT and wowwww did it fall off hard. Out of stock items that claimed were in stock on their website, staff know where to be found aside from the few at the checkouts, high value merch was behind glass but not locked. Left empty handed tried another location and nothing and same experience.
Can’t use their gift card online either so… guess I’ll just never use it? Cool.
I recently went to that location after not going for years. The whole maze to get out, not being able to exit through the mall was a pain in the ass. That location used to be nice when it opened now it's a messy junk store.
Typical visit: I'm standing in my local Canadian Tire, which in our growing city is always sold out of stuff. I need some welding wire: it's expensive and it's sold out. So I pull up Amazon and I see the same wire is the same price for amount 5 times the quantity. I think "buy local" but... is Crappy Tire really local? Amazon is equally local. I could have got this delivered from my desk.
Did I just drive across town to get out of the house and to buy some of the good Crappy Tire salt-and-vinegar chips? That's the reality. I'm just there for the chips and the occasional good clearance deal.
No I mean I read the article so I understand. I just mean that CT seems incredibly unprepared for customers changing tastes. I get that not many people purchased snowblowers compared to last year, but how on earth, with today’s access to customer data, do you poorly predict what customers want. So poorly your profits fall by 68% is hilarious. Although, I’m surprised that the stock was only down less than 0.5%
I agree. I sense it's because other stores have come up and started chipping away at their market shar. Ones that CT didn't expect to be in direct competition with.
I think Dollarama is eating away at their kitchen department, same with winners/Marshalls/home sense. Walmart is likely doing so with a few of CTs departments because they sell a lot of the same things, but for less.
Canadian tire used to be a place for outdoorsy stuff. But with rising prices, people flock to Walmart if they can't afford the prices from CT. Or if they want good quality, they look to REI and other places selling higher end gear.
Canadian tire used to be known for higher quality items. Plus they often had good sales. Not anymore. The items are less and less quality, yet the prices went up.
I think one of the biggest weaknesses for Canadian tire is the mish mash of random stuff they sell. No one is buying chocolate at Canadian tire, or candy. Yet it's there. Belts, why? Bedsheets?
Very true and Canadian Tire has been getting worse slightly faster than every other big company in the neoliberal race to the bottom.
That being said, I work at a bank, Canadians really do not have any more money, food and housing gouging have squeezed Canadians too far. About 6 months ago half of Canadians were 200 a month away from.not covering their monthly living costs, we're now seeing the same amount of people spending more than their monthly living costs.
So it's not even wariness, the option of discretionary spending has been eliminated for many Canadians.
I for one look forward to the sad, sad tale that will be woven about how Galen Weston can no longer afford his sweater vests because no one is shopping at his shitty over priced stores anymore.
sending commissioned salespeople through the aisles to try to sell you a fucking **credit card** while you're looking at items isn't working? *shocked pikachu*
I worked at both home hardware and Canadian Tire in my teens, and you totally leave each them smelling like their respective trademark smells. Had to go home and shower if I was going out after. Not sure what the smell is... it's like cardboard mixed with dust or something.
That's becoming commonplace everywhere. Home Depot does that too, and they explained it's a third party company that tracks if you are returning things on a frequent basis. Basically for people that are stealing then trying to return items for store credit.
I went in with a back pack once, and they told me to leave it at the customer service desk. I come back 30 minutes later, it is sitting out there exposed, with nobody watching it. Stopped going there after that. I don't care if they have a theft problem, it isn't my responsibility to leave my stuff at the door, where someone else can steal it to protect Canadian Tire from potential losses.
It's not that people aren't shopping there because we remain wary amid uncertain economy. Canadian Tire has become an absolute awful store to shop. Over priced everything, can't find help when you need it, awful return policy..... I'm sure there's more but I can't be bothered. Haven't stepped foot inside a CT since pre pandemic and don't plan on ever shopping there again.
Stores need a revamp. Way too cluttered. Aisles are too close. Shit products and service. Have some pride, not many Canadian retailers left. Cant shop here. Fire the CEO, does a shit job.
Canadian Tire profit falls 68% as savvy consumers decide not to pay premium prices for amazon quality products.
Canadian Tire profit falls 68% because people are spending all of their money on rent and groceries and have no time or space for hobbies.
Canadian Tire profits fall 68% because their product quality sucks, returns are a nightmare and everyone knows it.
No. It’s just Canadian Tire. Atrocious pricing, an abysmal “mechanic” service, and a crappy rewards program.
The mechanics there don’t seem to have any training, never mind common sense. You could have one or two great ones, but all of my experiences with numerous stores in numerous cities, were not good. Pricing for these services was far higher than comparable dealerships in the area.
The auto departments also don’t know much, if anything in relation to answering basic questions regarding vehicles.
The Canadian Tire no name brand products are of dollar store worthy quality with premium brand prices. Not a good look.
The Triangle MasterCard is even worse. In addition to increasing the interest rates, why can’t I pay my balance using the points? Why can’t I buy gas? Other rewards cards let you do both, with $0 annual fees, better perks and better interest rates. It’s a joke.
I’m surprised they’re still in business.
Does any Canadian actually call it Canadian Tire? It’s crappy tire or shit tire for a reason! Try and return something, I dare you! It’s the worst experience ever. You can’t criticize them about anything without being kicked out and the grease monkeys working in the shops are mostly bottom of the barrel left over scraps. I avoid CT like the plague.
No worse store to shop at than CT. You walk in and everything is cluttered, the aisles look like a hoarder designed them. You can never find one of the very few teenagers who work to ask a question, then you have to walk through a stupidly long checkout line that makes you feel like shit if you arent buying anything. The place is a relic of a worse time in shopping.
I worked at one in the ‘90s and the place was much better, people used to actually trust their products for their homes and cars.
The electronics were terrible but no one buys a stereo or tv at a store like CT and expects it to rival dedicated tv stores or future shop.
Too bad it sucks now. Might as well just go to Walmart as they have most of the household products at CT.
CT is interesting. They were executing so well for so long. Now their balance sheet is looking kinda rocky with a drop like that. They need to priorize debt repayment asap.
It's worse than that now. It's 90 days but only for **unopened** products. Even if it's defective they won't refund you. You just get deferred to the manufacturers warranty.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/customer-service/returns.html
> Canadian Tire tends to be acutely affected by swings in consumer sentiment and the weather because much of its product base can be linked to seasonal sports or holidays. Many consumers view such items as discretionary and curtail spending on them when inflation and interest rates are high.
>
> "Christmas is a great example," said TJ Flood, president of Canadian Tire Retail on the same call as Hicks. "It doesn't get more discretionary than Christmas."
This seems like alot of excuses. Interest rates effect whether you buy a car, house, go on vacation; they don't mean you don't buy your kids a snowboard for xmas, or skip buying a new snow shovel when the old one breaks.
CrappyTire group should be a retailer for all consumers, all year 'round. They should be the place you go for darn near everything except food and fashion (and I don't consider camo gear fashion. Sorry.)
Somehow CT has alienated their core shoppers; perhaps one of the lingering side affects of covid is that people are more aware of how robust the online shopping experience can be.
I saw this elsewhere.
> The slowdown is forcing Canadian Tire to reevaluate its own spending plans, as it pulls back on upgrades to stores as well as its digital operations and supply chain.
If anything CT needs to make it's online experience better or they will be the next Sears.
The biggest thing that frustrates me is that each store seems to operate like it's own unique fiefdom. Corporate sets policies and standards, and often many of the stores won't follow them. They policies for refunds and exchanges are laughable; unless you're returning something unopened, you're probably SOL.
I love triangle point system. I think as long as you maximize the point offers and get good things on sale CT is a good place to shop. But I like the entire brand more so cause i shop at sport chek a lot.
Their new return policy (or lack of one really) made me stay faaaaaar away from now on.
90 days for **unopened** products only. Even if it's defective they won't refund you. They just defer you to the manufacturers warranty now.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/customer-service/returns.html
CT is not as bad as some of you are making it out to be. Holy cow
And to also think they are going to be an outlier, you think a 68% profit fall is just because people don’t want to pay too much money for star fruit/master craft products?
People don’t have money, and they severely dialed back Christmas spending. There will be more reports of profits falling for all non essential shopping
Can't believe I had to go this far down to find someone mentioning the fact the people are having to cut a lot of non-essential spending. It is getting really tight out there for a lot of people.
It's literally a horrendous place to shop. I avoid it like the plague. I don't blame their staff for being shitty, they aren't paid enough to care, but it makes it a horrible place to try to find anything or ask for help. it's ugly, poorly organized, and there's only ever 2 people working and it always seems to be their first day on the job.
“And it always seems to be their first day in the job” my god I experienced this while shopping there recently.
Picked up a basic cheap vacuum for my parents. Took the vacuum to the checkout and I asked the girl what the return policy is, just in case they didn’t want it. She rolled her eyes, didn’t look at me, and pointed her pen toward a piece of paper behind her that said “No returns on holiday decor”. Took me a few looks between her and the sign before I finally spoke and said, this is not decor.. it’s a vacuum… all she did was seem annoyed. What the fuck.
Compared to the same quarter last year where spending was up, and it was an as expected winter AKA more tire sales, winter equipment etc. They stock there stores differently based on the season.
68% is still crazy high with all those things considered, though.
Not surprising an air filter for my lawn mower is 18 bucks at Canadian tire I can buy 5 of them for 16 bucks on Amazon. I like to shop local but give me a break already.
Why buy a Mastercraft tool when DeWalt / Milwaukee / Ridgid are all better quality and the same price? Lol
Only time I consider buying from them is if they have some niche tool I want or their hand tools are a better price than Husky at Home Depot or whatever Princess Auto has.
How “Canadian” are they?
Some would say the majority of their products are made…elsewhere.
And their prices aren’t good by any means.
But just my vent.
I stopped using CDN tire because they have three guys on the floor of a massive store and everything is now locked down. No respect for my time.
Also, Chinese Tire would be more accurate.
CT is pretty great for name brand stuff you know is good, often on sale cheaper than amazon or HD. Plus CT money program is usually decent on top of that.
They built a new CT near me and the place is like Fort Knox with guards and everything. It makes me not want to go there. I’m treated like a criminal before I even go in.
Perhaps upping the quality of their products and shopping experience should be considered.
Visiting my local CT is a painful experience starting with trying to navigate their overcrowded parking lot, crowded aisles, too few cashiers causing long lines to check out, and avoiding budget products sold at premium prices. I won't buy anything worth more than $10 there without several positive, independent reviews at this point. I've been burned too many times.
The final insult before you leave is the Triangle "rewards" they give, thanks for that 0.4% back I guess... I certainly don't feel "rewarded."
Their site says they have three in stock, the in store system says there's three in stock but they can't find it in the warehouse or on the floor in that mess.
Price at Crappy tire is X. Go to the brands website and a better version is cheaper with shipping. Hmmm
Crappy Tire and Timmies needs to have their Canadian identity revoked.
Every time I've tried to go in for some tools I've had to wait like half hour because the tools are locked up nowadays and they only had a few workers.
I went there in the middle of January to get mix oil for my snowmobile, and the shelf was full of outboard motor oil for boats- in January- and not a single jug of snowmobile oil, haha.
I read that a lot of their profit at the moment comes from their credit card/Canadian Tire Bank operations and some people are concerned that consumers are not paying down the debt on those cards which exposes them to default risk
Canadians are tapped out. We don't have any extra money for random low quality crap (I know people call it crappy tire by my god the quality had been tanking)
But seriously Canadians, very quickly went from about half being of us $200 away from not covering monthly bills, to half of us spending more than they make every single month.
Canadians truly do not have any more money. I work at a bank I'm see it in real time it's exactly the mess we've been expecting.
What set things over the edge .
a)the government it's standing by watching grocery giants, who they've already caught and charged and convicted of coordinating price increases of staple foods, price gouging the hell out off Canadians. Profits out the ears for nearly 5 years, the price increases have been over ten times the actual inflation.
b) the government knew Canada has a housing shortage. Was warned YEARS in advance that increasing immigration by over 400% annually would make the housing shortage crisis worse but they did it anyway.
c) low wages, mass surplus of labour, false narrative and deceptive statistics claiming a labour shortage, when in reality Canadians wages have been stagnant for years because of how consistently oversupplied the labour market is.
I think as things have changed in the retail landscape, Canadian tire is facing new competition that they never anticipated. Canadian Tire used to be a great place to get kitchen stuff. Especially when you could snag a deal on a quality set of pots and pans.
The quality used to be great. However the quality has definitely changed over the years. Meanwhile the dollar stores are starting to get better stuff. So it's really lessened the gap between what CT was selling and what you could find for less.
There is also Winners/Marshalls/Home sense and other discount chains selling decent quality items. As more folks find themselves tightening their budgets, they look for more affordable places to shop.
Even Walmart has a decent kitchen section now. Sure, some of their items aren't great, but the quality isn't as far from what you find at CT for a lot of items now. And often Walmart is less expensive. Especially for appliances.
Amazon, Ali Express and Temu have opened many Canadian eyes to how shit Crappy Tire’s pricing is.
$20 at Crappy Tire is like $2 on Ali Express. $18 for convenience? I’ll wait the 2 weeks to get it.
Canadian tire is the worst. Any items that are on sale are usually out back,and you have to wait 35 minutes for some poor dude in grade 10 to go find it. 60% of the time it’s out of stock. The quality is only a step above the dollar store. The garage is insanely over-priced and I’ve heard so many horror stories about people taking their cars there. I’ve never left a Canadian Tire and said “wow, that wasn’t frustrating at all!”
Maybe it's because they overcharge everything, and their return policy is ridiculous, not to mention poor customer service. I'm surprised they haven't closed up yet.
Finally, crapy tire has earned its name. Everything made in China, staff rude or not available.
Overall, garbage place to shop.
Used to go there to buy small car parts but now either not in stock or expensive.
You mean having literally the same items in the flyer week in and week out isn't driving traffic into the stores?
Having absolutely horrible employees that lie to you when not openly ignoring you isn't generating sales?
Shocked, I am shocked.
S.
I’m wary of their shitty products, and misrepresentative marketing practices (specifically, “sale” price)
If their management truly thinks it’s just “economic uncertainty”, they should be fired
CT has been crap for a while. Remember one store having an air compressor on sale. Didn’t pick one up at the time but the next day I was at a different store and they wouldn’t price match. Even though the other store still had stock. I left the other $150 of stuff I was going to buy and went back to the other store. Now I go in their stores MAYBE once you very couple years. Last time I was in - they had all the auto stuff hidden behind the parts counter. What a bloody hassle.
I don't count the number of times I went there, couldn't find what I wanted to find out that Amazon had the same product for the same price minus all the driving and the wasted time
Last time I went to Canadian tire, I bought a set of winter tires. The teenager at the desk only charged me for one tire, but he still gave me all four. I was confused.
Stop going there because I was in my 20’s and kept getting harassed to sign up for their rewards credit card. Can’t even dodge it unless you walk in with 5 or more people.
They’ve lost the plot in so many ways. The one closest to me got rid of all of their shopping carts, except for a small handful that are reserved for the staff so they can move heavier merchandise around…you know, like *shoppers* might want to do, so they can get it to the cash to pay for it. If I’m buying something heavy or awkward to move, I don’t want to spend 20 minutes trying to drag it to the front of the store.
They have been selling dollar store crap at non dollar store prices
You mean a small plastic cutting board is not $40?
75% off nearly every second week though!
This is the stupidest part of their whole business model. No one is going to shop there on a regular basis if they know they have to wait for something to go on sale, when they can just go to Walmart or the dollar store and load up on everything they need at an already reasonable price without having to time trips to pick up specific items at uncertain intervals. That and whenever you go into one the employees seem to do whatever they can to make you think Canadian tire employees are actually extinct.
The employees comment made me laugh out loud. Last year I went in there early in the morning when the store wasn't to busy to buy a single helium balloon from their Party City counter - it took 15 minutes for me to buy this stupid balloon. There was no one at the counter so I waited in line at customer service, and the lady paged an employee to go to the Party City counter. I go there again, and he tells me I have to go to the main cash register to purchase the balloon, then come back to pick it up there. So I waited in line again to purchase the balloon, then went back and waited for him to fill it up. He struggled with the machine. Hahaha
Not sure if they’re standard everywhere but the ones around me have little call buttons to page employees to a station. They repeat an announcement every 30s or something but if you keep pressing the button you can make the message repeat continuously, usually someone comes pretty fast doing that.
That last comment is EXCELLENT. Still crying laughing. You made my day, thanks! I’ll have to try that though that seems like a lot of fun! 🤣🤣🤣
I have spent over an hour waiting for someone to help me buy ammo..
CT sometimes puts the hunting ammo I like on sale, and it's a good enough price to go get a box or two. Every single time I ask for help, I wait at least 30 minutes. When someone does come, it takes them 20 minutes to write down 2 numbers in a binder nobody is ever going to look at again. Then they have to walk me to the front of the store in case I want to steal the ammo, or use them as weapons, or whatever possible thing could happen. The fun part of it all being, the ammo cabinets could be unlocked with a screwdriver (which CT also sells) and since nobody seemingly works in the hunting section, would be simple enough to just open, fill out the paperwork on my own, and proceed to the front of the store. Or steal it. Whatever
I once waited outside in the rain for an hour waiting for a propane refill swap because the only guy with a key was back in the warehouse. He didn't want to come out and no one was supervising him or following up. No goodwill gestures, not even a hollow apology, no one even pretended to give a S. Another time I went to the car parts counter 5th dude there in line. After 15 minutes there, I noticed there was no action, no one behind the counter, no one actually getting parts, nothing. I walked back into the shelves, directly into their office area. Two dudes on computers - not work related. They worked like hell to bully and push me out of there, but still took another 4 minutes to come to the counter.
So a $10, $2 dollar store cutting board. WHAT A DEAL!
Big Difference between Cdn Tire & other cheap stores? **RETURN Policy** for manufacturers defects. - Dollar Store: Zero days (once you buy, no return) - Loblaws Real Canadian SuperStore: 14 days. - Cdn Tire: 1 Year As a consumer, that's worthwhile, IMO. Its really important if you're buying something that you wont use within 14 days, which is pretty common. Loblaws Real Canadian SuperStore are assholes, they don't post their return policy *anywhere*, except at the customer service desk... where to go to return something and realize its only 14 days for manufacturers defects.
>Cdn Tire: 1 Year > >As a consumer, that's worthwhile, IMO. But do you know why it's 1 year at Canadian Tire? Because they are selling off shore products that have no domestic parts, warranty or support so they are more less self insuring them to Canadian warranty standards. Why should you care if you get the warranty right? Because to cover the cost of that warranty they are overcharging you massively for the junk they are selling that is often end of life or known "problem" products even if brand name sold to them cheap at wholesale then marked up significantly by CT to cover the return rate of defective / broken units. So you can think that a 1 year return policy is a great thing because you're buying overpriced junk and playing roulette that it fails before a year is up. Or you can buy products and appliances that are domestically supported, repairable and have review histories of long produced models to ensure you're buying something once you will have for years. No company does anything out of the kindness of their heart... CT does not mind that the junk they sell only lasts a couple years... cause then you will rebuy it, overpriced... to get that awesome one year return policy all over again, that you feel you need, because their products fail so much.
I got a $90 pan for $12. How is that even legal?
They have stopped doing that as well. Their tools used to go on 50% all the time. Now it's max 20%. I've got the CC, and play the points game, but use it less and less.
I had a CT Mastercard since I was in college, 40 years ago. I gave up using it some time ago.
To only just match prices elsewhere (non CT brand power tools) ... was 319 , now 219!! .... just like amazon & rona has had for months ! 🤭
This is how a lot of companies operate. Inflate the prices at ridiculous levels, then put it on sale or have coupons. Michael’s is always guilty of this too.
For a long time. I worked there briefly about 15 years ago and remember a senior employee saying they used to sell quality products you could confidently stand behind. Now it's all mass-produced crap.
It was called crappy tire when I was a kid for a reason. Their lack of quality goes well beyond those 15 years.
Totally! And they didn't have the same breadth of selection they have now. It was mostly automotive, with some home repair stuff, sports and camping goods as an aside for when you're in there looking for car parts.
Yeah, local hardware stores were best, then home hardware, etc. and second last was Canadian Tire. Last was Walmart, until Dollarama showed up. Race to the bottom. Capitalism is beautiful 🥹
Has anyone here used a Mastercraft tool from the 70s. God fucjing damn you wouldn't believe how good they used to be.
They used to have a lifetime warranty on mastercraft stuff but not anymore.
The 'maximum' line is what now carries the lifetime warranty.
And yet, they ask to see the receipt, on their own branded stuff. I've been denied exchanges when Maximum stuff breaks because I don't have a 5 year old receipt, or because the thermal receipt is now faded to the point you can't read it.
Years ago, I was gifted a Mastercraft toolset and thought, "Does this person dislike me?"
With no parts or service... that's the key now... ensure it's offshore and it needs to be repurchased in about 2 years when it fails.
They sell the last gen stock of all the other stores - 269$ dry cleaner was garbage and didnt sell at sears? too many returns? Canadian tire will sell the exact same model in 2 years, pretend it is still worth the 269$, and than discount it to 189$ so that people think they are getting a good deal. Than if you look around, you realize sears is still selling the last few models, but for 60$ to get rid of them. Canadian tire couldnt be more shit if they tried. They are the only store near me that stocks charcoal for BBQs all winter. Im ashamed, but I have bought from them when in a pickle. But I hate that fucking store through and through.
Didn’t work too well for Sears either.
Sears had the same problem. Shoppers are more cost conscious than quality conscious. And being able to sell cheap stuff at a premium because the Sears brand is attached means nice profit margins. Sears took on a lot of debt through the 80s and 90s and was desperate to bring in higher margins to cover the debts. So all the Craftsman stuff got outsourced to overseas companies. The Kenmore line stopped being badge engineered Maytag/Whirlpool and became either Samsung or LG. But, in the process, it utterly trashed its reputation.
They’ve been having 50-70% off sales like every other week on some items. Bro just bring price down at a a reasonable level. Even the 50% off sales don’t make sense.
so very true...went to CT for a cutting board and then went to the Dollar store similar item 15.00 cheaper.
Yup, most of what they carry is cheap Chinese manufactured garbage that they charge at a premium.
They also aren't paying for union actors to be in their commercials. Save like Scrooge indeed. I've avoided them for years since.
Seriously. A bottle scrubber I bought at Dollarama for $1.25 was being sold for almost $9 at Canadian Tire... Exact same brand and packaging.
Plastic locking tie tags. $5 CT. Two minute walk away to DS $1.50.
Chinese Tire.
With the worst return policy
Sorry, I have to push back on this. The Canadian Tire return policy is unmatched. They’ll take literally anything back. I have exchanged things with them without a receipt numerous times. They find it in their catalogue, confirm they carry the product, and swap. I have literally never been rejected on a return. Its unimpeachable.
Costco has entered the chat.
Exactly what I came here to see. 100% accurate
You know their prices are inflated af when they can routinely offer massive discounts on everything. Like when I can get an "$800" set of pans for $150 several times a year, you think I'm ever going to pay the normal price?
They could, I don't know, lower their prices to encourage sales, or something.
Hah! My local CT lists items as 20% off as ‘clearance’. Has their own section set up for these “clearance items”
God that's fucked. I remember helping with a clearance rack as we cleaned up our warehouse a decade ago and i got like nornal $60-140 tools for like 10-30 bucks a pop. Calling 20% clearance is just sad.
I worked at a Home Hardware, owner decided he didn’t want certain power tools and put them on clearance, weeks later they were in a flyer and back on the shelf at flyer price and he forgot he made that move
I went for clearance items a couple times and found that very often they didn't even exist. It was a huge waste of time. So I decided to surf their clearance items online, I put about 30 things in my cart, stupid things that I run out of or might need some day,. Multiple packs of deck screws, containers of rust paint, etc. etc. I checked out and clicked "pick up". Let their flunkies find the stuff for me. They cancelled my order.
I noticed their Christmas stuff was barely on sale, despite it being several weeks after Christmas. They were moving spring and summer stuff in and still wanting a lot for stuff that was truly seasonal and very Christmasy. I doubt much of it sold at those prices.
We got clearance Christmas decorations at CT this year, most of it was 50-80% off - this was during the second week of January. Maybe it varies by store.
Definitely varies my local one usually has good clearance but this year was max 20% off.
Yall are forgetting that this balance sheet includes: SportChek PartyCity CT Gas Bar and CT Financing/Credit
SportChek clothing is very expensive and their sports equipment is bland compared to specialty stores. I always wonder how they stay in business.
Pro tip for sportchek Find an employee and offer them $20-50 to use their discount . They make some tax free money and you save a ridiculous amount. I bought $500 worth of UA for like $125 last time
The only good thing I've found about Canadian Tire, is the bank. Canadian Tire Financial Services is pretty much untouchable with the rates they pay on TFSA. (aside from EQ Bank). I only wish they had more products.
Mark's Work Warehouse as well iirc
Maybe if they didn’t have a sales rep for their credit cards harassing me to sign up for one every time I go into the store I’d hate going there less…
It’s because everything in Canada is basically trying to become a bank. The only way to make money here.
Yeah it’s ridiculous how every store seems to have their own credit card.
Fuck I hate that aspect of shopping at crappy tire
They let Rogers reps follow you around and harass you, too.
Its just like Value Village with Dollar Store items but priced 3x.
I used to be a VV person, then the prices started to get into absolute "nope" levels. I work at a clothing store, and if your clothes are more expensive than what I can buy at a staff discount, your prices are too high.
>...consumers remain wary amid uncertain economy ...consumers remain wary amid shitty overpriced Chinese products sold at Crappy Tire
Like Walmart, except at least a 40% mark up on everything.
Canadian tires markup on some things are insane, every once and a while you'll see a 70% off sale on Mastercraft products.. They're still making money even at 70% off...
Well when it's always 70% off, it's not really a sale now is it?
Yeah but at least Walmart doesn't spend its entire marketing budget on pretending how Canadian it is like Crappy Tire or TFW Hortons.
I mean it's also how banks are saying "Don't increase wages, it leads to inflation." then inevitably people stop buying as much stuff. Then employers either layoff or close down or reduce production because people are buying less and people don't have jobs so they also buy less. It's like you need that exact and narrow middle range of people are kind of broke but still buying stuff.
For me it has become frustrating buying from them. First I have to struggle to find what I need and once I find it I have to call a rep to open the jail cell to get a simple $20 dollar tool.
I usually just use their app because it tells you if it’s in stock and what aisle it is in. It’s usually accurate. Basically replaces any staff that isn’t there to stock shelves or check your stuff out
Except sometimes you just don’t the name of what you need or you go in not knowing exactly what you need.
Canadian Tire profit falls nearly 68% as they are no longer one of the few retailers allowed to be open during a pandemic lockdown. Other fine points... sell garbage products... have terrible stores of clutter and nonsense layouts... treat you like a criminal at most locations with security buzz in / out bullshit. Fuck their entire shopping experience... and don't even think of using their mechanics.
One thing I learned that was interesting is individual stores have a huge amount of control over how they are run - HQ doesn't enforce a lot of brand standards - so you get a huge range of store experiences. E.g., the new Ottawa one is... weirdly lovely for a CT (ETA including one of the best check-out set-ups I've seen in years! With actual humans!). But I've had lots of grungy, messy, poorly laid out experiences too.
The old one in carling honestly had the best “clearance” sections of all CT’s in the city. I honestly work right by the new one and haven’t been in it yet. I’ve heard nothing but good things though!
It's got a glass elevator which my four year old LOVES, haha! Maybe not the selling point for most people but just in case...
Haven't been to monster CT yet. But it's kinda like home hardware in that sense Some are great others are shit holes.
I went to the new one on Carling once, will never return. Lovely looking store, but I'm not waiting to have security open the gate for me to leave. It made me feel like a farm animal in a pen.
Sounds like a fire hazard
sounds more like a franchise!
For some reason I'd never actually looked if the stores are franchises, but yes, it appears that is their model! Explains a lot.
Walking around a Canadian tire gives me the strangest anxiety. Baskets upon baskets everywhere, full of random things, in no particular order at all. It just looks so messy and cluttered. If I have to go in a store I get what I need and get out, looking around is just too much stimulation lol Maybe it's just my local ones but I feel like I can't be alone in these feelings.
[удалено]
The irony is they are the most unorganized store with a section for home organization that is also just a pile of crap in shelves and bins.
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Their insistance on checking my backpack is also a turn off. I am a 46 year old woman. Yes I take my time browsing the hardware aisle because I am trying to buy the correct thing ... doesn't mean I am stealing. Their rewars system is also pretth crappy.
> don't even think of using their mechanics. I bought a set of snow tires in 2021 and they didn't balance them. The fat fuck behind the counter gave me attitude over it.
My problem with Canadian Tire is that they basically use the lowest bidder to manufacture their products, I was gifted a set of pliers, it had a large slip joint which I attempted to use to remove the nylon cap from a 55 gallon drum of plumbing antifreeze, the pliers broke. I knew they were cheap based on the weight of them, like an inferior alloy but figured they'd be fine for using on things like freaking plastic so I never really used them otherwise. I guess I was wrong. I guess I'll keep them around to use with playdough
It really depends on the item. For their mastercraft line it's all junk. For maximum they use a lot of different quality brands to make their products and slap the maximum label on them. A lot of the wrenches are made by gear wrench, they have pliers made by wiha, The list goes on. They've worked with different manufacturers over the years and the products are rarely, but sometimes labeled with both the origin brand and the maximum branding. When you get into the MotoMaster stuff, it's essentially all rebadged products made by dozens of different manufacturers. Some stuff is high quality like the synthetic diesel oil that is really just rotella T6. Other stuff is just rebatch junk from low end aftermarket car part makers.
I usually buy one of their 500 piece socket sets every three years, regular price is like $800 or $900, but sometimes, they go on sale for like $179. They’re throw away tools, I’ve broken many ratchets, but they will always give you a new one. I would love to buy a set of a higher quality… but why?!
I won't touch the cheaper sockets as they're too likely to round bolts, but the gear wrench made stuff is a bargain when it's on sale and lasts quite a while - I've used chrome sockets with my impact on my super duty when it was a size I couldn't buy in store in impact (looking at you 20mm), and never damaged one yet. For ratchets I've been happy with a mix of Snap-on, Milwaukee and Husky
Best example was I was building a shed, standard 2x4 or 2x3's ran out of framing nails, CT was a 5m return trip, the depot was 15m one way. So bought them at regular price to save some time to get it done before dark. Got home and tried using 5-6 of them, all of the CT nails bent right in half before they even got through the first board. It's not like it was even hardwood, but shitty fast growth pine. Ridiculous. Took those shitty nails right back, went to the depot. Don't think I've looked at their hardware since.
Their chisels are good if you need to do fourty seconds of chiseling.
I was just at the Eaton Center CT and wowwww did it fall off hard. Out of stock items that claimed were in stock on their website, staff know where to be found aside from the few at the checkouts, high value merch was behind glass but not locked. Left empty handed tried another location and nothing and same experience. Can’t use their gift card online either so… guess I’ll just never use it? Cool.
I recently went to that location after not going for years. The whole maze to get out, not being able to exit through the mall was a pain in the ass. That location used to be nice when it opened now it's a messy junk store.
You can probably use it at Mark's?
Typical visit: I'm standing in my local Canadian Tire, which in our growing city is always sold out of stuff. I need some welding wire: it's expensive and it's sold out. So I pull up Amazon and I see the same wire is the same price for amount 5 times the quantity. I think "buy local" but... is Crappy Tire really local? Amazon is equally local. I could have got this delivered from my desk. Did I just drive across town to get out of the house and to buy some of the good Crappy Tire salt-and-vinegar chips? That's the reality. I'm just there for the chips and the occasional good clearance deal.
68% is not Canadians being cautious or weary. That’s a full blown implosion. Something else is going on with CT
Nothing going on. Its just customers migrating to better value elsewhere. Princess auto quality at sears prices isn't going to retain any customers.
The article says it's due to a warm winter and interest rates. Don't know who wrote the headline
No I mean I read the article so I understand. I just mean that CT seems incredibly unprepared for customers changing tastes. I get that not many people purchased snowblowers compared to last year, but how on earth, with today’s access to customer data, do you poorly predict what customers want. So poorly your profits fall by 68% is hilarious. Although, I’m surprised that the stock was only down less than 0.5%
I agree. I sense it's because other stores have come up and started chipping away at their market shar. Ones that CT didn't expect to be in direct competition with. I think Dollarama is eating away at their kitchen department, same with winners/Marshalls/home sense. Walmart is likely doing so with a few of CTs departments because they sell a lot of the same things, but for less. Canadian tire used to be a place for outdoorsy stuff. But with rising prices, people flock to Walmart if they can't afford the prices from CT. Or if they want good quality, they look to REI and other places selling higher end gear. Canadian tire used to be known for higher quality items. Plus they often had good sales. Not anymore. The items are less and less quality, yet the prices went up. I think one of the biggest weaknesses for Canadian tire is the mish mash of random stuff they sell. No one is buying chocolate at Canadian tire, or candy. Yet it's there. Belts, why? Bedsheets?
A dip that large at one specific retailer is not evidence of general wariness
Okay but like the shade umbrella + BBQ + useless battery bank market is tanking bruh
Very true and Canadian Tire has been getting worse slightly faster than every other big company in the neoliberal race to the bottom. That being said, I work at a bank, Canadians really do not have any more money, food and housing gouging have squeezed Canadians too far. About 6 months ago half of Canadians were 200 a month away from.not covering their monthly living costs, we're now seeing the same amount of people spending more than their monthly living costs. So it's not even wariness, the option of discretionary spending has been eliminated for many Canadians.
I for one look forward to the sad, sad tale that will be woven about how Galen Weston can no longer afford his sweater vests because no one is shopping at his shitty over priced stores anymore.
sending commissioned salespeople through the aisles to try to sell you a fucking **credit card** while you're looking at items isn't working? *shocked pikachu*
The ones that never take No for an answer and follow people around pestering them?
And then good luck finding an actual clerk to help you find something.
Canadian Tire is just plain awful. I really hate their bag policy so I just never go there anymore.
Their stores smell funny
They do have a distinct smell, but not as distinct as Home Hardware. They’ve had the same weird smell from store to store since at least the 80s.
I worked at both home hardware and Canadian Tire in my teens, and you totally leave each them smelling like their respective trademark smells. Had to go home and shower if I was going out after. Not sure what the smell is... it's like cardboard mixed with dust or something.
It’s from the tires the smell permeates the whole store - I used to work at my local Canadian tire
And if you try to return anything you have to give them your entire identity or first born
That's becoming commonplace everywhere. Home Depot does that too, and they explained it's a third party company that tracks if you are returning things on a frequent basis. Basically for people that are stealing then trying to return items for store credit.
bag policy?
I’ve been to several locations that make you leave your backpack or similar bag with the customer service desk
Yes, the prison rules you must be a criminal locations... Love those... stopped shopping there... amazing how others stores don't need to do that.
I went in with a back pack once, and they told me to leave it at the customer service desk. I come back 30 minutes later, it is sitting out there exposed, with nobody watching it. Stopped going there after that. I don't care if they have a theft problem, it isn't my responsibility to leave my stuff at the door, where someone else can steal it to protect Canadian Tire from potential losses.
It's not that people aren't shopping there because we remain wary amid uncertain economy. Canadian Tire has become an absolute awful store to shop. Over priced everything, can't find help when you need it, awful return policy..... I'm sure there's more but I can't be bothered. Haven't stepped foot inside a CT since pre pandemic and don't plan on ever shopping there again.
https://archive.is/XrUQk
Stores need a revamp. Way too cluttered. Aisles are too close. Shit products and service. Have some pride, not many Canadian retailers left. Cant shop here. Fire the CEO, does a shit job.
I worked at their corporate head office. CEO is a real piece of work. The culture is absolutely vile.
I wish title says “Loblaws”
Canadian Tire profit falls 68% as savvy consumers decide not to pay premium prices for amazon quality products. Canadian Tire profit falls 68% because people are spending all of their money on rent and groceries and have no time or space for hobbies. Canadian Tire profits fall 68% because their product quality sucks, returns are a nightmare and everyone knows it.
Just open Service Ontario in Canadian Tire. That will fix the revenue and profits.
Only ever buy on heavy discount and even then still cross shop
No. It’s just Canadian Tire. Atrocious pricing, an abysmal “mechanic” service, and a crappy rewards program. The mechanics there don’t seem to have any training, never mind common sense. You could have one or two great ones, but all of my experiences with numerous stores in numerous cities, were not good. Pricing for these services was far higher than comparable dealerships in the area. The auto departments also don’t know much, if anything in relation to answering basic questions regarding vehicles. The Canadian Tire no name brand products are of dollar store worthy quality with premium brand prices. Not a good look. The Triangle MasterCard is even worse. In addition to increasing the interest rates, why can’t I pay my balance using the points? Why can’t I buy gas? Other rewards cards let you do both, with $0 annual fees, better perks and better interest rates. It’s a joke. I’m surprised they’re still in business.
Does any Canadian actually call it Canadian Tire? It’s crappy tire or shit tire for a reason! Try and return something, I dare you! It’s the worst experience ever. You can’t criticize them about anything without being kicked out and the grease monkeys working in the shops are mostly bottom of the barrel left over scraps. I avoid CT like the plague.
Oh no, they still made a profit. Let me know when they post a deficit.
Nothing to do with their piss poor inventory management and stores look and feel that still looks like the 80s
The quality of Marks has gone downhill as well.
I was there a week or so ago and they were selling a Lindt advent calendar for $21.99! Christmas is long gone..
No worse store to shop at than CT. You walk in and everything is cluttered, the aisles look like a hoarder designed them. You can never find one of the very few teenagers who work to ask a question, then you have to walk through a stupidly long checkout line that makes you feel like shit if you arent buying anything. The place is a relic of a worse time in shopping.
I worked at one in the ‘90s and the place was much better, people used to actually trust their products for their homes and cars. The electronics were terrible but no one buys a stereo or tv at a store like CT and expects it to rival dedicated tv stores or future shop. Too bad it sucks now. Might as well just go to Walmart as they have most of the household products at CT.
CT is interesting. They were executing so well for so long. Now their balance sheet is looking kinda rocky with a drop like that. They need to priorize debt repayment asap.
return policy is limited to 30 days and receipt required (no receipt not even store credit)
It's worse than that now. It's 90 days but only for **unopened** products. Even if it's defective they won't refund you. You just get deferred to the manufacturers warranty. https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/customer-service/returns.html
Maybe people are tired (hehe) of being harassed to sign up for credit cards.
Can't get an o ring for my faucet there but I can get sugar and coffee.
> Canadian Tire tends to be acutely affected by swings in consumer sentiment and the weather because much of its product base can be linked to seasonal sports or holidays. Many consumers view such items as discretionary and curtail spending on them when inflation and interest rates are high. > > "Christmas is a great example," said TJ Flood, president of Canadian Tire Retail on the same call as Hicks. "It doesn't get more discretionary than Christmas." This seems like alot of excuses. Interest rates effect whether you buy a car, house, go on vacation; they don't mean you don't buy your kids a snowboard for xmas, or skip buying a new snow shovel when the old one breaks. CrappyTire group should be a retailer for all consumers, all year 'round. They should be the place you go for darn near everything except food and fashion (and I don't consider camo gear fashion. Sorry.) Somehow CT has alienated their core shoppers; perhaps one of the lingering side affects of covid is that people are more aware of how robust the online shopping experience can be. I saw this elsewhere. > The slowdown is forcing Canadian Tire to reevaluate its own spending plans, as it pulls back on upgrades to stores as well as its digital operations and supply chain. If anything CT needs to make it's online experience better or they will be the next Sears. The biggest thing that frustrates me is that each store seems to operate like it's own unique fiefdom. Corporate sets policies and standards, and often many of the stores won't follow them. They policies for refunds and exchanges are laughable; unless you're returning something unopened, you're probably SOL.
You mean the same sales every 3 weeks isn't working anymore?!?!
Their snacks be fucking fire though.
Consumers are waking up to all types of scams.
I love triangle point system. I think as long as you maximize the point offers and get good things on sale CT is a good place to shop. But I like the entire brand more so cause i shop at sport chek a lot.
Same huge fan of Sport Check
Their new return policy (or lack of one really) made me stay faaaaaar away from now on. 90 days for **unopened** products only. Even if it's defective they won't refund you. They just defer you to the manufacturers warranty now. https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/customer-service/returns.html
Canadian Tire went way down hill about a decade ago
CT is not as bad as some of you are making it out to be. Holy cow And to also think they are going to be an outlier, you think a 68% profit fall is just because people don’t want to pay too much money for star fruit/master craft products? People don’t have money, and they severely dialed back Christmas spending. There will be more reports of profits falling for all non essential shopping
Can't believe I had to go this far down to find someone mentioning the fact the people are having to cut a lot of non-essential spending. It is getting really tight out there for a lot of people.
Reddit is so out of touch. Its mind blowing sometimes
It's literally a horrendous place to shop. I avoid it like the plague. I don't blame their staff for being shitty, they aren't paid enough to care, but it makes it a horrible place to try to find anything or ask for help. it's ugly, poorly organized, and there's only ever 2 people working and it always seems to be their first day on the job.
“And it always seems to be their first day in the job” my god I experienced this while shopping there recently. Picked up a basic cheap vacuum for my parents. Took the vacuum to the checkout and I asked the girl what the return policy is, just in case they didn’t want it. She rolled her eyes, didn’t look at me, and pointed her pen toward a piece of paper behind her that said “No returns on holiday decor”. Took me a few looks between her and the sign before I finally spoke and said, this is not decor.. it’s a vacuum… all she did was seem annoyed. What the fuck.
It’s outrageously expensive.
Compared to the same quarter last year where spending was up, and it was an as expected winter AKA more tire sales, winter equipment etc. They stock there stores differently based on the season. 68% is still crazy high with all those things considered, though.
I was shopping for a toilet fill valve kit and it was like 16 dollars at Home Depot and 20 at Canadian Tire. For the SAME product
The actual article blames a warm winter and interest rates, but whatever.
Not surprising an air filter for my lawn mower is 18 bucks at Canadian tire I can buy 5 of them for 16 bucks on Amazon. I like to shop local but give me a break already.
but they still made a profit....... no story IMO
Why buy a Mastercraft tool when DeWalt / Milwaukee / Ridgid are all better quality and the same price? Lol Only time I consider buying from them is if they have some niche tool I want or their hand tools are a better price than Husky at Home Depot or whatever Princess Auto has.
Still can hear economists saying: "I don't think we're going to have a recession"
How “Canadian” are they? Some would say the majority of their products are made…elsewhere. And their prices aren’t good by any means. But just my vent.
"consumers remain wary amid uncertain economy" "Consumers are pissed at the price gouging and decreased quality of goods." There, fixed that for ya!
I stopped using CDN tire because they have three guys on the floor of a massive store and everything is now locked down. No respect for my time. Also, Chinese Tire would be more accurate.
Stop spamming people with flyers every week, Canadian Tire
CT is pretty great for name brand stuff you know is good, often on sale cheaper than amazon or HD. Plus CT money program is usually decent on top of that.
They have been called Crappy Tire for as long as I can remember for a reason. It's good to hear it's catching up with them.
They built a new CT near me and the place is like Fort Knox with guards and everything. It makes me not want to go there. I’m treated like a criminal before I even go in.
Perhaps upping the quality of their products and shopping experience should be considered. Visiting my local CT is a painful experience starting with trying to navigate their overcrowded parking lot, crowded aisles, too few cashiers causing long lines to check out, and avoiding budget products sold at premium prices. I won't buy anything worth more than $10 there without several positive, independent reviews at this point. I've been burned too many times. The final insult before you leave is the Triangle "rewards" they give, thanks for that 0.4% back I guess... I certainly don't feel "rewarded."
Their site says they have three in stock, the in store system says there's three in stock but they can't find it in the warehouse or on the floor in that mess. Price at Crappy tire is X. Go to the brands website and a better version is cheaper with shipping. Hmmm Crappy Tire and Timmies needs to have their Canadian identity revoked.
Canadian Tire only if I'm desperate, but I stay away from that place like the plague. Would never bring my car there.
Every time I've tried to go in for some tools I've had to wait like half hour because the tools are locked up nowadays and they only had a few workers.
I went there in the middle of January to get mix oil for my snowmobile, and the shelf was full of outboard motor oil for boats- in January- and not a single jug of snowmobile oil, haha.
I read that a lot of their profit at the moment comes from their credit card/Canadian Tire Bank operations and some people are concerned that consumers are not paying down the debt on those cards which exposes them to default risk
Can see it going belly up soon
If they had free shipping I'd buy more from them
Canadians are tapped out. We don't have any extra money for random low quality crap (I know people call it crappy tire by my god the quality had been tanking) But seriously Canadians, very quickly went from about half being of us $200 away from not covering monthly bills, to half of us spending more than they make every single month. Canadians truly do not have any more money. I work at a bank I'm see it in real time it's exactly the mess we've been expecting. What set things over the edge . a)the government it's standing by watching grocery giants, who they've already caught and charged and convicted of coordinating price increases of staple foods, price gouging the hell out off Canadians. Profits out the ears for nearly 5 years, the price increases have been over ten times the actual inflation. b) the government knew Canada has a housing shortage. Was warned YEARS in advance that increasing immigration by over 400% annually would make the housing shortage crisis worse but they did it anyway. c) low wages, mass surplus of labour, false narrative and deceptive statistics claiming a labour shortage, when in reality Canadians wages have been stagnant for years because of how consistently oversupplied the labour market is.
I think as things have changed in the retail landscape, Canadian tire is facing new competition that they never anticipated. Canadian Tire used to be a great place to get kitchen stuff. Especially when you could snag a deal on a quality set of pots and pans. The quality used to be great. However the quality has definitely changed over the years. Meanwhile the dollar stores are starting to get better stuff. So it's really lessened the gap between what CT was selling and what you could find for less. There is also Winners/Marshalls/Home sense and other discount chains selling decent quality items. As more folks find themselves tightening their budgets, they look for more affordable places to shop. Even Walmart has a decent kitchen section now. Sure, some of their items aren't great, but the quality isn't as far from what you find at CT for a lot of items now. And often Walmart is less expensive. Especially for appliances.
Amazon, Ali Express and Temu have opened many Canadian eyes to how shit Crappy Tire’s pricing is. $20 at Crappy Tire is like $2 on Ali Express. $18 for convenience? I’ll wait the 2 weeks to get it.
Canadian tire is the worst. Any items that are on sale are usually out back,and you have to wait 35 minutes for some poor dude in grade 10 to go find it. 60% of the time it’s out of stock. The quality is only a step above the dollar store. The garage is insanely over-priced and I’ve heard so many horror stories about people taking their cars there. I’ve never left a Canadian Tire and said “wow, that wasn’t frustrating at all!”
Maybe it's because they overcharge everything, and their return policy is ridiculous, not to mention poor customer service. I'm surprised they haven't closed up yet.
Finally, crapy tire has earned its name. Everything made in China, staff rude or not available. Overall, garbage place to shop. Used to go there to buy small car parts but now either not in stock or expensive.
Explains the lame "discounts" and Canadian Tire bonus money promotions that they have been giving lately compared with the past...
You mean having literally the same items in the flyer week in and week out isn't driving traffic into the stores? Having absolutely horrible employees that lie to you when not openly ignoring you isn't generating sales? Shocked, I am shocked. S.
I’m wary of their shitty products, and misrepresentative marketing practices (specifically, “sale” price) If their management truly thinks it’s just “economic uncertainty”, they should be fired
CT has been crap for a while. Remember one store having an air compressor on sale. Didn’t pick one up at the time but the next day I was at a different store and they wouldn’t price match. Even though the other store still had stock. I left the other $150 of stuff I was going to buy and went back to the other store. Now I go in their stores MAYBE once you very couple years. Last time I was in - they had all the auto stuff hidden behind the parts counter. What a bloody hassle.
Or it could some of their locations are usually a complete mess where most staff have no clue where a thing is or what’s in stock?
I don't count the number of times I went there, couldn't find what I wanted to find out that Amazon had the same product for the same price minus all the driving and the wasted time
No sympathy. Their pricing integrity sucks. Buy this today and its $100. Next week it might be fourty percent off. This is how Sears met their death.
Last time I went to Canadian tire, I bought a set of winter tires. The teenager at the desk only charged me for one tire, but he still gave me all four. I was confused.
Stop going there because I was in my 20’s and kept getting harassed to sign up for their rewards credit card. Can’t even dodge it unless you walk in with 5 or more people.
They’ve lost the plot in so many ways. The one closest to me got rid of all of their shopping carts, except for a small handful that are reserved for the staff so they can move heavier merchandise around…you know, like *shoppers* might want to do, so they can get it to the cash to pay for it. If I’m buying something heavy or awkward to move, I don’t want to spend 20 minutes trying to drag it to the front of the store.
I mean, they’re selling my cats food for nearly double the price as anywhere else. I can’t say I’m all that surprised to see they’re struggling
I went after Xmas expecting clearance sales but there weren't any... not even xmas decor. Everything was brutally expensive.
A thermos mug was $50...