Canadian Tire — Local services in Charlottetown

Recently the planer for my woodworking business was starting to have issues, so I decided to start shopping around for a new one. The DeWalt 735 was on my short list. I saw that CT had it on sale, but there were only two left. I didn't have time to buy it right away that day so my plan was to sit down at my computer that evening to buy online then pick up in store the next day.

I tried getting onto the website that evening around 7pm but nothing would load. I tried my laptop, my wife's laptop, my phone, my desktop, and both Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge, yet it just wouldn't load. Presumably the website was just down.

I proceeded to contact the store at about 830pm knowing I wouldn't make it there before they closed at 9. I explained that I was concerned I'd miss out on the planer since there were only 2 left, and that I just couldn't buy online since the website was down.

The first person working at customer service curtly said "I'll transfer you to hardware" after hearing my story. No niceties at all.

Next the man in the hardware department upon hearing the same story simply said "no we don't do that" and tried to rush me off the phone. I reiterated I wasn't asking for anything special, I simply couldn't buy it online since the website was down. Surely an exception could be made in lieu of that issue. Again he rudely said no, and tried to rush me off the phone.

I asked if there was someone in management that I could talk to, who might have the power to make such an exception. He begrudgingly transferred the call. I was on a brief hold but got bounced back to him, I stated who I was and that the transfer didn't go through. He said "he would only try to transfer me once more" or I was SOL I guess...

Next I was bounced back to the very rude customer service worker, to which I once again had to explain my call. "ok hold" in a curt response and finally I had some sort of person in Management.

Julie was this person's name, and once again I relayed my story. She first off accusingly asked my "how I knew there were only two left" if the website wouldn't load. I explained how I saw it on the website while I was scouting the planer out (at various retailers) online earlier that day. She made no mention of having a policy against holding an item, but unpleasantly replied " fine I'll have to see if we have it". After a several minute wait on hold she came back, same unpleasant disposition, and stated "we have it but you better be here at 9am or it's going back on the floor". Taken aback a bit I said "it wasn't necessary to talk to me so rudely, I wasn't asking for anything extravagant, it wasn't my fault the website was down, and had it not been, I wouldn't be calling and would have already paid for the planer"

Her reply was, "it's not my fault the website is down, name for the hold". I said I understood it wasn't her fault and was in no way blaming her, but nothing justified the attitude she was giving me. I had been completely cordial to her throughout the whole call, when she had been downright rude from the start. "fine , I didn't think I was being rude, I need your name for the hold"

At that point I had enough, I wasn't giving this lady my name and I was pretty sure I didn't want to give Canadian Tire the nearly $700 before tax for the planer.

My very next call was to the corporate office to lodge a complaint. The gentleman on the phone was very understanding, and made me feel very validated. He also mentioned it really wasn't even a policy to not hold something, and especially given the circumstance. There was no reason not to place the item on what would be a 12-14 hour hold, most of which the store would be closed for anyhow.

I spoke to 3 employees at the Charlottetown Canadian Tire, all three of which had zero phone manners, no " hello how are you", no understanding, and no patience to help fix a customer issue.

I finally did get the planer after all that (the website finally started working at around midnight), but I highly recommend shopping elsewhere. I wish there was a zero...

I never leave reviews, but I feel I had to on this one particular visit. I was very disappointed. I saw a grill on sale on the Canadian Tire website that was perfect for my husband for Christmas. It said there were 3 in stock at the store. I went to the store and didn't see it on the shelf or on the middle aisle displays, so I ask an employee. They try to find it on the shelves but weren't able to. Then, he goes and checks in the back. He comes back maybe 5-10 mins later and let's me know they're bringing them out from the back. I say thank you then wait 20 mins. Then I ask another employee about the grill cause I had been waiting awhile. The new employee and the original one (who showed up about the same time, soaked from being outside) kinda talked to me but more so with each other and say they thought they found it but they think it's a different one. The new employee suggests to the the original employee to have so and so assist them in finding it. So, I wait another 45 mins until the original employee returns. At first, he was walking towards me then stops to talk with another employee for 5 mins. Then he eventually makes his way towards me and kinda looks at me like he wasn't sure it was me he was helping (honestly like he just took a lunch break and was coming back, but I'm only guessing) and I ask him were you able to find the grill? He said no. I asked if the website is not accurate then with having 3 in stock. He said someone moved it without putting in where they moved it cause they pretty much don't know how to do their job. I thought to myself, sounds like a common problem around there. But at that point I was very frustrated cause amongst the 10 or so employees I saw walking around, no one could help this guy or even asked if I was being helped. They seemed more concerned with talking with eachother or restocking shelves than helping customers out. Another lady was waiting awhile for an employee to ask for assistance in getting something off a higher shelf while I was waiting. I waited probably way too long to be told no, I can't find it. Giving this guy the benefit of the doubt that he'd find it in the back cause the website said that they were in stock. I mean, it's December and a grill. It's not like it's the middle of July. Anyway, the guy gave me a raincheck slip and I had to ask how it works cause clearly customer service is not a priority in this store. He said I would have to call the store and ask about the grill. Then, I asked if I did the order online and pickup in store would that be any different? He said no, probably not cause the order would get sent to one of them on the floor and then they would have to go look for it. Sorry bud if I'm actually having to make you work, geez. Seems so much trouble for a grill. I left this store feeling so frustrated and it just left a bad taste in my mouth. I should've just left maybe 15 mins in, but I wanted to shop somewhat local and save myself the waiting on shipping. Trusty ole Amazon won again. Sure I spent a little more and I have to wait a few days for shipping, but I probably got a better grill anyway and way less of a headache/faith in humanity. Canadian Tire train your employees to provide good customer service and to remember that the customers give them a job. Or maybe...

I was just in the store about and hour ago and the first thing that happened was an employee yelled for my attention and demand I hand over my backpack. They told me that it was store policy and always had been. I told them I had been in regularly with my backpack and never had an issue.

They call over an assistant manager who then tells me that the policy is new this month. I had been in the store several time this month with my backpack with no issue.

I handed my bag over they did not ask my name or give me a tag to keep track of it. I went about my shopping but did not feel right and noticed several large purses and bags with other shoppers.

I decided that it was not in my best interest to buy from them. As I went to customer service I was ignored until I climbed the fence to join the customer service line when a different Assistant manager asked if i was after my bag and returned it.

I was left feeling singled out and accused of the intent to steal from the store. This is beyond bad customer service. I encourage you to shop else where if you can.

Update one:

Today I called and talked to a manager about the incident. Overall I am not impressed with how this is being handled. Point blank fact is the indecent made me feel harassed, singled out, and very uncomfortable. the manager dismissed these and was claiming that is not what they saw on the security tapes.

I brought up the fact that no effort was put into safely storing my bag. while the did acknowledge that this could be better done it dose not change the fact it is not common practice.

I made a point that the store is very bad at inventory management and often I come in to find that there is none of an item their website says have several and that every time i have tried online ordering my order gets cancelled due to lack of inventory.

At this point the manager who was obviously not really listening asked if they were due to Bank issues or inventory trying to lead it to banking that would be my issue not theirs.

They told me they will call tomorrow after they have talked to the employees involved. At this point I do not see any improvement happening. All I really want is an apology in writing not a big ask yet they are unwilling to do something so simple.

I will continue to update this review as they continue to demonstrate their customer service at its finest. they have one star from me because 0 and negative are not options.

Rude Staff and Management, bad inventory control,...