I have given myself 3 days to wind down from a disappointing experience at the Canadian Tire Auto Repair, and still feel this review is warranted after this time, so have decided to post.
I booked my car in to have new summer tires and rims fitted. I was given a quote which I felt was reasonable, and booked my car in. About an hour later, I received a call to discuss adding tire pressure sensors, which were installed on my winter tires and a function of my car. I was advised by phone that a set of 4 would cost me a total of $52, and I agreed to add them to the quote.
I arrived on the day and found that I had been misquoted, it was $52 per sensor, not per set. The person I had spoken to over the phone was there and apologetic, saying he had misunderstood and misquoted. No problem - he was a new staff member who made a mistake, I totally understand it happens. I discussed with another staff member whether I would need these sensors for the $208 it would cost - the only issue if I didn't have them would be I would have a warning light on my dash saying low tire pressure. I was 50/50 whether to take them or not, but decided to go ahead with this purchase.
When I returned to pick up my car, I had been overcharged $76 (after taxes). I reviewed the quote and the invoice, and found a more expensive set of sensors had been installed - despite no contact with me or authorization by me for this to happen - and I was expected to pay the extra charge. Canadian tire had my contact number, they just made no effort to contact me. I was informed that the sensors I had been quoted for were not compatible with my vehicle (which is a VERY common vehicle in the Bow Valley area), so they had installed a more expensive set of sensors. Having already questioned whether I needed these for the initially quoted cost, I asked why I had not been contacted before a more expensive product had been installed in my car. I was simply told 'The motoring authority allow us to charge up to $100 more than quoted'. Simple as that. I suggested we work something out, as I had not agreed to the extra cost. I was told 'If you don't want them, we will take them back out - but you will have to wait around for the work to be done. It will be about 45 minutes'. I explained I had plans that afternoon and did not have time to wait this long. The technician simply shrugged as if to say 'Not my problem'. Not wanting to cancel my plans for that afternoon, I was left with no option but to pay the extra cost. Had I been contacted and the options available discussed BEFORE they were installed, I may not have chosen to install these sensors, an extra $76 after taxes - costing nearly $300 in total when I walked in having been quoted $52 by phone.
I was left angry and let down by my experience with Canadian Tire - not so much at the extra charges I had to pay, but by the uncaring attitude of the staff member I dealt with, and the lack of integrity shown with regards to their customer service. I would have been happy if we could 'meet in the middle somewhere', which I had suggested, but they were totally uninterested in a mutually beneficial resolution. I left having paid the full price on the invoice, but needless to say, I will not be returning, preferring to take my business somewhere else where more integrity will be shown with what they do. I have heard similar reviews regarding the Canadian Tire in Canmore - I would suggest others take their business elsewhere too.