Be Aware of Canadian Tire Gift Cards

[T&T]

I bought an item & paid by using CT gift cards (2 years expiration to use). Several days later, returned the un-opened item with receipt. I was expected to get the money back in the gift cards since it was paid by gift card originally. However, I got the store credit note with below restrictions. The store manager said that this is the policy in treating gift cards.

Restrictions:
1. The store credit only valid within 90 days.
2. Must redeem in FULL at the time of use.
3. Valid only at the store where I got the credit note.


I feel this policy is unfair to every consumers who paid by gift card but only get store credit note for un-opened item returned with receipt. I paid cash to buy its gift cards with 2 years to use it at every Canadian Tire Stores. Now, I only have 90 days to use it all at a time at particular store. So be aware of when you use CT gift cards.

[Buford T Jenkins]

If so, HOT!!!

[TO_SH]

Go to the cashier and buy a gift card with your store credit.

This is NOT a Hot Deal

[lapopal]

I have never had that happen to me and you were not given the same type of payment used. You used gift cards with a receipt you should not have accepted it.

[Izzoshady]

Thanks for the notification.

Canadian Tire has been generally abusive when it comes to their return policies over the years.

I hate that they ask for your personal information when you return something

[Shaner]

You should not have accepted the credit note. You should have demanded they give you the refund in GC's.

Why don't you just buy a GC with the credit note you have?

[michael1996]

CT is good. last time when I returned something bought by gift card, they credit all the money to my cc. Also once they gave me store credit for something I returned after thirty days, I can use the store credit many times. It is ok for me to leave personal information to them as long as I didn't did something bad. :D

[T&T]

I will try to by gift card with the credit note. Thanks.

[convoluted]

I find that CT has generallly been very good with returns, giving me cash back instead of on a card even... They don't mind also putting on another gc, which is great because it also resets the date they expire that way.

[rabblerouser]

Last time i returned something bought with a gift card, i got the money put on my credit card. But I also knew the girl who did the refund

[homercartman]

BLAZINGLY HOT DEAL. Discussions forum please people!!! :mad:

[weebg]

I've mentioned in another thread (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4249844#post4249844) that the best way to guarantee that you get your GC purchase back in cash/cc is to pay for part of the purchase with cash/cc.

The CTs that I've returned items for store credit say that the credit is good for a year. My recommendation is to buy a gc with it. Best time to do that is in the evenings or weekends when they have students working.

[Rooster]

Has anyone report the post to mod?

[majesus]

Understandable. But I so far (knock on wood) haven't had problem when I return an item.

Sometimes CT gives me a hard time not with refunds but with PM. So I do have sympathy for you. As TO_SH said, go get some GCs. Hehe


I've been reading on the HW GC thread that some people were saying that they buy things with GC at CT and then when they return it, they get cash.
I HOPE THEY ARE NOT TRYING TO EXPLOIT THIS. No good can come for all of us. It will make it more difficult to return products for legitimate reasons. Which is the whole point of a return policy.

One other comment I have: This topic is in the wrong forum. This isn't a hot deal thread. But I still thank you for posting what happened to you. Helpful to know and watch out for. Cheers :)

[Mighty Mouse]

The problem with canadiantire is that their store policy can vary from store to store.

Forexample, some store differ in what type of paymnet they will accept when paying off your canadian tire options card bill etc.

As what what was told to me by a cashier that each store has the ability to set their own rules to such issues as their are not controlled by CT corp.

[tonyford]

man, i hope i can pick up one....do they PM?

[radio_head]

When I buy over $100, I add up the value of the goods then I buy a gift certificate (GC) for the value of the goods to the nearest $5. I make-up the difference in cash. (i.e. $117 good = buy $115 GC + $2 cash)

This way, I buy the GC with a credit card (CC), but when I use the GC I get Canadian Tire (CT) money. The person manning the cash usually get annoyed but hey it's CT money in my pocket and more points on my CC.

[Jay-c]

Although not the best place for it, my local CT has this policy clearly marked on the wall behind the returns desk. Their credit note policy is that 75% must be used at once at that location, or 100% at the other location in town.

But I've been able to buy a GC with it in the past, no questions.

The other location in town always puts it back on GC.. so I usually just return stuff there instead

[UrbanPoet]

what are you talking about?
I returned a lawn mower i bought with GCs... And they said "No no... No GC refund!"
then i said "commmonnnn..."
They procceeded to give me twice the amount back in GCs including a free lawn mower.

[majesus]

The problem with canadiantire is that their store policy can vary from store to store.

Forexample, some store differ in what type of paymnet they will accept when paying off your canadian tire options card bill etc.

As what what was told to me by a cashier that each store has the ability to set their own rules to such issues as their are not controlled by CT corp.

SDM is like that too. Some will let me buy my Vancouver Transit bus pass with my CC, others will not. Some SDM will also add on the SDM points ontop of it. Someother won't.

Since I'm a member of RFD, obviously you know which SDM I always go to. :)

[majesus]

what are you talking about?
I returned a lawn mower i bought with GCs... And they said "No no... No GC refund!"
then i said "commmonnnn..."
They procceeded to give me twice the amount back in GCs including a free lawn mower.

I wonder about that... why would CT give you a hard time if you buy smething with GCs? Regardless of the method of payment, the purchased product is still the same. They should still honor their refund policy. IF they don't want to give you cash. Fine, then give you the credit back on a GC. Just as it was before you made the purchase.

[t3359]

They've always given me back money on a gift card.

You can always return CT merch at another location. Maybe that "policy" is just local to that store.

bjl

[auto-m8]

Don't put up with any store's " unfair" policies.

Simply call CT online customer service and tell them that you feel you were unfairly treated in store and have always been a loyal customer . Mention the name of the clerk or manager that was involved. Ask for there help and complain about the significant waste of your own personal time,etc

CT customer service (online not the store) is really co-operative and sometimes very generous !!!

[Bullseye]

They usually don't give cash back for GC's, it's a form abuse prevention. Like one person stated, some of those who get CT GC's for 20% off would just do this to make a 20% profit on them, which is essentially theft. Impossible to see it any other way.

Similar issue for people who use reward points to get GC's, stores can't have them cashing these for actual money.

So blame the abusers for your problem. Even though it's logical that a GC you bought with cash should be returnable for cash, others have ruined this for you.

[Bullseye]

When I buy over $100, I add up the value of the goods then I buy a gift certificate (GC) for the value of the goods to the nearest $5. I make-up the difference in cash. (i.e. $117 good = buy $115 GC + $2 cash)

This way, I buy the GC with a credit card (CC), but when I use the GC I get Canadian Tire (CT) money. The person manning the cash usually get annoyed but hey it's CT money in my pocket and more points on my CC.

You don't actually get any more CC points, they benefit is just the CT money. You would have got the points anyways.

Smart idea, surprised CT hasn't caught on and closed that loophole, though.

[that_staples_guy]

The problem with canadiantire is that their store policy can vary from store to store.

Forexample, some store differ in what type of paymnet they will accept when paying off your canadian tire options card bill etc.

As what what was told to me by a cashier that each store has the ability to set their own rules to such issues as their are not controlled by CT corp.

:arrowu:

I was talking to buddy from Cdn Tire h/o, he said that all stores MUST adhere to corporate policy which is set out, they aren't allowed to make stupid in-store policies. For example, from my highschool years, the closest one to my house wouldn't let you in if they thought you were a highschool student.

[dealguy2]

Yep it's best to return stuff on Sunday nights when management is gone and it's just idiotic students working.

[st7860]

You don't actually get any more CC points, they benefit is just the CT money. You would have got the points anyways.

Smart idea, surprised CT hasn't caught on and closed that loophole, though.

maybe CT has poor internal controls and/or the grunts that get paid $10 an hour at the store don't care about customers 'cheating'.

maybe there's a chance that the people that make the decisions just dont know whats happening.

[Bullseye]

maybe CT has poor internal controls and/or the grunts that get paid $10 an hour at the store don't care about customers 'cheating'.

maybe there's a chance that the people that make the decisions just dont know whats happening.

They probably realize it, and could close it by not allowing people to buy GC's with credit cards, but the benefits of allowing that likely outweigh the small cost (that being giving out CT money)

[st7860]

They probably realize it, and could close it by not allowing people to buy GC's with credit cards, but the benefits of allowing that likely outweigh the small cost (that being giving out CT money)

i guess so. and besides, CT money isnt really 'free' anyway. its just like them giving out coupons. because either the customer has to throw away the money or SPEND it on more 'overpriced' CT stuff. lol.

[consumerPI]

It's not about you doing something bad. It's about trusting companies with your personal information and how they go about securing your information. Many companies in the past have had issues with peoples information being lost, stolen, and/or left on old hard drives on computers, etc. CIBC, BMO to name a few.

Identity theft is the risk. It's small, but it exists.

Let's put it this way, anyone collecting your information when returing something can only hurt you, not benefit you. What possible good can come from you giving them your personal info? Telemarketing offers?


".....It is ok for me to leave personal information to them as long as I didn't did something bad." :D

[consumerPI]

No, idiot managers work on Sundays too.


Yep it's best to return stuff on Sunday nights when management is gone and it's just idiotic students working.

[consumerPI]

Don't think that they will let you buy a GC with a credit note.


Go to the cashier and buy a gift card with your store credit.

This is NOT a Hot Deal