Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance 50% off, Free Oil Change by Purchasing Kit

engineered wrote: ↑ Sorry bad deal. I would pay to NOT have my oil changed at CT.

engineered wrote: ↑ Sorry bad deal. I would pay to NOT have my oil changed at CT.

kanechart wrote: ↑ Without more details your point is invalid and useless here.

Schen28 wrote: ↑ It is n unwritten rule to never bring your car in to CT. Horrible experiences are all over the internet. Issues vary between scams to improperly done work. Many agree that technicians at CT do not have enough experience and have a lack of attentiveness to the work that needs to be done.

Schen28 wrote: ↑ It is n unwritten rule to never bring your car in to CT. Horrible experiences are all over the internet.

engineered wrote: ↑ Sorry bad deal. I would pay to NOT have my oil changed at CT.

Schen28 wrote: ↑ It is n unwritten rule to never bring your car in to CT. Horrible experiences are all over the internet. Issues vary between scams to improperly done work. Many agree that technicians at CT do not have enough experience and have a lack of attentiveness to the work that needs to be done.

kanechart wrote: ↑ Without more details your point is invalid and useless here.

ES_Revenge wrote: ↑ Agreed. The chances of them doing any of the following are high:
-Wrong oil--just putting any bulk oil they have on hand in there (this is the least of what they can do)
-Underfill or overfill oil
-Overtighten drain plug or filter
-Crossthread drain plug
-Accidentally break something on your car and not tell you about it
-Accidentally break something and then tell you it was like that, needs fixing and will cost $xx
-Intentionally break something and then tell you it needs fixing, and wiill cost you $xxx
-Recommend you change all kinds of crap from brakes that are "at 5%" to tyres that "need changing" or a "weak battery" that needs replacement or whatever other nonsense they can think of

Thanks but no thanks. I don't really trust anyone to touch my car (which is why I don't let anyone apart recall, warranty, or something I don't have some specialised equipment for) but CT is very high on the list of top places I would never trust with it.

All kinds of horror stories I can tell you from when I was a kid; all kinds of stories you can read on RFD; but, I can give you a more recent one from a buddy of mine that drives Uber...

So apparently to drive Uber you need to have some annual inspection done on your car--this is actually a pretty good idea I think. However of the places that you can have this done, as my friend explained at least, CT is where you must have it done. I guess like those importation inspections, CT has somehow weaseled/slimed their way into getting such a contract. Anyway my buddy take his car for the inspection and everything checks out, except one light bulb that is out. They tell him he needs to change the bulb ($5.xx) at a cost of like $40--yes $5 and the rest in the 5mins of labour to change this bulb Now I'm unsure of the rules of Uber inspections but as my friend explained it you either have them fix it or fail, have to fix it yourself and then come back and pay the fee all over again. I asked him if it wasn't like gov't-mandated inspections where you can fix the problem, come back, and not have to pay again but he said no you have to pay all over again. So he paid them the gouged priced for a $5 bulb.

Same guy, couple months later, goes back to CT...for new winter tyres. Now honestly I asked him, "why the hell did you go back there?" and the answer was that all the local tyre shops he tried were sold out as well as Costco, on the size/model he needed. He said it would take some time to order and he didn't want to wait as CT had stock. Fair enough. CT did the tyres for him but they also told him his rear brakes were "paper thin" (there's no real mechanic I've ever met that would use a term like that mind you) and needed to be replaced "right away" At least this time my friend was smart enough to politely decline and just leave with his tyres; brakes perfectly fine, no doubt.

Anyway, the roadside may still be worth it, along with the kit; but the oil change is just a profit centre for them to upsell you. And an opportunity for them to wreck up your car. Don't do it.

vonblock wrote: ↑ Horrible experience over the internet.

Hum I wonder if it's because Canadian tire is the biggest mechanic provider in Canada.

When you have 10000 more clients than any regular mechanic, it's normal to have 10000 time more reported problems, simple statistics.

Don't get me started about shady mechanics tactics to rip off people. I personally use an independent mechanic, but I think CT bashing is just based on biased comprehension of how probability work.

Schen28 wrote: ↑ You can attribute the abundancy of complaints to the large amount of work Canadian Tire does. But one can not deny the lack of experience among CT technicians. It is well established knowledge that CT recruits students and fresh graduates to work with them. I can't say that a lack experience will invariably lead to poorer job repairs but it does place one at higher risk to make avoidable mistakes - even with simple procedures such as an oil change.

May I ask what is enticing about bringing your car to CT? Beside the abundancy of garages and the ease of access to a CT, what other factors make CT a good option? Is it price, quality of work, efficiency, customer service? I can't possibly think of a good reason to choose CT over an independent mechanic that has a track record of good reviews. I am not bashing CT for no reason but there is evidence to show CT consistently charges a higher price, has poor customer service and works at an inefficient rate. And all this evidence is not related to the probability you try to speak of. Walk into any CT in the GTA and you'll find yourself waiting 3 hours for a $40 oil change. Find yourself an independent mechanic and get your oil change done at a much lower cost within an hour of waiting.

vonblock wrote: ↑ Well it was free and it was too cold outside to change the oil myself.

I don't live in GTA. Canada is big.

It took me about 25 minutes to get an oil change including any wait time and I talked with the mechanic during that time. The guy looked like he was about 50 years old. There were young staff in the garage, but they were washing a car (not sure if they were mechanic at all).

I was incredibly impressed with the customer service. I will still go to my local mechanic for any serious work, just because I want to encourage local guys, but still, that free oil change was quite enjoyable.