I had a bad experience at your Winnipeg Polo Park Store.
On Saturday July 30, 2011, I checked your website to see if the store had 2 tennis racquets in stock. It did, so I went to buy them.
After going through the sporting goods section twice, I asked a rep and she told me the store is undergoing renovations so some things are stored in the back. A sign saying this would have been nice.
Anyway, I asked her to get them for me. She said I dont know where they would be, do you have a product number? I said, no I dont have a product number but I know the brand and price. She said, things are so hard to find back there I probably wouldnt be able to find them. I asked, Could you try? She said, Well, Im very busy right now (she was stocking a shelf), and ... I said Forget it.
I proceeded to leave the store. On the way out I stopped by the customer service desk and asked the clerk for a customer service complaint card, but was told they didnt have any. I asked for the business card of the store manager and again was told there was none. I asked for the store managers name, she didnt know. I asked to see the store manager, the clerk called and asked someone to come to the front. After waiting a full 10 minutes, I left.
I am very disappointed. As a customer I did my part. I spent time checking your website, brought money with me to buy your product, spent gas money, more time searching in a store that was disorganized, then practically had to beg a customer service rep to sell me something. I received no help in the store from the store manager.
I won`t rant to you that I`ll never shop Canadian Tire again, Ive shopped there for 40 years. I`ll probably go back to Canadian Tire for some things, but if I can get the product at a store that I perceive has better customer service (the standard is low), I will go there. I already go to Home Depot or Rona for hardware, they have very knowledgeable sales reps.
I can`t imagine that at a time when Walmart dominates, and Target is set to enter the Canadian market, that Canadian Tire would have such lackadaisical standards. But what do I know? I am just one customer. You probably dont need my money.
But when Im talking to my coworkers, my family, my friends, on facebook, or in chat room forums, Ill relay this story, maybe a couple hundred times. And some of them will relay the story to others, and so on and so on.
Im also willing to bet that employees like this practice this attitude with other customers also. Good luck Canadian Tire, you need it!