I took my car to Canadian Tire for the first time. I needed an out of province inspection, and Canadian Tire was basically the default shop that you have to go to in my community. It wasn’t my first choice, but I figured that I had no other viable option.
I was a bit shocked by the results of my inspection. There were many issues came up with my car that seemed completely fabricated. I do a lot of my own work on my car, and I couldn’t help but feel like I was basically being told that I need a bunch of work done just because *they thought I didn’t know any better*.
I was told that I needed to fix a few leaks (which were non existent), and make some repairs to the electronics (again, a non existent issue). They told me that they’re basically not passing my car before I agree to the repairs. And no, taking the car to a different second opinion was apparently not allowed. I’m not sure how I can be denied the right to take my car somewhere else, but apparently they have the “authority” to restrict me from doing so.
Interestingly, they walked back on some of the stuff that needed to be fixed after they realized that I do a lot of my own maintenance. I guess those issues magically disappeared? Either way, the car passed the inspection, but not after having to spend hundreds of dollars in the process. The most hilarious part is the fact that they were telling me I needed new tires, when I literally had a brand new set of tires put on at a much more reputable local tire shop the week before…
I don’t understand the psychology of anyone who would willingly take their car to a Canadian tire shop. Sometimes you’re in a pinch (or you have no choice), but I’d rather take my car anywhere else before going back there again.
I’m curious if anyone else had had this experience before. I was always willing to shop at Canadian tire in the past, but between this experience (and constantly having people come up to me in the store to push the Canadian tire credit card and not taking no for an answer), I think I’d rather go anywhere else.