The Canadian Tire employee puffs out his chest, hands firmly planted on his hips, and smugly…read moredeclares, "I've satisfied you". My answer "no sir you have serviced my car, but I am as yet Unsatisfied"
It started when I showed up for my scheduled appointment and provided my name. The customer service agent consulted his screen and couldn't locate my appointment. He asked for my car brand, and I replied, "It's a Honda Civic 2D." He then inquired if I had been at the counter prior to my appointment and moved the Honda's appointment time. Confused, I explained that I had just arrived and hadn't called to change my appointment. Could it be that another Honda for another person had been mistaken for mine?
An hour prior, a woman had arrived and pointed to the Agent's computer screen, declaring, "That's me, I'm here to get my tires changed."
The agent who assisted the unknown woman confirmed that we were clearly two distinct individuals and that it was impossible for us to share the same unusual name. She now has a copy of all my personal data on file at Canadian Tire as well as access to my file going forward.
The next hour and a half were spent trying to regain access to my account. I provided my ID and vehicle registration, and after some back and forth, no headway to block further unauthorized access to my account information, they would also be unable to honor my initial appointment that was booked for " brakes". Since my issue was with the brakes, they insisted I not take my car due to safety concerns. I was sent home without my car, waiting to see what could be arranged.
Later, I received a call. They informed me that the necessary repairs would cost over $1,000. I had to accept verbal price. They had my car keys, so even towing it to another shop was not an option. I felt strong-armed into accepting the repairs, however challenging their statements about car possession, which led to some backpedaling on their part. I asked about the individual charges and why the cost was so high but received very little explanation. They reiterated that it wasn't safe and that all these repairs were required for me to "get" my car back. When I questioned why issues like wiper blade efficiency impeded my ability to drive or allowed me to replace parts myself, they backpedaled again.
Only after I accepted the repairs was I sent the quote, which differed from their initial explanations, as even the customer service agent thought that a main brake light was out and would require removal of the bumper, it was actually the central window light that is easily accessed and not required by local QC law.
I received a call nine hours later, informing me that my car was ready. I went to the front desk and spoke with the shop director, who identified himself as such. I brought up the earlier incident with the mistaken identity, but he claimed it never happens and that it did not concern him since he was not at the counter when this supposedly occurred. He also stated that there were no notes on file, even though I had seen the agent write down details such as "check tire tread" in my file. All notes were gone from my file, that is when the agent at the counter said the most cringe-worthy comment "I've satisfied you". My answer "no sir you have serviced my car, but I am as yet Unsatisfied", I had to struggle to maintain my composure and not laugh at the situation. For once, a perfectly timed clapback comment.
The work had been completed , but it seemed unlikely that it had been test-driven as the Honda was parked in the exact same spot, with the seat unmoved. A loud honking sound from the wheels was immediately apparent. I didn't leave the parking lot and flagged down a mechanic, who, judging by his overalls and name tag, seemed to be the right person. He advised me to let the counter know, as he had heard the racket.
Back at the counter, less than five minutes after getting my keys, they agreed to check the car--of course, at an additional charge. They insisted it was impossible for the noise to be from the brakes.
FYI: New brakes can sometimes make noise (a goose-like honk). I wished someone had told me that earlier.
Attached: Were the repaires even required? The clean inspection report was hidden on page 7-8, pictures attached.
P.s. I wrote this in review in English, even though this happened in Qc. French, because I am petty and "m@nge de la M@rde, b0ss des béc0sses"