Canadian Tire

I just had the WORST experience at Canadian Tire. Does anyone else find that stores are HORRIBLY set up for moms with strollers? This was awful. I'm still fuming from it. I sent them the following letter:

I have just returned from the Calgary North location of Canadian Tire. I went there to return a can of paint that my husband had purchased. After waiting in line for 30 minutes, I was told that I couldn't return the item for cash unless I had the same debit card that was used to purchase the paint. My husband purchased it and of course I don't have his card. If you've established that the item does in fact come from the store and does warrant a return, why should it matter how the funds are returned to the customer? If this is a Canadian Tire policy, why does it not say so on your return policy on the back of your receipts?

Instead of making it a wasted trip, I said I would just get a gift card. No, apparently Canadian Tire does not do this either. Why is it that you are making things so difficult for your customers? I was told I could get a store credit but it must be spent that very same visit. So I said I would and tried to maneuver my stroller with my baby around the store. Well, that proved to be quite difficult. Why is it that your store is not accessible to everyone? I know how difficult it was for me, an able bodied person to maneuver a small stroller around your store, I can only imagine how difficult it must be for someone who is handicapped. We could not even get through the carousel at the front. The more accessible entry to the store was blocked by your extremely long lineup to return items. Once I eventually got into the store, it was hard to get around as there were boxes blocking access to aisles. Once I was finally able to pick out my items, I gathered my purchases and returned to the Returns to check out my items...but of course had problems trying to get the stroller through to the returns section. My purchases were rung through and as luck would have it, I was $4 short. I was told that there was no way possible I could have the $4 back and that I would have to find items to spend. At this point, I have been in the store for 50 minutes, all while trying to get through your poorly set up store with a baby who is beginning to get fussy. I am so frustrated at this point and can't imagine trying to get through the store to find $4 worth of merchandise to buy. The clerk (who is actually quite helpful and apologetic) calls the manager on duty to see if I can just get the cash back. And the answer is absolutely not.

As a loyal customer to Canadian Tire, I find this appalling that you treat your customers this way. I left in tears from such a frustrating experience. I have always given my business to Canadian Tire first, wanting to keep my business in Canada. However, I will not be shopping at Canadian Tire again as I see how they value their customers.

End of letter.

Now, I'm a frequent "boycotter". If a store annoys me or pisses me off, I will frequently boycott them...only to return the next time I really need something. Or am in the area. HA! Not that strong willed I guess. Anyways, this time, I'm done. If they don't respond to my email, I'm NEVER setting foot in that store. You heard it here first! And mostly the reason I posted it was so I would follow through. GGGGRRRRRR...