Author Topic: Non Vw: Canadian Tire (Read 2971 times)

AlanU · « **on:** December 23, 2007, 10:25:20 PM »

Interesting story hope I dont bore.

Well my wifes friends 99 Pontiac grand am had a fuel pump die on her on top of cypress mountain. Since my shop is not taking anymore work till the new year I told her to get it towed to a shop in North VAN instead of Burnaby.

Book time is 2hrs to drop the tank for fuel pump R&R (no brainer). She was quoted $1400 dollars (NOT including tax) LOL!!!! for

1)fuel pump $580
2)labour of 3hrs $270
3)undiscosed break down but manditory fuel system clean or no warranty of fuel pump

So I get this panic/upset phone call for advice. I call on behalf of her and politely (hard to believe isn't it) ask what the breakdown was. I get a confident smooth service supervisor on the phone. I asked how the industry labour guide both in Mitchell and alldata states a 2hr book time and questioned how she's quoted 3hrs. He says \"my mechanic has to drop the exhuast etc etc\" I kindly informed him that I've done a good 20+ just this year and that is not required and my friend should not pay for inefficient, incompitent mechanics capabilities and pass a bill to the customer. I started to sense artistic story making. Quoting straight out 1hr EXTRA before even touching the car is an unethical means of making money. IF murphy's law had snapping siezed bolts and other unforseen problems that is a different story.

I also asked how it is manditory for a motor vac fuel system clean or the Carter fuel pump is not warrantied. Change of new filter is understandable but fuel system clean?

? I was told there was a misunderstanding and that was not the case. ODD HOW MY FRIEND was specifically told there was NO warranty unless it was done. I was given a story that carter gives no warranties because of no fuel system clean...I've never ever heard such a BS story ever!!!!

interesting how a 1400 dollar job suddenly became $858 (including tax)

I did however request 1/2 hrs labor charge for fuel filter R&R and new crappy tire fuel filter. I haven't been so disgusted with a company in so many years. The fuel pump was overpriced and I was given an outrageous price on the list retail price. Funny how that is suppose to make a ripoff price sound reasonable.

Had to inform people of this unethical company. This is simply a crime especially because this guy was taking advantage of a woman with NO automotive knowledge. I certainly made it clear that I saw right through him. I think I'll tell her to contact the BBB and BCAA for any insight on this potential monetary rape.

Just think of all these people getting scammed with smooth talking service writers.

el_flechador · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2007, 11:31:56 PM »

Good job Alan...say it how it is

el_flechador · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2007, 11:32:34 PM »

Good job Alan...say it how it is

Matt · « **Reply #3 on:** December 24, 2007, 07:51:41 AM »

I have never heard of a positive repair story coming from a Canadian Tire customer.

James Buchan · « **Reply #4 on:** December 24, 2007, 08:46:50 AM »

Me either actually, from stripped studs on tire changes to overpriced garbage parts....

OUTKAST · « **Reply #5 on:** December 24, 2007, 09:25:06 AM »

When I was young and dumb improper torque on beetle lost rear wheel and brake components on the road 15 min after leaving

Never again Way to go Alan

bwaz · « **Reply #6 on:** December 24, 2007, 10:15:32 AM »

I've got family who works there, in the general store stuff... and it's 99% kids who work there for minimum wage and don't know much about the stuff they sell. Fine for someone who knows what they're looking for, but asking a fifteen year old about wiring a garage isn't a good idea.... a lot of on the job training. I always stick with my local VW shop (whenever possible) as they know what they're doing and deserve your business! (and I don't mean the dealership)

Trevor P · « **Reply #7 on:** December 24, 2007, 10:25:16 AM »

I always laugh when people take their VW's to Canuck tire for repairs, only to end up at our shop to get diagnosed and repaired properly. Sometimes it's people being typical cheap VW owners other times it's just lack of knowledge and the ability to get a quick appointment. It's never good to hear about the rip off stories though like the one alan mentions.
I wish they would stick to selling Fast and the Furious bolt on garbage and leave the automotive repairs to people who actually know what there doing.

silas · « **Reply #8 on:** December 24, 2007, 12:07:28 PM »

i've said it here before & i'll say it again.....i would never take a vehicle or recommend that someone take their vehicle to crappy tire for any sort of service or repair.

that store is only good for their cheap, semi-disposable life-time wauranteed tools (which i have alot of

), cheap camping equipment, cheap xmas ornaments, and cheap $ sign spinner hub caps.

good post alan. glad to hear that you called them on their bullshittery and got it sorted out. i can only imagine how many other non-car people (female or other) that have been taken hard by their over-priced, under performed vehicle repairs.

neil68 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 24, 2007, 03:07:42 PM »

Quote

I always laugh when people take their VW's to Canuck tire for repairs, only to end up at our shop to get diagnosed and repaired properly. Sometimes it's people being typical cheap VW owners other times it's just lack of knowledge and the ability to get a quick appointment. It's never good to hear about the rip off stories though like the one alan mentions.
I wish they would stick to selling Fast and the Furious bolt on garbage and leave the automotive repairs to people who actually know what there doing.

Hey Trevor,

I've been going to the same German VW mechanic in Calgary since 1978. He used to get tons of business from Canadian Tire...where their mechanic couldn't finish the VW work.

However, he has had to quit taking on their messes, since he found he couldn't always undo the damage that crappy tire had already done!

Trevor P · « **Reply #10 on:** December 24, 2007, 03:25:35 PM »

Quote

Quote
I always laugh when people take their VW's to Canuck tire for repairs, only to end up at our shop to get diagnosed and repaired properly. Sometimes it's people being typical cheap VW owners other times it's just lack of knowledge and the ability to get a quick appointment. It's never good to hear about the rip off stories though like the one alan mentions.
I wish they would stick to selling Fast and the Furious bolt on garbage and leave the automotive repairs to people who actually know what there doing.

However, he has had to quit taking on their messes, since he found he couldn't always undo the damage that crappy tire had already done!

I don't blame him...I've seen some pretty hack work come outta those shops.

G-dog · « **Reply #11 on:** December 24, 2007, 05:25:42 PM »

I used to manage a Canadian Tire store

no comment!

AlanU · « **Reply #12 on:** December 24, 2007, 06:49:10 PM »

Quote

i've said it here before & i'll say it again.....i would never take a vehicle or recommend that someone take their vehicle to crappy tire for any sort of service or repair.

that store is only good for their cheap, semi-disposable life-time wauranteed tools (which i have alot of ), cheap camping equipment, cheap xmas ornaments, and cheap $ sign spinner hub caps.

good post alan. glad to hear that you called them on their bullshittery and got it sorted out. i can only imagine how many other non-car people (female or other) that have been taken hard by their over-priced, under performed vehicle repairs.

scary how I had to \"discuss\" overcharging a simple task.

Off topic but Silas Theres nothing wrong with crappy tire tools. They work well for the price but its always nice to slowly incorporate SnapOn ratchets and sockets and phasing the canadian tire stuff for a fully equipped tool box for home use.

German Stahlwille wrenches work extremely well and are less money than snapon. The German wrenches bite just as effectively as a Snapon.

back on topic: I just hope I shed some light on what goes on in the automotive shops. If people have questions call up shops to see what the exact average shop rate is for particular jobs.

Alp · « **Reply #13 on:** December 25, 2007, 12:58:23 AM »

Hey Trevor tell me one group of car owners that aren't cheap? I have seen people with newer BMW's at Lordco and Cambodian Tire trying to get parts.

AlanU · « **Reply #14 on:** December 25, 2007, 10:49:39 AM »

Quote

Hey Trevor tell me one group of car owners that aren't cheap? I have seen people with newer BMW's at Lordco and Cambodian Tire trying to get parts.

Honda owners are not cheap LOL!!! From MB, BMW, Volks, Volvo's, Audi's many of the cars are geared for Dealership service only the way they try to make things proprietary. Your typical new chev, ford, dodge, toyota, honda, nissan etc etc are still relatively in your face OBDII easy scans.

Many cars in the European world are getting so complicated that techs and engineers do not know how to fix them easily or properly.

I've had an ML500 owner (arrogant, ondescending) tell me he \"wants\" me to fix his SUV. I laughed at him (trying to breathe through his cheesy bottle of cologne he was wearing) since I said he should be getting his car serviced at MB or MCL. That same week another newer MB wanted me to fix his HID system in his car. His warranty was up and he said its too expensive to get it fixed at MB. That same week a kid in a bmw 328 wanted to fix a problem the dealer couldn't fix or figure out....I said take it back and throw more beans at the car.

This is the reason why Altrom or worldpac (wholesale)does NOT deal with the public.

Terry H · « **Reply #15 on:** December 25, 2007, 01:55:12 PM »

Hey Alan , See just like a I told you . The pen makes more money than a wrench in the hand , but the guy holding the wrench sleeps better at night . Now doesn't it feel nicer holding the wrench

Cameron · « **Reply #16 on:** December 25, 2007, 02:55:30 PM »

Good story Alan!

I've heard lots of horror stories about CT also. I always advise people to stay away. If you must go, use them only for tire replacement, and very basic repairs. Like filling the washer fluid. Or changing wiper blades.

AlanU · « **Reply #17 on:** December 25, 2007, 02:57:10 PM »

Quote

Hey Alan , See just like a I told you . The pen makes more money than a wrench in the hand , but the guy holding the wrench sleeps better at night . Now doesn't it feel nicer holding the wrench

I was wondering when you were gonna chime in Terry.

Interesting world we live in.

silas · « **Reply #18 on:** December 25, 2007, 11:56:33 PM »

Quote

Off topic but Silas Theres nothing wrong with crappy tire tools. They work well for the price but its always nice to slowly incorporate SnapOn ratchets and sockets and phasing the canadian tire stuff for a fully equipped tool box for home use.

i was being sarcastic about the tools.

75% of the tools in my box are mastercrapft...because i dont quite make the coin to afford snap-on tools just yet. the mastercrapft tools suit me just fine. they hold up to the abuse i throw at them & i've only had to return 2 rachets in 3 years and the exchange was never questioned and was quite an easy transaction.

slugbug · « **Reply #19 on:** December 26, 2007, 11:29:19 AM »

The phrase \"useless as tits on a bull\" comes to mind.

GMB · « **Reply #20 on:** December 28, 2007, 09:32:40 AM »

Hey Guys I was a service manager with CT for a year and a half while floundering around trying to figure out what the hell I was doin with my life. CT is a microcosm for the industry as a whole in my opinion. In my experience there I met some awesome techs that 1. diagnosed well 2. repaired quickly and accurately. Consequently these techs made upwards of $100,000 year. I also worked with some middle of the road techs and some morons. The service managers ran the gamut as well. Some knew what they were doing and would be able to direct their machanics and customers properly getting to the root of a problem quickly and accurately and quoting for possible future service requirements. Some were awefull and had no idea what the hell they were doing (usually kids) and had all sorts of interesting problems to contend with. I was unique I think as I was the only service manager that holds an interprovincial mechanics TQ and the mechanics Knew it so I was able to hold the mechanics feet to the flame.
That being said I shudder in fear every time I have to take my newer cars in for service that I either do not have time or do not have a facility to work on myself. Any shop can be a nightmare not just CT. I am lucky to have a longtime friend who owns a large shop (even then I still have to question his mechanics) but before that I would be at the mercy of what ever shop I happened into. It's scarry but a service shop is run by people and like every thing else you get good, bad, and ugly. Just my 2 cents worth.
Gary.

Author Topic: Non Vw: Canadian Tire (Read 2971 times)

Matt