Canadian Tire

My experience with the Automotive Department of this Canadian Tire was, in a word, a nightmare. I brought my older car in to get the rear brakes done in July: pads, calipers, drums, rotors. Along with this work came a complete brake system flush. Two months later, all four tires on my car start seizing when I drive it. I take it back into Canadian Tire. They say the brake hoses have disintegrated and as a result of the seizing, my front rotors and pads (along with the hoses) need to be replaced. I'm curious as to how this is possible after a recent flush. I don't know much about cars, so my dad goes to bat for me. After a long discussion, they agree to knock a bit off the price (but deny any wrongdoing). We decide to get a second opinion and take it to another mechanic in Drayton Valley. What the other mechanic finds is that the root of the problem is that the master cylinder is wrecked. In his words "the top was blown off." He takes a sample of the brake fluid and finds that it is contaminated. He tells me that that contamination is what has caused the deterioration of the brake hoses. The entire hydraulic system is shot. He tells me that the only feasible way this contamination occurred is from whomever worked on the brakes last, which was Canadian Tire. (It should also be noted that this mechanic actually called Canadian Tire for me, because he believed they were in the wrong and should take some step toward rectifying the problem. The other mechanic stood to make some considerable money off of me, but instead believed Canadian Tire should fix the problem, which tells you something about his integrity.) Now - if I had had the front brake work done at Canadian Tire, I would have driven away with THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. My tires would have seized again, and the brand new parts Canadian Tire had installed would have been damaged. I call a manager (Dennis) at Canadian Tire and speak to him about this. He asks me to bring the car in. I do. I also bring the sample of the contaminated brake fluid (which, after having settled, has separated so that you can clearly see that there is another substance in there along with the brake fluid). We talk about the issue. Dennis (who was, to be fair, attentive and professional) says that the car will be examined by the same technician (George) who did the original work. I told Dennis the absolute truth: the only people who have ever touched the brakes on this car since I took ownership was Canadian Tire. I get a call today from Dennis. The technician "found" a puddle on the ground under my car. Upon further examination, he "found" that there was a leak in the brake hose, and therefore the obvious conclusion is that someone knew about the leak and topped up the brake fluid and contaminated it (that someone apparently being me). I did not. Nobody did. I had no issues with the brakes until AFTER CANADIAN TIRE DID THE ORIGINAL WORK IN JULY. So why didn't Canadian Tire catch this leak after the second examination? Why didn't the other mechanic? The answer is simple: there was no leak. This is an absolute lie made up to avoid responsibility for a problem that has left me without a vehicle for weeks, a problem caused by the only people who have touched the brakes in my car: CANADIAN TIRE. This is unprofessional. This is underhanded and this is honestly one of the most outrageous, ridiculous outcomes I ever could have expected. I have never been more outraged than I am at this moment. I hate conflict and confrontation, but this has been one of the crappiest experiences of my life. The Automotive Department at this Canadian Tire is an absolute sham. I would not recommend taking your vehicle here to anyone, and as a result of this (thanks to this story), none of my friends or family will be taking their vehicles here, either. If you are reading this, I urge you to take your vehicle anywhere else. Do not stumble into this travesty of a business expecting professionalism or honesty. You will not get it.
7 years ago (29-09-2017)

Two older women, Christine, a supervisor and the other at the service desk, not very accommodating. Two young sales people Tasha and Austin really awesome. Those two ladies can learn lots from their younger counterparts in terms of how to look after their clients. Now, when I go to the Drayton Valley store, I don't feel comfortable when I see them. Because of this I'm more likely to shop elsewhere!
7 years ago (01-07-2017)

Its drayton valley good.
7 years ago (24-11-2017)

Person was helpful, and they honoured the price that was incorrect. Couldn't ask for more
7 years ago (18-08-2017)

Canadian tire. Just fine. Actually found employees and they were very helpful.
8 years ago (08-06-2017)