Kal Tire

I have lived in Whitecourt for 14 years and we have always gone to Kal Tire. But then, a few months ago, we got the tires balanced on our van and when I went to re-torque them, a few days later, I was a little miffed to see that one of the bolts on the driver's side front tire was missing. It had been sheared off. I immediately called Kal Tire and talked to a gentleman there. Right from the get-go he was not really willing to take responsibility for the damage. He said the workers there usually reported that kind of thing. I knew my wife was going on a long trip with the van and I said we just needed to get the part ordered and the bolt fixed even if I had to pay for it. I asked him to order it. Over a week later there was still no reply. I called and talked to a lady at Kal Tire. She could not find anything regarding our van. I once again asked for the part the be ordered even if I had to pay for it myself and I was never outright told that they would cover it. About 10 days passed (and my wife's trip was getting closer) so I called again. I talked to the same girl and found out the part had been in for some time. They just didn't call. I got the van booked in for the next available time-slot, two days later. We got a call from Kal Tire while the van was in their shop and we were informed that the front brakes were in desperate need to be changed. We said go ahead and do. When we went to pick up the van we were pretty surprised to get a $500+ bill. Not only did they install new brakes but they installed new rotors as well. Those were definitely installed without our permission. This was a "Canadian Tire" move on their part and they have now lost our business because of it. I do not go out of my way to do a bad a review on a business - I am a business owner myself. The broken bolt and the run-around surrounding it was annoying, but to be fair they did not charge me for parts or labor to repair it; but I honestly did not know if they were going to do that until I saw my bill. But the new rotors without our permission when we were only told the brakes needed to be redone was too much. In the future, if I was the manager of Kal Tire, I would instruct my employees to work on their communications. If you screw up admit it and make amends and NEVER install parts without fully discussing it with the customer unless you want a reputation like Canadian Tire's.
7 years ago (15-08-2017)

On my way from Edmonton to Grande Prairie I got a flat tire, seeing that I've dealt with Kal Tire for ever and purchased 4 new tires for $1200 two months prior I stopped at Kal in Whitecourt, told the fellow at the desk of the situation and that I'm passing by, he said they were to busy and if I left my vehicle they would see if they could do something that day, this was at 10am. So I said can you confirm if you can get it done, he said that they could try. So I drove on a flat to a gas bar and filled my tire and drove to Fox Creek, 80km away, When I got there the tire was flat. Went to OK Tire, they were booked for the day but because of my situation they said to give them about 30 minutes and they would help me out, I was down the road within an hour, great service from OK Tire.
7 years ago (26-09-2017)

All of my tires have been bought at Kal tire in BC and Alta for over 20 years. I had a bad experience about 8 years ago at the Whitecourt store so I decided to use other Kal Tire stores instead. As I don't recall what the bad experience actually was I decided to buy a new set of winter tires so I got a quote yesterday and called this morning to make an appointment. She asked if I could come by the store and give a deposit. I have never been asked that before but I said I could I suppose as I am in town. So I asked if the tires were in stock and if it was possible to get an appointment for Sat. No they were not in stock and if I wanted them by Saturday I would have to pay $20 per tire shipping. The young lady I talked to there was friendly, professional and I would say does a great job representing Kal Tire. I recommend that you avoid this store if possible. The Barrhead Kal Tire, in sharp contrast, offers outstanding service and always has. My tires were not in stock at the Barrhead store either but they will be there tomorrow and I have my Saturday appointment without any of the baloney that the Whitecourt Kal Tire expects the customers to swallow.
7 years ago (21-09-2017)

Great service & usually pretty fast! Will repair any flat tire for free & install tires not purchased there.
7 years ago (16-09-2017)

I was driving from Edmonton to GP for work, when both my rear tires went flat. (Screws from work). The crew at Kal Tire took me in without an appointment, plugged my tires and sent me on my way FREE of charge. Huge thanks to Kal Tire and you will definitely get my services from here on out.
8 years ago (15-06-2017)