Don't even take your LHD to Canadian Tire!

[mararmeisto]

This story is indicative of why a number of us tell the masses NOT to take their vehicle to Canadian Tire for out-of-province inspections: they don't know what they're looking for. Thankfully this guy drives away without his wheels falling off.

[almac]

yes. i had a bad experience at CT in PoCo. they caused more damage than they repaired! (very long story...)
i will NEVER let CT service any vehicle i will ever own in the future.

the only thing i use CT for is buying brand name parts or tools. their service sucks.

[William]

What's even more scary is that if you have a US import, they are the only ones allowed to do the RIV inspection....

[drrod]

The RIV inspection that CT does is very superficial. They really only check that the deficiencies needed to bring it up to Canadian specs have been done (eg. DRL, child seat anchors, etc). With the ones I have been involved with, it was about a half hour, no charge (you pay at the border when you come across). For all intents and purposes, it is just a paperwork thing, not really a mechanical thing. On the other hand, I wouldn't let them do the provincial inspection, even on bet.

Rod

[tonydca]

FWIW, I recently bought a set of snows from Canadian Tire at 7th and Cambie. Price included install/balancing on my wheels.

The guy's (lead service tech - great guy) face drops when he sees my van. "Uh," he says, "we're not allowed to service RHD vehicles. Company policy." He was very sympathetic and said he knew the rules were a crock of sh!t (personally loves Delicas, and chatted my ear off about mine), but his manager was a real jerk - wouldn't let the van in the bays. "Oh, my guy might drive it off the hoist by accident... "

"Fine," says I, "I'll drive it around the back and send your guy out with a floor jack and we'll do it ghetto-style and swap tires in the alley." Nope, wouldn't do that. Can't even touch them.

Needless to say I raised a stink about paying for an installation that they wouldn't honour, so got a decent chunk off the price just to go away.

But what a pain in the ass. I agree with an eariler poster. Some products, great. Service, forget it.

[jessef]

Here lies the problem.

Canadian Tire stores are independently owned = different service from different locations.

Going to a Canadian Tire store is really no different than picking any service shop for that matter.

You have be aware, be armed with knowledge of your vehicle and most of all, have references for a specific shop, including Canadian Tire one's.

I've gone to different Canadian Tire stores and received completely different levels of service.

President George Iny said it found the quality of service varied among Canadian Tire outlets, which are independently owned and operated.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columb ... z16wJsbVMD

Point : Do your homework when it comes to choosing a shop.

[Island Hopper]

When I was 16 I got my license and first car (VW Rabbit) in the mid 80's. I remember my Dad me telling not to get any service work done at Canadian Tire. My Dad worked for Royal Insurance at the time and told me there was a lot of out court settlements with Canadian Tire and it's customers. To this day I still have never been into a Canadian Tire to ever get any servicing done.

[surfhunter]

What's even more scary is that if you have a US import, they are the only ones allowed to do the RIV inspection....

Not quite true, I imported a US Vehicle and refused to let CT inspect it. I had it done at a local garage, both Federal & Provincial.

[drrod]

Surf,
Did you have to pay for the Federal inspection at the non CT place? When you cross the border, you pay for the Federal inspection at CT at the time. So maybe you don't HAVE to have it done by CT, just if you don't to pay for it twice.

Rod

[surfhunter]

The local garage I brought it to did the Federal and the Provincial. I only paid for the Provincial & the Air Test. The local shop was actually listed on the package that I got from the RIV as a Federal Inspection center. So short answer to my long winded answer, no, it was included in the RIV fee. It would really suck if we were stuck with only one option for Federals, it wouldnt suprise me though in all reality though if that were to happen, being in Canada. But thats a whole other discussion.

[DeliTan]

When I imported a motorcycle from the states I went to Crappy Tire for the paid-for RIV inspection. I told them they may not touch my baby or I will kill them. They said that's OK, they only needed to know the tire pressure. I pointed out the tire pressure label on the swingarm. He (carefully) read the label, wrote something down, and we were done.

True story

john

[drrod]

Things have changed and for the better. The last time I imported (2005), CT was the only one listed by RIV (at least on the paperwork that I had).

Rod