In your Cdn Tire story, you forgot to mention that if you purchase goods with your credit card, you don't get their Cdn Tire money to begin with, so the return policy problem that you talked about doesn't exist. I would be willing to bet you didn't take that into account when you came up with the dollar figures the stores would get in returns. Please, when you do a story on this type of thing, please remember, you could hurt a company financially. I think if you were to do a survey or whatever on cash verses credit, you would find that we live in a cash less society, most people use credit cards to purchase items. That is why most people are in debt. I don't work for Cdn Tire and don't really shop there very much, but let's be fair. Posted by: Barry from Barrie | Dec 5, 07 08:09 PM

I would suggest she tell her insurance co. to get lost. When I was living in Scarborough, I had a break-in and had $42.00 of CT money stolen along with a lot of other stuff. It was covered by the company, no argument. Try another insurance company. Posted by: W. Chamberlain | Dec 5, 07 08:19 PM

I have no idea why you and other people are whining about Canadian tire deducting their "money" from your return. All you have to do is return it. Or have you already used it to pay for something else you have purchased from c.t.c.? Also they give 6 7 8 9 10 even 12 times the coupons in the store for buying gas that you can use as real money in the store. Their gas is always the same price in my town as others . Last week they had 12 times the coupons. After fueling I got $6.00 back to spend in the store. Posted by: kenneth boulton | Dec 5, 07 08:25 PM

Re: The Canadian Tire Money segment of your 5 Dec 07 program. What a waste of Market Place's time and effort. If you received CTC money with your purchase and returned the purchase without the CTC money your refund is reduced accordingly. The allegation that Canadian Tire makes money out of such returns is groundless UNLESS you lost (presuming that it is not found and used by someone else), or destroyed the CTC money. In such returns if Canadian Tire did not recover the value of the CTC money from you then you would be getting something for nothing. Why the devil should you? Following your complaint's logic, people who do not return the "free" TV that they received with the furniture they purchased and later returned to Canadian retailers should not have the TV cost [perhaps inflated!] deducted from the credit. Posted by: Peter M. Darrach | Dec 5, 07 08:27 PM

(1 of 2) I found a number of items in this story slanted against Canadian Tire (CT). The story: 1) ignores policies of similar loyalty programs 2) ignores the potential loopholes created by changing this policy 3) had slanted calculations that don't account for the fact that the CT money that was not returned is still in consumers hands (or jars) and thus can be used at any time I agree 100% that it is annoying to not receive a full refund as I have been through this myself. But what about comparisons to other rewards/loyalty programs? Do you think that other rewards programs don't expect to "take back" points that you have earned from purchases when you make returns? Check with Air Miles, Visa, Aeroplan, HBC Rewards, or dozens of other similar programs... the reality is that if they don't have a policy in place to protect themselves then the retailer would be taken advantage of. Consider someone who buys a snow blower or other large ticket item and then returns said item - if CT doesn't get their coupons back then they've essentially rewarded the purchaser with $40-50 for buying and then returning a product! While I understand that not every purchase is a large ticket item, there are a lot of large-ticket purchases at stores like Canadian Tire and even the small purchases add up. The calculation of how much money CT "steals" from its customers due to its return policy is extremely lopsided. This calculation is based on the assumption that the CT money that the customers failed to return has "disappeared" (never to be used again) so therefore CT gets to pocket the difference. However, within the same episode the gentleman who is complaining about the return policy shows a jar FULL of CT money. Whether he uses it himself, or whether he gives it to charity as he had indicated, the expectation is that it will be used. Otherwise why keep it in a jar - if you don't intend to use it? Posted by: Chris | Dec 5, 07 09:10 PM

(Part 2 of 2) If you want to pass judgment on CT I suggest questioning their decades-old loyalty program. Why are they still going through the expense and hassle of a printed currency in the era of cashless economy? The reason is likely simple - those consumers taking advantage of the CT money they receive is likely a small percentage of overall consumers (just like mail in rebates or even gift certificate redemption stats). Forget the returns! Where CT really wins is on every purchase where they hand out CT$... they generate millions in goodwill handing out coupons that never get used. Turn CT money into CT points and track them through a loyalty program like HBC. This will deal with the returns issue because points are credited back transparently. More importantly this benefits the consumer because they can now see on their statement all of the points that they've earned (no more money in a desk drawer where any thief can grab it, no more searching through your wallet or purse, and no more CT money jars). And best of all, you have access to this money to use on any purchase you so choose without having to track it, store it, and remember it when you go shopping! So why doesn't CT do this? Very simple - the cost of their loyalty program would go way up because now consumers would actually start USING the rewards that CT has so "freely" given them. In summary, CT was likely one of the first (and I'm sure one of the most successful) loyalty programs of its kind and size. While I understand the frustration people may have with returns, the policy here is really no different than with other loyalty programs AND CT is essentially forced to have such a policy to avoid being taken advantage of. However, CT is one of the LAST large retailers in Canada to join the technical revolution and make a loyalty program worthy of the era. A loyalty program designed with the consumer in mind... now that's your story - and you can take that to the Bank! Posted by: Chris | Dec 5, 07 09:24 PM

Your story about Canadian Tire coupons misses the whole point of returning them when returning an item. Let's say I bought that hockey stick you use in your example. If I were able to return it without returning the coupons, I would have "made" 20 cents. If I do this enough times in a day, I would become rich very quickly, and if everybody did this, the company, one of the last bastions of Canadian retailing, would soon cease to exist. Quite honestly, most Canadians know exactly how this works, and they value their coupons. If you don't want yours, I'll take them. As far as the man who is miffed about his 40 cents, he should shop somewhere else - I'll take his coupons too! Posted by: Peter Weber | Dec 5, 07 10:04 PM

Nothing about Canadian Tire's policy and practice regarding their "money" is a secret. Or clandestine. Or obscure. And the "fine print" is about 8 point. If a customer is not paying attention, that is not the fault of Canadian Tire. If a customer chooses not to follow the clearly stated procedures, that is not the fault of Canadian Tire. If Canadian Tire makes money from the failure of their customers to pay attention, whose fault is that? Posted by: Carol Rushworth | Dec 5, 07 10:07 PM

Could you imagine? 50 people buy a $700.00 Bar-B-Q at Cdn Tire, they return them No C.T. Money is requested on the refund. This would be a loss at C.T. . Multiply this by every return at C.T. Hellooo? No one pays for this at C.T. I have used their money for years and I LIKE IT. If you don't want the money donate it to charity. Your point of view was very OBTUSE. Posted by: Ray Wagner | Dec 5, 07 10:12 PM

As others pointed out, even if you have to pay for not having the coupons when you return items, you've either used the coupons already, or they're sitting at home, so you can use them later. In calculating how much the stores made on the returns, you didn't take that into account. Posted by: Karen | Dec 5, 07 10:16 PM

I totally agree with most of the posters to this link. If you received CTC money with your purchase and returned the purchase without the CTC money your refund is reduced accordingly. It just makes sense to any logical thinking person. I have more faith in this CTC loyalty program than in any other loyalty program (Airmiles, Club Z, etc) in the country. Quite simply, it works, it has a cash value in the CTC store whereas you need to collect Airmiles or Club Z forever to get enough points to get a $20 gift card. In fact most people never cash in their loyalty points because they can never reach the ever moving threshold to get the minimum redemption level. Do an expose on that. Posted by: Herb Roblin | Dec 5, 07 10:53 PM

No store owes anything to their customers, other than fair value for their money. The fact that Canadian Tire offers Canadian Tire Money to their customers is a bonus for the customer, no matter which way you view it. It is understood that Canadian Tire Money is only good for merchandise purchased in the Canadian Tire store. I have known this for as long as I have shopped in their stores. This isn't rocket science! Also, when you purchase items using a Canadian Tire Credit Card, you get "money on the card" as a rebate. This is also a bonus to the customer. No store "owes it" to the customer to offer these types of bonuses. I have always found Canadian to be a great place to get quality goods, and very seldom have had to return a faulty item. In fact, I honestly cannot remember ever returning anything to them for a refund. Posted by: Marilyn Crosbie | Dec 5, 07 11:12 PM

Canadian Tire money is a lot like any other loyalty points program. For example, if you return something to Zellers, your HBC Rewards points from the purchase are reversed as well. If you don't return the Canadian Tire money on a return and it wasn't deducted from the refund amount, and you subsequently use that CT money in the store, then it is Canadian Tire that is "out of pocket". Posted by: Alex | Dec 5, 07 11:14 PM

Here's something your CT segment didn't include. What if you purchase an item at Canadian tire and use CT "money" to pay for part of it. Well guess what, if you return that item you don't get your CT "money" back. I argued with the manager, but it didn't change a thing. They do not refund CT "money" on returns. So that $20.00 in CT "money" I used to purchase my $50.00 item was gone. Seems like quite the double standard to me. Posted by: C. Allen | Dec 6, 07 12:09 AM

Of course Canadian Tire must deduct the value of the Canadian Tire money that you fail to return with your returned product. That's the only logical and sensible thing to do. Demanding the full amount of your payment while keeping the Canadian Tire money that you got with your purchase -- that's just dishonest. Why, if I could get a full refund without returning the Canadian Tire money I got with my purchase, I'd be able to build up a nice stash of Canadian Tire money at home just by buying and returning the same item, until I can get that same item for free by redeeming that stash of Canadian Tire money; and look, I still have the cost of the item in my pocket! And as for whether Canadian Tire money is "money" or "coupons", that is completely immaterial. The fact remains that they can be used to lessen the cost of items bought at a Canadian Tire store, and that is all there is to it. Posted by: Chris H. | Dec 6, 07 01:30 AM

About time you did a story on these guys! Imagine the nerve: Asking us to return the money they gave us as a reward when making a purchase from them! How stupid do you think we are CBC? Marketplace just went from being a credible source of journalistic expertise to being sensationalist and, quite frankly, very Fox networky! I use coupons because they are worth something to me. Much like Canadian Tire Money is. The really annoying thing is that it is getting harder and harder to collect. I guess you can blame Wal Mart for that! Posted by: mike Jenkins | Dec 6, 07 01:33 AM

The Michael Moore School of Reporting - truth by omission. Canadian Tire Money is a loyalty program. You the reward when you buy something - why would you get to keep the reward when you return your purchase. You end up ahead of the game. Just use the money the next time you make a purchase. You neglected to mention in this in your report. Canadian Tire is not ahead millions of dollars when they deduct the coupon amount - most times the coupons will end up being used. Please present all of the facts next time. Posted by: Kerry Williams | Dec 6, 07 08:20 AM

I'm a fan of Marketplace but your Canadian Tire(CT) segment was a waste of time. Can I please get back the 15 minutes of my life I used to watch that story. If they gave you coupons when you made the purchase and you didn't return them with the merchandise they should deduct the coupon amount off the refund. Look at it this way: if they didn't what would stop me from going in to a store each week, purchase a thousand dollars worth of goods I don't need, get CT money, return the items then turn around and use the CT money and repurchase the goods I need. I'd probably get about $20 worth of free stuff each week off the pocketed CT money. Why should CT give you something for free? Also when you make purchases at CT on a credit card you do not get CT money. In the interest of good journalism you should have mentioned that before doing your estimated calculation on what you figure CT pockets. My opinion is you were just trying to make the numbers sound sexy. Also CT doesn't pocket that money. You forgot to consider that the CT money from the original purchase is out there circulating somewhere unless the person threw it away or destroyed it so when that money is brought back into the store at a later time it has to be subtracted off the numbers that you threw out. I would also like to point out that I do not work for CT or have any affiliation to them. In fact I do not even work in retail, I'm just a guy with some common sense. Posted by: Omar Khan | Dec 6, 07 08:27 AM

Your Show on Canadian Tire money is a real eye opener. I also noticed Canadian tire is not customer friendly. Their obsession with preventing shoplifting makes their store unsafe in an emergency. Ever try to get out without a purchase? or try to use the washroom? I am a 70 year old male with an enlarged prostate. Their washrooms are locked, and inadequate. My question is, Does Canadian Tire have the Ministry of Health in its pocket? Every other major store, such as Walmart, Zellers, Costco, provide decent and clean washroom facilities for their customers. Why not Canadian Tire? Accident waiting to happen Posted by: Enrie B. Seebaran | Dec 6, 07 10:33 AM

I would be curious of their policy regarding purchases made entirely with CT money (I do believe you get a 3% return of CT money on those purchases also), particularly if it was an issue of dissatisfaction with a product as apposed to a product failure which could be easily remedied with a replacement. Posted by: Phillip Ready | Dec 6, 07 12:27 PM

What a bunch of whiners. And your hosts are no better. If you buy a $300 item and return it and get your $300 back AND keep the coupons, you have just ripped Canadian Tire off for $3. You can then go into the store and buy a screwdriver or something and essentially have walked off with a free screwdriver. It's a loyalty program. CTC does it to promote loyalty, grow their business and make more money. Learn how to use it to your advantage, or be stupid and fritter the bonus money away and CTC will make even more profit Posted by: Brian | Dec 6, 07 01:16 PM

I'd like to echo the comments so far. Marketplace must be reaching the bottom of the barrel for stories. Personally I never pay cash and therefore never have CT money. I believe the CT money is paid to encourage payment by cash so CT they avoid credit card charges. (at least that was its original intent). Posted by: Allan Lamothe | Dec 6, 07 01:54 PM

The only problem I have with Cdn Tire money is that I'm one of two people always right behind the person using it to pay for something. A little annoying but I do it too (hence the second person). It's credit to use on other items in the store. What other retailer offers a coupon which can be cumulative? I'd also like to say that the person shredding the $2 note has more money than brains. In my opinion that $2 is $2 tax free money to use in the store. Posted by: Steve Rowland | Dec 6, 07 03:35 PM

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out if Canadian Tire doesn't have the policy on the return of "Canadian tire money", they would lose money so fast, they would not still be in business. They are a wonderful company to do business with and have a good, fair return policy. I usually find your show informative, BUT in Canada, DO NOT try to hurt one of our top retailers. I hope your common sense will kick in and you will tell the truth, that Canadian Tire is a great Canadian retailer, with wonderful customer service and the reason for their success is only because they serve their customers well. Posted by: heather | Dec 6, 07 04:20 PM

Even this clod from the prairies has figured out that CT money is a good deal for me. I buy stuff, they give me 'cash' back. The Mrs. and I bought a whackload of camping gear one year...all on CT money (probably $200 worth in one shopping spree). If you really think about it, who was out of pocket that day? You bet: CTC! As others have said, if you throw their gift to you away don't gripe. Something just occurred to me. I think this feature was supposed to interpreted as a 'humour' piece. It's the only way to keep it in perspective. Posted by: Redneck Albertan | Dec 6, 07 06:03 PM

I agree with the majority of comments that your story on Canadian Tire money was a total waste of time. Your logic was completely missing with this one. You should apologize to Canadian Tire for making them look like a greedy company when their return policy is perfectly justified. Posted by: Barb McNamara | Dec 6, 07 09:21 PM

Your Canadian Tire "money" Marketplace item was a waste of your time and mine and was not fair to Canadian Tire. There must be lots of real problems you could have featured instead. Posted by: Ron Vogan | Dec 6, 07 10:41 PM

I'm sure you have noticed that not one person has agreed with your take on CT money. Your credibility has hit rock bottom with me. What a slanted story. To those idiots that are burning or shreding their CT money, grow up. Did you coach the people you interviewed, or are they just unable to figure things for them selves? Posted by: Valerie MacKenzie | Dec 7, 07 06:02 AM

Come on! When I purchase something I usually keep the bill and anything that came with it. I've never had a problem with CT money. A few years ago I made a purchase that resulted in $30.00 worth of CT money. If I decided to return it for a refund, do you really expect Canadian Tire to let me keep that $30.00 of purchasing power? If that were the case there would be an open door for those people who like to find a way to rob these companies. Posted by: Kathy | Dec 7, 07 08:46 AM

I watched the CBC news on the Canadian Tire Money rebate. I don't see the big problem here. Just bring back the tendered money you were given and return it to CT. The reporter totaled up what CT was receiving over several years by not letting the customer keep the money. That would be equal to what CT would lose if they let the customer keep each time they returned something and didn't bring the CT money back. I'm not a CT employee just a customer and don't see a problem with their policy. Posted by: Alec Murdoch | Dec 7, 07 10:29 AM

And you wonder why Canadian Tire didn't respond? You're so far off base it's not worthy of comment from them. Also consider the outstanding liability that CT carries, plus the fact that Canadian Tire money does not expire unlike some other coupons, gift cards or rebate programs. Posted by: Lyle | Dec 7, 07 11:02 AM

Probably my two fave Canadian institutions are the CBC and CTC. Here are my thoughts re the piece you did this week on CTC. 1) Get over it! 2) It IS as good as cash at CTC stores. 3) YOU EVEN GET CTC $ WHEN YOU PAY with CTC $. Is this a great country or what?! d) The calculations re what CTC makes include the assumption that no-one who gets 'dinged' on a return uses the CTC $ associated with that purchase. BOGUS assumption! You need to subtract from the amount you say CTC gains the amount they lose by people using their CTC money. Should I be allowed to buy a $500 item one day, return it the next for $500, then spend the $15 I got in CTC money? In what universe does THAT make sense? Overall, your piece was biased and bogus. It seems all the other posters agree. Shape up Marketplace!! Posted by: Mal | Dec 8, 07 05:37 PM

I have watched Marketplace for many years an in general I find it very informative but this particular episode is just plain silly. The CT money is a cash discount and I have never met anyone before who doesn't know that when you return goods to Canadian Tire you have to return your CT money. The people on your show must have dropped in from another planet. Please keep the standard of this show up - this episode is not worthy. Posted by: Ian Dickinson | Dec 8, 07 06:13 PM

HA! I was going to email a rant about the slamming CT received from people who want to get a full refund PLUS keep the money CT gave them that was sitting in their glovebox. But I see enough people saw through the smoke of the torches as Marketplace chased CT to the witch burning arena with their pitchforks. I would have loved to seen the look on the reporters face when they realized this little fact. Ah, I got a good laugh thinking about that. Posted by: kelly Melvin | Dec 8, 07 08:26 PM

Canadian Tire money: I sometime wonder what planet market place reports from. It can't be earth because even as a senior I enjoy the benefits when I shop at CT stories. I'm not sure if you drank to much when you did this story; but it left a bad taste in my mouth. I do think you should really apologize to CT. Do you really think there are people out there that can't understand that when you return something you bought but kept the CT money that they shouldn't cover their cost . . . please give us a break, we're not that stupid, are we? Posted by: Peter Friesen | Dec 8, 07 11:44 PM

Quote.."Must be returned, along with merchandise, when merchandise is returned for cash refund. Otherwise its value will be deducted from refund total." So? If this was not the case, let's look at what someone might do. They could buy 4 or 5 snowblowers from Canadian Tire and then return them the next day. The Canadian Tire money on this is about say $600.00. You do this a few times and if Canadian Tire did not recover the CT money, you would be able to use the CT money to actually purchase a snowblower free at some point in time. Of course Canadian Tire has to get back their CT money otherwise everyone could use the same trick at above. No. I'm afraid Canadian Tire is indeed correct this time. Posted by: John Sullivan | Dec 9, 07 12:25 PM

When shopping at Canadian Tire, always pay with your credit card, even for small amounts. You won't get annoyed with their funny money because they won't give you any. Posted by: RichardC | Dec 9, 07 12:28 PM

I do not get your show. You seem to only feature part of the truth of many of your shows. You make me embarrassed to be Canadian...you are like a USA "shock value" show. I love CT. You kept speaking of returning the hockey sticks and being out the 20 cents. That is a lie, since you have the 20 cents CT money at home that you can return at any time. Of course, this is only if you used cash or debit since you do not get CT on a credit card purchase. In a world of Walmart, Home Depot and all other USA types, let's try to keep our Canadian stores open. Please stop featuring such biased shows. Posted by: Carole | Dec 9, 07 12:33 PM

Marketplace is pathetic. I could go into all the reasons why your story was illogical, slated and just plain stupid, but that was already done in the previous posts. Have you noticed that none of the posters are taking Marketplace's side. This is not the first time the CBC "invented" a story. What moron at CBC had the idea to waste thousands of taxpayers dollars slandering a national company that hires thousands of Canadians over a few dollars worth of coupons? I can not wait for the Conservative government to get a majority so that they can finally sell the incredible waste of taxpayers money called the CBC. Posted by: Tony Longo | Dec 9, 07 12:42 PM

Regarding your piece on Canadian Tire money, it has always been my understanding that this program started as a benefit to customers using cash as it saved Canadian Tire from the fees credit card companies charge for the use of their cards. Canadian Tire and their "funny money" has long been such a part of the Canadian identity that one wonders why someone would forget to bring their CT money back in the first place. My CT money is usually in my pocket wrapped up in the receipt anyway. Incentive program or not, with some major retail chains entering our market from the U.S.A (Walmart, Lowes, etc.) we should be shopping at Canadian Tire, Rona and others anyway to support the Canadian economy. Also, aside from the "funny money" issue, whenever I have had to return anything to Canadian Tire, which is rare, I have had nothing but friendly and efficient service. I will always shop Canadian Tire. Posted by: Randy | Dec 9, 07 12:49 PM

I was so annoyed by your story about CT money. I never have a problem relinquishing my CT money when I return an item to the store and they never give me any problem taking an item back that I don't want. The next time you put together a segment such as this, you may want to think about telling the whole story. You failed to mention that if you save enough CT money to purchase a product and cover the whole cost including tax, they still give you CT money back with your purchase, in effect paying you to take their merchandise. Wonder how much that costs the company per year? You also failed to mention that CT money does not expire like the points offered in many other store loyalty programs. Posted by: Carrie - Loyal CT Shopper | Dec 9, 07 12:51 PM

As so many of your comments indicate, your segment on CTC "money" is way off base. Although your refund is decreased by the amount of coupons issued, you still have the coupons and are not out of pocket for the transaction. Any other policy would result in abuse and losses for CTC. I am a frequent shopper at CTC and use their card for purchases at both the gas pumps and the store with the benefits of CTC money, but without carrying around a pocketful of paper coupons. Your failure to present a balanced approach on this issue leads to questions on the veracity of your program in it the whole. Posted by: Gerry | Dec 9, 07 01:17 PM

I am very disappointed the unprofessional job CBC Marketplace did with regard to their report on Canadian Tire money. If you can not do your homework properly, can you consider yourselves professional journalists? Blasting a Canadian institution such as Canadian Tire by mispresenting $ amounts that CT "steals" from their costumers is scandalous as it is grossly incorrect. The simple truth is that CT tells you in advance what their policy is, and if you do not return the CT dollars, you get to keep them to spend some other time. CT bonus money is a simple straightfoward incentive that works. Canadian Tire, you were unjustly targeted in an unprofessional hatchet job. My sympathies to Canadian Tire, I will continue shopping there! Posted by: gloria | Dec 9, 07 02:34 PM

I agree with CT taking their money back on a return as does Zellers, etc. I think you should have brought up the fact that I bought a $1,400.00 snow blower from CT and only received $20.00 in CT money. I asked why so little and the cashier said that it was their policy that $20.00 was the max. If I went in and bought $100.00 worth of items 14 times I would have made a lot more in CT money. Share that with your viewers. Posted by: ginny | Dec 9, 07 06:28 PM

This program is nothing new. Most other companies and stores all use the same policy in different manners. If you purchase an item that comes with a "free bonus or promo", it is always stated that any bonus must accompany all returns. Example: 1)Purchase a Sears Craftsman Snowblower and receive a free Vinyl Cover ($49.95 Value), in addition to any Sears Club Points or Air Miles you may also receive. What use is the Vinyl Cover to a person who returns the Snowblower because they are not satisfied with the product? Ex: 2) Leon's and the Brick Furniture Stores - Purchase a Bedroom Set and receive a free Television Set (Items varies dependent upon purchase value.) I am a very big supporter of Canadian Tire and always check my receipts to ensure the correct amount of "Money on the Card" is deducted from from my points total when returning items, under their excellent store return policy. Whenever, I make a purchase and tell the cashiers in Brandon, MB "No thanks, just add them up", they always give me the surprised look and ask "Sir, do you realize how much Money on the Card you have?" I also enjoy looking at the old age CT Money some people cash in, and wonder how long they have held on to it. Allot of it reminds me of my childhood when I would shop there with my dad, and he would always hand the paper pennies over to me to save. Posted by: Chris | Dec 10, 07 02:43 AM

Not take the coupons? Why not? Is it so that you can complain when you return something and only get the cash amount less the coupon amount. Come on.... there are a lot of things you can complain about in this world. And people certainly don't need to be creating more things to be complaining about. Get a life. Posted by: Bill | Dec 10, 07 02:19 PM

I'm late with this but I agree with every one that this was the worst story you ever did and I have been watching you for 35 years. Posted by: Norbert | Dec 11, 07 09:44 AM

Most of the comments made by your viewers have hit the mark. Market Place wasted our time with this non-story. It's as if you have nothing to report on and you need to manufacture air time. I never comment on anything publicly such as this type of forum. I usually rant and rave around the house with my wife thinking I'm completely bonkers. Canadian tire has a great loyalty program with superb marketing with their flyers. When flyers come in at my house we have a competition over which one of us sees it first. Their gas stations give out ctc money and you can use it to buy stuff right away-just like money- or you can save it for something special. It is a no-brainer that a clerk would ask you to give it back when returning something. Your number crunching was ludicrous and without basis. Posted by: Jan Jansma | Dec 11, 07 02:54 PM

Did you story happen to mention that the Canadian Tire mastercard offers "Canadian Tire Money" everywere mastercard is accepted. That "money" can be used at any time in any value at any Canadian Tire Store. It can even pay the tax on the item. With Canadian Tire Money you can by anything they sell. You don't have to accumulate large amounts or choose from a book. It must be the most user friendly loyalty program in the country. Sorry to say your story was one sided and unfair. Posted by: Will Folland | Dec 12, 07 11:01 AM

I just watched your Canadian Tire money story and either I missed something or you made a gross error. You said that if you don't return the Canadian tire money on a refund then they deduct the amount off your return? What, would you like them to do give you the full amount? You still have the Canadian tire money that you could use on another purchase. That would be like receiving FREE money from Canadian Tire. Why would any company ever do this? Posted by: Brad Mercer | Dec 16, 07 11:23 AM

I think I might be the only voice in here that agrees with Marketplace on the whole CT money issue. Ok here we go: 1)CT claims this is a rewards program. Now tell me any other rewards program where participation is mandatory. 2)Marketplace's assumptions for CT money not being used is a correct one since regular people with lives are so busy that no one has time to collect forced "rewards" money so they can save $2 on their next purchase.Yeah right!?? 3)There is no other reward program out there when you lose your reward, you lose your actual CASH. 4)I think customers should be given a choice whether they want to receive CT money at Point of Sale just like other programmes. (Airmiles?) Posted by: Tom | Dec 16, 07 02:28 PM

I agree that this was not really a story, especially when it forgot to mention the policy only applied to cash transactions. Canadian Tire can justify maintaining the policy as long as customers have the option of opting out: If you don't want the "funny" money, just say no, and make sure it is not on your receipt. Posted by: Kenneth Golish | Dec 18, 07 01:19 PM

I've watched your Canadian Tire "Money" story and I have to comment that even though you are expected to refund your CT "Money" when returning an item, you also have the privilege of using that same "Money" towards another purchase. CBC quotes thousands of dollars that Canadian Tire are profiting from customers who not returning CT "Money"; however, have they added up the thousands of dollars worth of goods customers are purchasing from CT "Money" year after year? I don't think so. Do the Math CBC! Posted by: Karen Penney | Dec 23, 07 01:48 PM

I’m the fellow whose blog is linked above. I’d hardly classify my exchange with CT as a “fight”. I sent a note to their customer service department discussing my displeasure with selling with the defective product the company sold me and to question why I lost out on $.40 from a rewards program. The company chose to send what appeared to a form letter, which I posted. Reading through the comments here and some of the nasty notes I’ve received at my blog, it’s nice to immediately be labeled as dishonest or an idiot because I raised the question of why CT doesn’t simply post something at the registers about mentioning before the transaction that CT “money” can be kept off a receipt by request. I’ve also received some pretty vile stuff and one assumedly empty threat, but that’s what comes with having a blog, I suppose. I’m also a little shocked to see the number of people who seem to think Canadian Tire is giving out “money” out of the goodness of its heart. Handing out what are in essence coupons is just a marketing trick to get consumers back into the store – a good one and a nice one, but a trick nonetheless. If CT was really nice, they’d just lower the price on everything in the store by 1-2%, wouldn’t they, and save consumers the hassle of redeeming the cash? As for donating the money, in the future I’ll make clear to the cashier that’s what I’d like done. I hadn’t thought about it before because I hadn’t had to return a defective product, and didn’t really care about the $.25 or whatever I might be pitching out – and frankly, I kind of thought the company might be doing it on its own anyhow. However, the money I turned down that day went right back into the register. Posted by: Wayne Frazer | Dec 23, 07 05:04 PM

I am sorry but I LOVE Canadian tire money. I collect it in the paper form as well as on my card. Every year I am able to redeem the amount at Christmas time. I have gotten huge big ticket items for $0.00 real dollars and used canadian tire money only. The biggest thing I saved for and got a few years ago was a riding lawn mower for my father on fathers day. Come on people!!!!! Be money smart!!!!!!! Every penny adds up. Posted by: Jan. | Jan 2, 08 09:19 PM

For those few unfortunate souls too busy or too wealthy to bother with CT's free money but who are genuinely worried about having to give back the .40 or 2.00 they owe on a return, here's an idea: since you're going to save the receipt (and warranty, if there is one) in case you need it for a refund, keep the Canadian Tire money with the receipt. As several people pointed out, Tom, CT is not the only store to require the return of the reward and as almost everyone pointed out, they'd be nuts and out of business if they didn't. I haven't dealt with paper CT Money in years - the CT Mastercard rewards you with money on your card, not just when you shop at CT, but anywhere (although the reward is less elsewhere). I've gotten lots of stuff for free at CT thanks to this program. As Will posted, it is the most user-friendly reward program in Canada. Posted by: Phil | Jan 9, 08 12:13 AM

In essence, when Canadian tire takes back your 'real money' on a return when you don't have sufficient 'Canadian tire money' to cover what they credited you they are stealing from individuals by forcing you to surrender real tender for coupons. I don't agree with the policy and it has irritated me for quite some time. To the poster who claimed that you were picking on a nice Canadian company and suggested that the fight should be with Walmart not Canadian Tire, I say this. Canadian Tire = Walmart in corporate values, purchasing, pricing and products. When was the last time you looked at where the products come from in Canadian tire? Most are 'made in china', just like products sold at most multinational 'bixbox' chains, like Cdn Tire, Walmart, Loblaws Superstore. Please don't ever confuse buying from your 'local' Canadian Tire as buying local and supporting your local economy. Posted by: Adam from Ontario | Jan 9, 08 08:32 AM

I was in dire need of money. I had CT money. So I went to the store and bought something using CT money. I then returned the item. I got a full refund! All in CT money. I was a fool to think that they would refund in real cash. Just the like fools who think they shouldn't deduct the free CT money they received when they made their purchase. Why shouldn't CT deduct it? I really couldn't comprehend your story. I sat in disbelief watching your show on this topic. I'm sure I had the same expression on my face as I have when I watch the Shopping Channel pushing their garbage. Marketplace. You lost a LOT of credibility on this. Anyone who expects to keep the CT money when they return the item in an idiot. Posted by: Phil | Feb 3, 08 06:22 PM

I ran into this issue this week, it seems to me that the vouchers are in fact part of the packaging, and are therefore required back when you want a refund, which could be awkward if you have actually used them! (Though isn't that the point, to use them)? I managed to persuade them to return all my cash, as I didn't want or ask for the CT Money anyway, I did not know you can refuse it, but you can, so I will from now on. Posted by: russell | Feb 7, 08 02:01 PM

I can't imagine what the world would be like if these clowns were running the economy. How tough is it to remember to return $0.40 in CT Money? If you haven't used it, give it back. If you have used it, then you have reaped the benefits of the free money, now stop complaining and move on. If you don't want the CT Money, give it to charity. Posted by: Hooty | Feb 22, 08 01:16 PM

I usually buy my gas at Canadian Tire whenever possible for the reason I do get the CT money in return. Every bit sure helps these days when you're not rich like some of the folks that decline to accept it. I'm up to around $800 in CT money after a few years and a lot of litres of gas later. Let me tell you it will be nice when I go and buy the next big ticket item I need , like a lawn tractor or snowthrower. This would be money out of pocket if I never accepted the CT money, what a shame the way some people look at it, at least donate it to charity!! Posted by: Mike Miller | Mar 1, 08 05:58 PM

I had to laugh when I saw that guy shred his two bucks of Canadian Tire money. Why not just chuck a toonie across the street? Posted by: Bill | Mar 5, 08 05:06 AM

Compare the prices of Canadian Tire to other retail stores and you'll find they're either at par, or as in the case with the flyer specials, much cheaper. Add the fact you get the Canadian Tire Money/Coupon and it's usually always cheaper. I found your story pretty lame. If Canadian Tire didn't have such a policy, what's to stop someone from buying a really expensive item, returning it without the so called 'funny money,' then using the 'funny money' to buy something else. The policy is obviously there to protect Canadian Tire from this loop hole. What a waste of air time that story was. I'm working poor who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford some of the tools I need. Last spring I bought a canoe for $599.00. I noticed three weeks later it was on sale for $399.00. I went to the store of purchase and asked about the policy regarding items going on sale after you purchase them. They told me if an item went on sale 14 days after purchase they would refund you the difference. I had missed the 14 day window period by two days but the store manager still gave me my $200.00 back plus tax. Posted by: Billy Hill | Apr 2, 08 11:01 AM

well, tried again to make a purchase in CT, I asked to have ct money excluded from the transaction, was ignored by the cashier who issued it anyway, then accused of me of lying when I pointed out the error, CT, just stop it, it does you no favours,if customers want them, let them ask for them, otherwise,keep them! Posted by: russell | Apr 3, 08 11:25 PM

Not a bad article, however to really test that value of Canadian Tire money you should have gone back to the store after getting shorted $0.20 and said that you found your Canadian Tire money. Then see how readily they are willing to trade their coupons for real money... Posted by: Christopher Voss | Apr 6, 08 02:15 PM

Here in Calgary I've returned many things. Yes, they ask for the CT Money and if I don't have it, not a problem. BUT......I have never been shorted out on my refund for the CT Money I was to give back to them. NEVER. So this is all new to me that they don't give back the missing CT Money. BTW, what's the problem with the stuff. Collect it in a zipper bag, keep a running count inside whenever you put more in and buy something nice for yourself twice a year. You shop there anyway right? Posted by: Peter Eric Bruner | May 22, 08 08:44 PM

When I saw the advertisement for Marketplace against Canadian Tire, I was very disappointed that one of our last Canadian companies was going to the dogs. I missed the program aired on Wed. night and so I looked it up on the internet which brought me to here. I am very disappointed with Marketplace advertising their program this way. There is nothing wrong with Canadian Tire requesting their Canadian Tire money back when you return something. As someone previously mentioned Zellers does that and so does Sears. Sears has been reducing your Sears points when you return something ever since Sears Club began. Nothing wrong with that from this consumer's stand point. Posted by: Linda Richards | Aug 7, 08 10:21 PM