By macej

Reliance Home Comfort has terrible customer service on servicing a water heater that we rent from Reliance. First their appointment windows are 4 hour slots on weekdays, 5 hour slots on weekends. So, I made an appointment on a weekday and used a vacation day at work to take the day off. Technician didn’t show up!!!! Called Reliance to discuss and all they did was say “sorry”. Rescheduled appointment for a Saturday 5 hour time slot (8 am-1 pm) because I wasn’t willing to use another vacation day. Guess what? Technician NEVER SHOWED UP AGAIN and NO CALLS to explain. I called Reliance and was livid. They offered me a 5 hour slot on Sunday the next day?!?!? I was disgusted, why would I give up a whole weekend to wait around my house for someone who may not show up nor call. I asked the rep if she would give up her days off for no shows…she didn’t have much response for that. Customer rep actually had the nerve to tell me they were very busy because many customers have no hot water at all. I told her you have to question the quality of their equipment if they are swamped with non-working heaters (I think people just tell them that to get higher priority service). Told her I only have hot water because I restart my heater 2-3 times daily and “hope” the burner ignites. Again, all the rep could say was “sorry”. They couldn’t care less if they waste your time.

By hauck

I just tried to return a 100 pk of defective blank dvds back to Zellers because they were poor quality. today is one day past the return policy stated time limit and they would do nothing, not even an exchange for like product It only goes to show the junk they sell can’t even be returned to the supplier. When I asked to speak to the manager of the department, he too would not help me. the people at the customer service counter appeared to be smirking about my strife with the manager and I indicated to them that,”It’s not funny”

I am so done with this store and the sub-standard crap they sell. I’m not sorry to see them go. Sadly it the situation for the consumer will probably not change much and they will still continue to sell us inferior merchandise. It seem that with so many part-time staff in these big box stores have no sense of caring for the customer. I will be looking for smaller stores to shop in, where customer service is more than just words. People, check things over real good after you buy. Don’t just put it away for later use as I did. Had I been at the store one earlier I might have been helped.

Not only did Zellers lose me as a customer today, but they also lost me entire family but I guess now that Target is buying them their long time customers do not matter any more. Bye Bye Zellers, we won’t miss you!

By momof3b

I have been a smart canucks reader for a long time now but this is the first time I decided to join.

This morning ( Jan 2011) I pumped gas and paid for it with my credit card at Shell Canada on 1010 Jarry Ouest, corner L’acadie. The receipt did not come out of the pump so I went inside, said hi to the male cahier and told him in English I need a receipt for my pump purchase. He said in French, straight out I do not understand. He said do you speak French. I am perfectly bilingual but since he attitude was so crappy I said no. He said I do not understand. I said I need the paper receipt for the pump, he was angry now and said I do not understand and did not even try. What you think I am doing in the store after I pumped gas right in front of the window, I wondered. I felt as if I was on candid camera. I could not believe it, he was so rude. I saw someone in the back room and said it again loudly. The person in the back room came out and tried to smooth things over but in the meantime the cashier who refused to speak English was screaming and I mean screaming at me. I could not believe it! I said what is your name (In English) then he said I will not tell you my name (in French) and there it was, he understood everything I said!

He just refused to speak English. I can not believe Shell Canada would hire someone unilingual in an area which is known to have many immigrants who don’t know the language. Or any Shell station for that matter. Also, I get better service in English in the little French towns in Quebec.

I was shaking when I walked out because I could not believe it. I am appalled and will NEVER ever go back to that gas station, even if they sell gas at 5 cents a litre!

By Jay

I recently ordered something for the kitchen from newegg - yes… they sell kitchen stuff as well!

I ordered it on a holiday weekend. The next day (about 6 hours later actually) I decided to cancel the order as the unit wasn’t really what I wanted. Newegg’s online system had already changed the status to “SHIPPED” and debited my credit card.

Once an item is in SHIPPED status it cannot be canceled.

However, the item ISN’T ACTUALLY UNTIL A BUSINESS DAY. This is a pretty sleezy and deceptive practice in my opinion.

I sent customer service a note right away saying please cancel the order - since it really hadn’t shipped.

They didn’t bother answering the email until several days later at which point the unit had actually shipped. I suspect this was also deliberate so they would not have to cancel the order.

They did finally respond to my complaints and promised an RMA refund - I would have to pay for the item to be shipped back though myself (for $25!).

I shipped it back and they received the item a day after I received it. I and even sent them the tracking information.

Their customer service dept. is now playing further games and delay tactics saying they don’t have any record of having received it!!! %@$#

This is the first time I’ve had to deal with their customer service, and it is pathetic! This will be the last time I shop at NEWEGG!

Buyer beware!

By kathryn wentworth

I tried to cancel my primus long distance plan tonight. I have been on the phione continuously for 3 hours and still have not had any help. I managed to get help in the sales department within one minute and they refused to help me and put me back on the “hold”

This is shocking. I tried to cancel on line and they do not allow that option.

By Smorisso

Two months following the one year warranty expiry for our Kenmore 27″ wall oven, the oven door fell off and shattered. Thankfully, I was not holding my newborn at the time.

My husband and I called the 1-800-number and after countless hours and about four telephone calls, we had them agree to have a service technician confirm that this was a product default and not due to negligent use on our part. The technician confirmed that this was the fault of the product.

He mentioned we were to await a call from customer service for details on next steps. We waited for 6 days until we had to finally call them. When i called them, they mentioned that we were responsible to pay for the fixing the oven and they were not going pay for fixing the wall oven door. The price to fix the door was just about the same price as we paid for the entire oven!!!

Sears customer service has been the worst service i have ever received. I mentioned asked them if they were ok with losing a customer for life over this issue and they said yes, they were ok with it. The end customer service and satisfaction did not seem at all important!! We will never buy anything from Sears again.

By Kyla

Anyone remember about a year ago Aerie had this program where every month you get your card punched you get a freebie? They used to give away towels, drawstring bags, handcream, perfume, underwear and more. And on your birthday you would get a special gift. Before this promotion I hadn’t even heard about this store. Whenever I went to get my freebie I would shop there, they have very comfortable undergarments. However since all the promotions ended I do not shop there anymore. It was a good way to attract customers.

By Nice Sass

This saga commenced on Boxing Day when I ordered a watch from Peoples online, at a nice discount. This was a gift for a family member we’d be seeing post-Christmas. Overnight delivery was free and the return policy excellent, so we ordered.

Several days later, the package hadn’t arrived and was overdue; when we checked the online status it was revealed that it was “in warehouse” and hadn’t left. The website further revealed that we could call a toll-free number and cancel the order.

We purchased a new watch elsewhere to have it for that night’s gift exchange, and called Peoples to cancel. Wife called with order in husband’s name. Customer Service: “I can’t talk to you; it’s not in your name.” Wife: “the credit card is in both of our names but your online order system only lets us name one person. Husband is at work. I am CANCELLING not purchasing, therefore far less risk.” Customer Service: “Can’t do anything. Have husband call”. Wife: “Please just put a note on the file for the warehouse not to pick/pack this until husband can call tonight when home.” Customer Service: “No can do”.

Husband returns home at end of day, calls Peoples. Customer Service: “You’re now too late. We picked the order today and shipped it.” -groan-. Customer service: “No problem though…just refuse the order from the delivery courier and we’ll process the refund when we receive it back; or your other option is to return it to any store.”

Next day, we’re both working. Return home to find box containing expensive watch sitting on our front door step - not protected; not signed for. Delivery refusal now imposssible; proceed to step 2.

Attend Peoples to return the watch. Store Associate: “Sorry…can’t accept online order returns in-store.” Husband: “Why…we were told to do this by telephone CSR”. Associate: “I know. We have no idea why they say that and we continually send messages to Head Office to tell them to stop doing this, but Head Office won’t do anything. I encountered this issue just yesterday and had a customer in here for over an hour trying to return something but there’s nothing I can do.”

We return home, check Peoples online return policy. Right there, in black and white: “RETURN TO ANY STORE”.

Email People and request explanation; what are we to do now. Sent that email on Sunday. It is now Thursday - no response. Zero; zilch.

Our only recourse will be to file a dispute with the credit card company, and not sure how that will progress as we’re in receipt of the goods, but the problem is that the retailer doesn’t honour its own return policy, which apparently is an incorrect policy as the stores claim that they can’t adhere to it if they wanted.

Serious BUYER BEWARE.

By reviewer

I participated in the general mills book and magazine promotion and ordered the Olivia opens a lemonade stand book. However, due to a lack of a “do not bend” sticker, my book was folded at the binding and therefore broken and cracked (probably by Canada Post). When I called General Mills about it, I was told nothing could be done, and argh, I can’t even gift the book now, because of how damaged it is! I think General Mills promotions are just a rip off! I had a second code which I tried submitting but was told “try again later”, for which I just didn’t bother submitting after because it wasn’t that big a deal. I find with General Mills promotions, they either screw you over somehow by not having sizes, or books, or whatever!

Anyone else with a similar experience with General Mills promotions?

By Ariel

I was shopping at a Zellers in Toronto (Dundas west & Bloor street), and found that the store is poorly organized, the employees were all aggressive-looking (none of them wear name tags), and I found expired food items. I think Zellers should just stop selling food items, if they never sell. The inventory stock in this store is probably miscalculated, always overstocked, and lefted to expire. Like the chocolate bars near the cash had pictures of promotions that ended months ago (Cadbury find the key, ended in August!!! *milk separation puke*). Seriously, selling this kind of stuff for a few extra bucks is shameful for the Hudson Bay Company and disgrace for a Canadian retail store.

The thing that bugs me the most is the employees. There were so many employees, but none of them seemed to be doing anything, just walking around. They clearly over-hired employees and lefted them with minimum training.

I doubt they know anything about coupons. The only coupons in the store were many stacks of 50centsoff Nutella and the coupons were expired..big surprise. The overall atmosphere was depressing and unfriendly. The employees looked unhappy and only work there because they need a job.

(There is a major difference in store atmosphere when you enter the Loblaws next door of this Zellers. Really, immediately next door, the Loblaws store feels so much better, cleaner, roomier, and happier employees.)

I didn’t really have a chance to see clearly but I believe the shelves are old and paint weared metal, the ceilings old drywood paneling that turned gray, and don’t think they wash or waxed the floors recently.

I went in to see the “Midnight Madness” promotion, but couldn’t find the computer desk and chair that was on sale (for about $30). I asked an employee, but they said “they were out of stock” which was a total lie. Because I went the next day and found the desk for double the price (more than $60). There were people in the store, but strangely much more people were returning items at the customer service. Like more than 30 people were waiting in line to return things. Many of them were yelling, but the employees had worse behaviours and were giving back attitude. This shouldn’t be appropriate under any circumstance. Well, still it’s disgusting that they sell so much returned and pre-used items for a regular price.

The store manager obviously doesn’t care about this store and the standards are set to just “exceptional”.

By irish

Store mislead by specifing a product that was on sale, when I went to purchase they told me that wasn’nt the product on sale. I stated to show me the product to which the assistant manager showed me a completley different product. When asked if she was the manager she stated yes. After approx 10 minutes of talking about the 7 tags that represented the product I originally had she stated she would contact the store manager. I stated you told me you were the store manager. This is another misrepresentation of Canadian tires part with assistant mangers that lie. She then contacted the little trogladite who was the store manager. When I brought up the issue of the product on sale in question being a reasonable customer who read the sale tag he stated that it was a misprint and it was not the actual product on sale. I laughed and stated he should take the 7 tags down and print them properly. Well he must have little man syndrome because he stated we will not! I stated you are then misrepresenting us as customers to a product that is not even on sale, furthermore I stated if I was to go and get any customer in the store they would also pick the item described in on the sale tag. The “manager Gord” stated that I was the 4th customer today to which I scarached my head and said well doesn’t that show you. I asked him to let me purchase the item at cost of sale price to which he said I can’t and won’t while the “assistant female manager began to laugh. I am so dissapointed as a loyal canadian tire shopper that this will discourage me from shopping there in the future. Customer service from the manager and lying assitant manager has gone downhill and I can only imagine the poor staff and angst they must feel working for two idots like these! I would have been fine if they noted the misprint and took it down to fix but not being the first customer to notice this and the mangers having attiude?? Good luck to this stores future treating people like this when walmarts around the block!

By Robert Chisholm

I went into Canadain tire at Dundas and Trafalger road in Oakville). to see if Canadian tire sold cb stuff.Ron was no help I had to ask him to chexk other stores.He Said maybe 403 and Dundas store might have it. So i drove over to that store at 5.30 pm on sunday to check it out I ask the guy at automotive counter were I could find cb and antenna’s. his answer was in the cage over there ? I ask him were He said over there? I told this guy he great customer service i would like is help to show me were cb radio s are.I waiting for 15 minutes then left. this employee was a total jerk. I will will will never shop at Canadain tire Again I had to many bad expreince with your staff members, you have lost a lot off sales from customers. I talk to people they rather go to parts source or walmart. and pay the price for good service.try shopping at a store your employees piss off a lot people. you should trying doing that show Under cover boss.. I bet you $200.00 your employess would piss you off and you would fire them

sincerly Bob

Never shopping at Canadain tire Again I can buy else were

By Duncan

So my husband have all of our accounts and mortgage with RBC. We decided to take advantage of the “skip-a-payment” option of our mortgage in Nov when my husband got laid off. We got the confirmation letter saying it was approved so we used the mortgage money to pay all the bills, etc. Imagine our surprise when the mortgage payment was taken and put us in overdraft & bounced some auto payments…to make a long story short RBC said the approval was a mistake and there was nothing they could/would do to fix it. After hours of arguing & lots of tears I had to cash in my RRSPs to pay the overdraft. RBC said we would be approved to the skip in Dec and to apply again.

So Dec 1st I apply again & we get approved, have the letter to prove it. I called just before Christmas to confirm it again and was told everyting was fine and not to worry. I even called back Dec 30th to confirm it again was told the same thing…..well I check the bank today and they took the payment again and put us in overdraft. Once again I call customer service and after almost 40 mins I was told everyone I spoke to screwed up and it’s my fault it was declined because of the debt ratio and that I should consider making more payments to bring it down. The agent told me I should try to borrow the money from family or friends to bring the account to good standing and if I can’t do that then I should consider taking a payday advance.

I don’t understand how they can get away with this and take no responsibilty for this. I don’t have any more investments to pull my money from to fix their mistake. I am so frustrated. When our mortgage is up for renewal we will be taking it elsewhere.

By Sally

Basically my whole story pretty much begins here http://smartcanucks.ca/archambaultca-psp-go-only-9999-retail-of-19999-hot/

I posted a great deal from Archambault.ca even asked around and did some research before I posted the deal I found on the Sc forum to make sure they were a legit company. Basically they were compared to a large HMV of Quebec. Anyways I personally ordered the deal they had, a PSP (Playstion Portable) for $99.99! What a great deal, it was on for $149.99 at the same time at Amazon.ca. I placed my order, they charged my card took my paypal balance and sent me an order confirmation. 24 hours later out of the blue they send me a cancellation notice stating that they didn’t have stock and wouldnt be getting any. (Which is  illegal to offer a product under Canadian law that you know you will not be able to get stock in nothing was stated limited stock etc) Anyways I was pretty upset as so many of us Sc’ers had taken advantage of the deal so I wrote to them. Guess what? I haven’t heard back, they have completely ignored any request of communication from them. Seems it’s a similar story from anyone else who has tried to contact them, even via telephone you are given the run around then transferred to a french message and most of us are english speaking. I am less then impressed with the lack of customer service and ignorance I have received from this company. I will never blog about this sham of a store again. Has anyone had any luck getting some real answers from them?

By Mari

I bought a mattress from sears brentwood about 5 yrs back

It was on of these you don’t turn over pillow top not one of these huge pillow tops.

Anyways after 3 yrs a bump developed in the middle of this king size mattress

So we found our bill called sears they sent some guy out who measured the mattress he said if the bump was 1/2 inch more we would be under warrenty. my husband and I vowed never to buy a mattress from sears canada again this mattress and boxspring was about 1300.00 dollars alot of money and it was my idea to deal with sears as I thought they were an honest company.

Now its been 6 yrs. and we are going to buy a new mattress and box spring cause its so uncomfortable, this time we’ll buy from costco.