Canadian Tire

One of two Canadian Tires I visit regularly!
This one is to say monstrous, if my little CT in Tantallon (close to home) is lacking in something my ever tool loving heart needs for my next home reno, then this one fits the bill. (being close to work)
Not many stores can boast that they have a full size store inside (Mark’s has a home here).
I find it laid out wonderfully, at least for us regulars, i know exactly where to go to get exactly what i need.
The staff, is typical for CT, students who may or may not know where things are, but will try there best, and the full timers who do know where most things are or at least know which person will be able to locate what YOU are looking for. (since I know where everything is)
I could spend all kinds of money in any CT, but the wife wouldn’t approve.

Let me start by saying: I’m a girl, and Canadian Tire is only fun for so long.
Sure there are some things in there that appeal to us ladies but in general these types of stores are not really my thing.
This place is huge. Enormous. Its a vast, sprawling vortex of things and stuff. When you go in make sure you’re armed with snacks, a beverage and a flare gun, just in case you get lost. They’ve got all the typical Canadian Tire stuff, just in larger quantities. They’ve even got a full Marks Work Wearhouse in the middle of the place (for what its worth, the customer service at this particular Marks is lacking… thats another post for another time).
Now, the real reason I was there: to have my car looked at in their service department: apparently when the check engine light comes on you’re supposed to look in to these issues. Who knew? All I wanted was to have the car scanned to see what was wrong with it before I made any decisions on repairs. I wasn’t prepared to actually have the work done today anyway, this was purely diagnostic/​informational.
I drop the car off, ask how long it’ll be. I’m told 45mins. So I go off to roam the plains otherwise known as Canadian Tire.
After roaming for a bit and deciding this really isn’t that much fun I realize it has been 45mins. I return to the desk and surprisingly my car is done. Yes, on time! I know, that almost never happens.
I again explained I wasn’t prepared to have actual work done to it, this was purely a visit to find out what was wrong with my car. The guys there were super nice, explained things to me so I understood what was what, and were fine when I told them wouldn’t be getting any work done today. No pressure, no fuss no muss.
While I can’t speak for the «regular» CT staff, the guys I dealt with in the service department were spot-​on!

Like most people, I have a love/​hate relationship with Canadian Tire, this store especially. I love that this store is large and has a wide variety of items, is close to my work and has a Mark’s Work Wearhouse inside. I love that you can get some really great deals if you pay attention to the flyers.
I hate that it’s large, because if I get to the cash and realize I forgot something, it is usually at the far opposite end of the store and a half day hike away. Probably don’t have to say it but, the customer service sucks. Have found clerks huddled together in the back corner doing their best to avoid customer interaction. Once gaffled on to a young fellow to ask him if something was in stock and he left to «check the computer», after waiting several minutes I went looking for him to find him «helping» another customer, he confessed he was new and didn’t know how to «check the computer». Have lost count of the times I’ve gone to customer service and been told «The computer says we have several in stock» but no one can ever find even one.
So if you go here to browse for a bargain, you’re good. If you’re looking for something specific, be prepared to «serve yourself» and possibly leave in frustration.

Like any other Canadian Tire… but bigger. So if bigger is better in your books, then you best get your big box loving butt over to Dartmouth Crossing. I’m seriously –they’ve managed to fit a whole Mark’s Work Wearhouse in there. It’s insane.
Finding help in this store means tapping into your inner animal. Unless you are prepared to stalk the wild Canadian Tire jungle looking to separate the weak gazelle from its herd, you may be left wandering without assistance. But, if you can bide your time as they gather, cut one off with a quick aisle dart, and maintain a solid block between them and their cohorts, you may just get someone who can point you in the right direction. Or then again, they may just shrug and go back to texting.
So why do I come here? Mostly for the discounted brand name kitchen appliances. Okay, that’s not even true. I come here about once a year to replace our coffee maker. From Black & Decker to Cuisinart, we get fancy drip machines for never more than $ 60 – 80, use the hell out of it, eventually wait for it to become subpar, then replace that with one of the fresher models.
Sure, it’s safe to assume we’re not getting the product quality we want given the one year lifespan, but hey — they come cheap so who cares? Besides, one look at me in the mornings when the machine breaks and you’ll understand just why the rush to Canadian Tire is one hundred percent necessary.

Here’s what you can expect:
* lots (and lots and lots) of products
* a wide variety of products (Not just stuff for your car!)
* good prices on most items
* specials galore
* fairly well organized floor plan
* not much help from members of the staff on the floor
* specific items to move or disappear since the last time you were there
* that there will only be one cashier but someone will encourage you to use the self check-​out
If you know what you’re looking for, you’ll be in and out quickly enough (unless it’s moved). If you need help, you should probably check in with Customer Service right away.

I don’t ever expect much when I go into Canadian Tire. They’re understaffed so it’s difficult to find someone to help you find anything. A good thing about this store is that they generally keep it clean.

This is one of the larger Crappy errr Canadian Tire stores I’ve been in. There is even a Marks Work Wearhouse in it!
The store is typical of any of the franchise stores, understaffed, stuffed full of goodies that are a little challenging to find unless you know right were to look. This one had quite a large automotive department with tons of vehicle gadgets if you’re into that sort of thing.
The self check-​out are pretty efficient, good if your completely against any human interaction for your shopping experience. Personally I prefer the cute cashier to a press screen monitor.

Why is it at you can never find anyone to help you in a store this size. This is twice now that I have been to this location and could not find anyone to help me. When I did manage to locate someone I would find about 4 or 5 young kids huddled in an isle talking, meanwhile I am going nuts trying to find something.
This is a very LARGE store that is nicely laid out and very clean but I must say the service if far from great. Maybe being bigger is not always better in this case!

Just because something is newer certainly doesn’t mean it’s better. With the development of Dartmouth Crossing a few year’s ago, a new Canadian Tire was put up to replace the existing one on Tacoma Drive in Dartmouth. This newer Canadian Tire is quite large in size — making it very easy to get lost in the over-​sized facility.
I’ve been there on several occasions and I can honestly say this store fairs very poorly with regards to customer service. There was an incident where I once had to interrupt three teen-​aged staff workers from their social gathering to ask for help, and even then was provided with very poor assistance. There was another incident when I brought home a set of indoor Christmas lights that didn’t work and when I returned to get a working set, I didn’t realize until I was home, that the staff member had given me a set of Outdoor lights. These are just a few of many of my very bad experiences there.
Moral of the story: While there selection may be great at this store, their level of customer service leaves a great deal to be desired.

Canadian Tire has, since early this year, been advertising a treadmill for $ 399. Thought I might get one — turns out there are none available in any store in Halifax/​Dartmouth/​Bedford. All they had in stock were much more expensive machines. Bait & Switch???

Canadian Tire is HUGE! One would initially think that Canadian Tire was only a large auto parts and supply store that sells tires. Canadian Tire offers plenty of one stop shopping under one roof and also offers tools, hardware, key cutting, paint, yard equipment, home & garden section, toys, decorations, sporting goods, hunting, fishing, camping, electronics, lighting, plumbing, kitchen & bath, propane tank filling, seasonal department (holiday décor, Xmas trees), and more.
This location at Dartmouth Crossing also has a Mark’s Work Warehouse in the back of the store. The regular prices at Mark’s are on the high side.
We spent a good hour here checking out the decent selection of hockey gear, bikes, and power tools. The sale prices at Canadian Tire are pretty good with several half price deals offered including Dirt Devil vacuums for $ 50 and an electric pressure washer on sale for $ 125. Plenty of impulse buys throughout the store including light bulbs, electrical cords, tape rolls, snacks, pop, and more.