CT rant - Customers being ripped off on the PST

[kerrylj]

I went in to get some boots that are on this week for $29.99. I took them to the cash and paid for them. I looked at the reciept and they had charged me PST and GST on them so I head over to the CS desk. After explaining to the clerk that I was charged the PST incorrectly she gives me some story about how it is done right because the computer does it. I know that this is wrong because I had had this issue a number of times at CT. It seems that their computer is programmed that it will charge both taxes on any footwear that has an original price of more than $30 and that doesn't change even when they have a sale.

So after 20 minutes while she makes all kinds of call and finally figures out that I am correct I get my refund.

I needed another pair so I head off to another store to get the bigger pair there. So I get to the cash and explain the cashier that the system is ringing in the boots wrong. So she can't do anything and sends me to CS. At this store I get all kinds of attitude and I am told that I have to go home and call their head office myself and let them handle it. I say that I will stand right here while she calls head office and gets this done right. So she called head office.

Apparently head office knows that they are ripping off customers like this and have done nothing to inform anyone at the store level to correct it.

The one store had literally 4 shelfs totally empty. All of them sold overcharging the customers unless they know the rules and got it corrected. Who knows how many customers at how many stores got charged wrong. That is just one of the items that they have had on a sale like this. I know I have had this happen at CT in the past as well so it is not a new problem.

Heck in the flyer starting tomorrow there are more boots and I bet they all will be charged wrong and rip off each of the customers who are unaware.



I hope that tomorrow I have make some time and see if I can file a complaint with the government who administers the tax because from what I can tell this is the head office making the mistake and since it has happened to me last year they are unlikely to make a change unless forced to.

[sampler]

so pst shouldnt be chrgd ? what exactly is the rule?

[Lynnie]

Lol...CT= Canadian Tire? O.o

[trucks12trucks]

so pst shouldnt be chrgd ? what exactly is the rule?

from http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/guides/rst/508.html
RST Guide also known as PST
Exempt Footwear

Footwear costing $30 or less is exempt to everyone regardless of size, including:

• ballet slippers
• boots, overshoes, rubbers and galoshes
• ski boots and boots with skates attached
• sneakers and sport shoes.

Rental of footwear for $30 or less is also exempt.
Orthopaedic footwear qualifies for exemption no matter what the selling price. Orthopaedic footwear includes custom-made or corrective footwear that may be purchased off the shelf and adapted under the prescription of a physician.
Since the federal government allows vendors the option of using <ACRONYM title="Goods and Services Tax">GST</ACRONYM>-included pricing when billing customers, <ACRONYM title="Retail Sales Tax">RST</ACRONYM> will not apply unless the <ACRONYM title="Goods and Services Tax">GST</ACRONYM>-included price for footwear is more than $31.50 ($30.00 + 5 per cent <ACRONYM title="Goods and Services Tax">GST</ACRONYM>).

[madeinczech]

Really awful.

Good thing I don't shop at CT much. When I do, it's when I'm able and want the items that are on sale.. BAD!!

[courtreporter]

Wow, I am embarassed to say I was totally clueless regarding this.
Thanks for posting this

[kerrylj]

Shoes etc under $30 should only have GST.

http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com...aspx?e=2176824

HST FACTS
Items where eight per cent will be added as part of the Harmonized Sales Tax:

Adult footwear under $30

Currently they only have GST. That will change when they add the HST but CT has been charging (and likely not paying to the government ) PST for footwear that is under $30. For each customer it is likely a fairly small amount (up to about $2.40 on each pair) but they are being ripped off because they assume that CT is doing it correctly or don't want to fight it for such a small amount.

[kerrylj]

Just think about how many people have been ripped off weekly. Heck even just this week on that one sale item across the province.

The part that really gets me is that their head office knows they are doing it and yet they have done nothing to correct it or inform the store so they can correct on the items as they happen. That to me is unacceptable.

[scobee]

thanks to your input here, i just learnt something new!

[SmackUTwice]

Wow.

Makes ME want to contact head office and tell them how I heard about this experience and how unfathomable it is... HELLO!!!!!

And I don't even pay PST!!!!

[Sally888]

from http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/guides/rst/508.html
RST Guide also known as PST
Exempt Footwear

Footwear costing $30 or less is exempt to everyone regardless of size, including:

• ballet slippers
• boots, overshoes, rubbers and galoshes
• ski boots and boots with skates attached
• sneakers and sport shoes.

Rental of footwear for $30 or less is also exempt.
Orthopaedic footwear qualifies for exemption no matter what the selling price. Orthopaedic footwear includes custom-made or corrective footwear that may be purchased off the shelf and adapted under the prescription of a physician.
Since the federal government allows vendors the option of using <ACRONYM title="Goods and Services Tax">GST</ACRONYM>-included pricing when billing customers, <ACRONYM title="Retail Sales Tax">RST</ACRONYM> will not apply unless the <ACRONYM title="Goods and Services Tax">GST</ACRONYM>-included price for footwear is more than $31.50 ($30.00 + 5 per cent <ACRONYM title="Goods and Services Tax">GST</ACRONYM>).

yep you beat me to it. Call head office and keep complaining, even the girls at the dollar store know what to charge pst on
But it doesnt really surprise me that its Canadian tire doing this

[loneranger]

Each province is different regarding taxable and non-taxable items.
I have recently printed out a copy for myself and am surprised at what's on the list! Everyone should do this to prevent anymore rip-offs, esp from large stores like CT. Thanks OPfor bringing this to our attention !

[Justine]

Shoes don't have pst?

[SmackUTwice]

Shoes don't have pst?

IF they are under $30! Read the link given in a couple posts... great info!!

[EnjoySavings]

Wow, I wasn't aware of this rule either.

Hmmmm, so it this is illegal and you've been involved in this situation since last year, I wonder if a law suit can be made against CT??? Interesting since maybe thousands of people getting ripped off for such a long time not to mention the govt getting ripped off!! Love to hear the outcome of this one!