Move over Canadian Tire paper money, there’s a new card in town. Yes, after 51 years Canadian Tire has decided to add to their loyalty program by providing consumers with a little plastic. The paper money will not be replaced, but it certainly will be challenged by its more durable counterpart. The new Canadian Tire “Money” Advantage Card offers 1% back (one point per dollar) and the paper money only offers 0.4% back. Hmmm.…this may sway even the most die-hard paper money fan.
But let’s not forget the raw emotion attached to the paper money. Heck, some people may even consider it a Canadian symbol along with the beaver or maple leaf. And it might as well be Canada’s second currency. I have gone to more than a few garage sales where Canadian Tire money was accepted. Yes, it will be hard to tear some people away from a long standing and highly successful loyalty program.
However, times are changing. Canadian Tire is hoping the new rewards card will provide consumers with a more modern and convenient way to save money on future purchases. The pilot program for the Money Advantage Card started on February 24 at 21 locations in Nova Scotia. It is promised to roll out across Canada “once the company determines its business objectives have been met.”
So, paper or plastic? Will you continue to use the tried and true paper money or switch to the sleek, modern card with more perks?
Will this be the end of Sandy McTire ? On a personal note, I will miss the iconic everyman of working class Canada. I sincerely hope Canadian Tire creates a new icon for the Money Advantage card. I would hate to think that old Sandy will be replaced by a piece of patio furniture (as shown above)!
I would def. prefer a card. It would take up less space in my already overstuffed wallet, and I always forget to bring the paper money with me anyway, so this would be much more convenient.
The card is definitely a step up. Perhaps I’ll just hold onto the money I currently have as a memento of Canadian Culture. Only thing I don’t like about cards like this is that you have to call or go online to find out your balance, whereas with the paper money, you can just count it.
Plus, some other companies even accept the paper money (some taxis for example)
will be a lot more convenient to use.
totally will prefer the card. Maybe they should put sandy métier on the front of the card for old time’s sake.
I think a card is a great addition to the paper money. In my small town the Canadian Tire money is actually accepted at my local convenience store, which makes it easier for under-privileged families to get things they need.
Some more throw-away plastic for our World vs biodegradable paper money? Saves on trees, but which is worse, if you drag your head out of “convenience” mode? I kinda like Sandy O’Tire.
Would be fantastic if they would make this available to all of Canada instead of just Nova Scotia
I’ve been saying for years they should switch to a card — it’s hard to pay for something with the tiny increments of paper money you accumulate — I always felt like I was paying for a $20 item with dimes…
I’d prefer the card… I have a tale of woe involving 40.00 in Canadian Tire money and some sticky-fingered car thieves. In retrospect, I shouldn’t have kept it in the glove box, but I missed the 40.00 in CT money more than I missed the off-brand, always-wrong GPS they also stole (to which I say “good riddance!”)
As long as you can transfer it to others I’m in. Our childrens school asks for Canadian Tire money at christmas to do the christmas baskets for the less fortunate in the school community. It would be sad if they lost this income as it makes up almost 75% of what they use.
Definitely the card.
I hate all the dirty looks I get from other customers as the cashier wrongly counts out my Canadian Tire money for the second time. It gets to the point where I just give up and take the loss because people in line start to heckle me and the stupid cashiers won’t open up another till.
Life is full of changes… I too feel there is sentimental ties to the paper money, it’s a Canadian tradition, what we have always known, but I am looking forward to the new card! Thanks for posting.
I’ve been saying that they should change to a card for years so I can’t wait! The $1/$2 bills weren’t too bad but counting out a stack of $0.05 bills at the till especially when it’s busy is ridiculous. I think they were just hoping people would lose the bills or just not bother using them.
I think the card is a good idea for counting purposes and storage of the paper bills, but it will be sad to see the tradition of the paper money gone. ALSO, I am quite upset because I managed to save and gather lots of Canadian Tire money for my stag and doe next year as a prize giveaway! Who will want the inferior old paper money when they have cards now?! URGH
You will be tracked with the card.
People should be aware of what their “business objectives” are. Reading this article will give you a pretty good idea:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/magazine/shopping-habits.html
i think its good . Now hope we can transfer points like sdm. We can still use paper money till its gone . Pioneer still takes paper money even though they have plastic cards .
I hope that they make a way that you can donate your money back to CT children’s jump start program. I collect CT money but I often have just dropped it into the Jump start program barrel on my way out as well. As someone mentioned earlier, there are often other organizations or charities that accept CT money and I would hate for them to lose out on the card.
JT — good article
I remember a bunch of us kids compiling our parents and neighbours Canadian Tire money. We would run screaming with no shoes on after the ice cream truck because they would take our Canadian Tire money
I guess its progress having the card and nice your keeping the paper for people who prefer it. When I saw you were keeping the paper I was happy, but then I saw there is only extra savings with the card. If your going to favour the card and have the “paper” customer lose out on savings, then you will lose a customer with me.
I would love to have the card. I keep forgetting to bring my CT money with me.
I remember when Canadian Tire used to give 3% back for cash sales in Cdn Tire money. The rationale(for me) was that any credit card purchase was subject to at least a 3% bank processing fee, so why not pass the savings on to the cash customer? Now, at .04%(?) it’s hardly worth the effort.
Which does get me to a rant about cash vs credit card vs debit card purchases.Smaller stores and take outs often charge a small fee (.25 — .50) on debit card purchases. Credit card agreements preclude charging a similar fee for CC purchases, and cash is cash. So, one could argue that in fact debit card purchase “service” charges are used to defray the costs of credit cards.
Fair?
I always drop my CT money into the donation box beside the till. With this option of the card, I cannot do that.
As I recall, CTC had a Canadian Tire money card (it was red) many years ago and then swithced everyone to a Canadian Tire Master Card. I’ve been using that Master Card ever since and prefer it to the paper money.
I prefer the paper money, just for sentiments.
I like the idea of the card because now Cnd tire dollars are earned on all purchases paid by cash or credit.
Therefore I can use my credit card and get points and get Cnd Tire money at the same time.
wow… our volunteer fire dept. collects CT money for things for our Fire Hall. We have donation jars all over town. We won’t be able to do that any longer.
Like the idea of a rewards card. Much more convenient than carrying all that paper money.
Times are changing I guess, Canadian Tire Money was part of my Dowery at my wedding as a joke from my brothers. Still have that money!!
I am disappointed, my family would save all our CT money and take to collection day at Canadian Tire at Christmas for the needy. In these tough times, I hope canadian tire will be increasing there neighbourhood donations!
I think this will hinder many charities. May seek Cdn tire money for donations. It is so easy for someone to pop a few small cdn tire bills in but giving up that plastic card prob won’t happen.
I gave up on CTC money more than a decade ago becuse it was worth so little per dollar purchased. Usually just give the few cents that I get to whatever charity wants them when I have some in my wallet. You can get a lot better reward deals on other cards.
I won’t be able to collect my Cdn Tire $$$ and give it to my best friend anymore.
as I don’t supposed the savings will be transferable to other cards.
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