Canadian Tire 'Money'

 

Since it's Canada Day here (our equivalent to Independence Day for you American readers), I thought I'd introduce you to our, well, what the title says. (It IS a holiday you know, so I'm not gonna do TOO much work in this post, snort.) Now if you're a Canadian reader you already know exactly what I'm talking about, and you probably either love the stuff, hate it, or just roll your eyes. For non-Canadian readers, you can see what it is here and here. Personally, I tend to think of it as kinda being like Monopoly money, although that's maybe not fair as you can use it in Canadian Tire stores as legal tender. What made me laugh though is recently seeing that there's an actual category on eBay.ca for it: Coins & Paper Money > Paper Money: Canada > Canadian Tire Money. Currently there are 57 items listed.

Only in Canada, eh?

Comments

[Krissa]

Very interesting! Almost more interesting still is that foreigners apparently take such an interest in it that it is a collectible. I like the Wikipedia link best of the two. And found this part very interesting: "Canadian Tire's return policy states you must return the issued CTM along with your returned product. If not the store will deduct the amount off your bill. The CTM is considered to be a coupon and not redeemable for cash, yet on returns patrons are charged for the money in real Canadian dollars". Now is it me or does that just not seem right?

[think outside the piggy bank]

It ISN'T right, and it's a real bone of contention among Canadian Tire shoppers. I actually don't shop there too often, and my purchases are usually so low that I only get a 5 or 10 cent coupon, which often just ends up in the garbage. I know! Me, throwing coupons away, snort. ;)

[Krissa]

A ha! You can sell those coupons on Ebay! A collector might pay enough to make it worth it.

[think outside the piggy bank]

You're right! And I should have thought of that. :)