apparently CIBC is trying to cut costs

well, you know, it's not like banks are making a profit or anything. they need to cut costs however possible, right?

**UPDATE**

to my non-canadian readers... (as requested in the comments)

canadian tire is a hardware store type of place that has a wide variety of products. they also do vehicle servicing (although they generally do it quite poorly) and sell gas. it used to be that all the best terrible customer service stories came from a canadian tire experience, although they seem to be getting better. having said that, i just saw a stand up comic on CBC the other night dissing their service, so maybe they're reputation continues.

every time you make a purchase at canadian tire they give you back 'canadian tire money', (some precentage of the amount of money you've spent i assume) which rumour says is printed by the royal canadian mint and is the same paper and process, but really, who knows. anyway, it's just a customer loyalty incentive. you can spend canadian tire money just like normal money at the store, and there are lots of places that will take it at par on certain nights and stuff. like, restaurants may accept it at par on a tuesday for instance. or, fantasia dealers (another canadian thing, think tupperware parties only with sex toys) sometimes take it at par.

many canadians have wild amounts of canadian tire money stashed away. john's brother and sister-in-law bought a breadmaker with their canadian tire money a little while ago. john and i have a big tin on the top of the fridge and we spend it every now and again.

and that is the story of canadian tire money.