Store Owner Wins Rebate

Tuesday, 1 April 2014 at 13:25

Ritu's Convenience & Food Mart Owner Bob Pate (pictured) says his store will get a rebate after seeing discounts which varied anywhere from $2.00 to $10.00 per carton for other stores.

Sweaburg store owner argued Imperial Tobacco was giving out discounts on cigarettes to larger chain convenience stores.

SWEABURG -- A convenience store owner in Sweaburg who took Imperial Tobacco to task over what he called "unfair" prices offered to larger chain merchants has reached an agreement with the cigarette company to supply his store with a rebate.

Bob Pate, owner of Ritu's Convenience & Food Mart located at 484750 Sweaburg Road says his own profit on a package of cigarettes in February was just 20 cents. Now, he's able to offer more competitive prices on Imperial Tobacco's line after complaining to the company.

"They were giving big rebates to some stores which they selected and it was hurting my business and lots of small business owners. They talked to me several times, then they decided they understood the whole thing, and then they decided okay -- and gave my store the whole rebate, they're also giving other stores the rebates too."

Pate says he didn't let the issue slide, added that going to the community to explain his side helped him recover the rebate on the cost of cigarettes at his store.

In an email to the Heart FM newsroom dated March 31st, Pate described starting his fight on February 13th when he contacted media first, hoping to explain to them the whole situation and the impact on his business.

After his interview was published and aired by Heart FM, Pate continued his push by sending letters to the Premier's office, in addition to his local MP and MPP member offices. He also wrote to Marie Polet, President and Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Tobacco Canada before finally receiving notice that Ritu's Convenience & Food Mart would receive rebates like other chain stores.

Pate says he's not endorsing cigarettes, but the customer who comes in to buy them -- adding they buy other things at his store when they stop in -- like lottery tickets, milk or candy. He says those customers would go elsewhere if he continued to offer the same price on some items.

"My cigarette profit margins are so little, like twenty cents per pack. My message to the entire community is fight for your rights, if you think something clearly is not right -- then fight for it. Don't stop fighting till you got your positive desired appropriate result."

When Pate contacted Heart FM in February, he claimed Imperial Tobacco was giving out discounts on cigarettes to larger convenience stores -- discounts which varied anywhere from $2.00 to $10.00 per carton.

Pate adds the move by Imperial Tobacco is not only a win for his business in Sweaburg, but a win on behalf of all small business.