MEC/Bear Spray bigger than the gun registry...

[quad_hopper]

Has this happened to anyone else at MEC?

Yesterday, I went into MEC at lunch to pick up some bear spray. This is when the fun started... the little guy behind the counter asked me what I needed it for and handed me a clip board. I said for protection against animals, lol, what else would it be for?!? I looked at the sheet on the clip board and asked what this was for when he asked me to fill out all my information. I asked why and he said it was the law and that they can't sell it to me otherwise. I said, pardon, I have bought bear spray a few times at various locations and have never had to fill anything out before. He then wrote down the serial number on the bottom of the can and said that if the bear spray was used in a crime, it can come back to me. This peaked my interest and had to ask, "are you telling me that the contents of this can are associated with that serial number on the can?", he replied with, "yes". I lost it laughing. For one, no!! For two, the s/n is on a sticker, which of course, is clearly too impossible to remove...LOL I finish with the guy who puts the bear spray in a special bag and he locks it shut for me to carry to the cashier. I'm quizzing the guy with additional questions clearly ridiculing the whole process as I asked him if he has to register the paperwork I just filled out with anyone. He tells me no and that the paper is filed in a box in the back of the store where I get another chuckle. I proceed to the cashier, she asks for my membership number which I give her and she asks me for my ID. Again, I say, "pardon?". She had to identify that it was me using the membership to buy the bear spray otherwise she couldn't sell it to me. I laughed and said, okay, clearly entertained by the process.

Has anyone else had this experience? Have I just lucked out at every other location where I have bought bear spray and didn't have to give a pile of info?

I enjoyed the process, I was quite entertained. However, not going there again for that.

[Redfrog]

Originally Posted by quad_hopper

Has this happened to anyone else at MEC?

Yesterday, I went into MEC at lunch to pick up some bear spray. This is when the fun started... the little guy behind the counter asked me what I needed it for and handed me a clip board. I said for protection against animals, lol, what else would it be for?!? I looked at the sheet on the clip board and asked what this was for when he asked me to fill out all my information. I asked why and he said it was the law and that they can't sell it to me otherwise. I said, pardon, I have bought bear spray a few times at various locations and have never had to fill anything out before. He then wrote down the serial number on the bottom of the can and said that if the bear spray was used in a crime, it can come back to me. This peaked my interest and had to ask, "are you telling me that the contents of this can are associated with that serial number on the can?", he replied with, "yes". I lost it laughing. For one, no!! For two, the s/n is on a sticker, which of course, is clearly too impossible to remove...LOL I finish with the guy who puts the bear spray in a special bag and he locks it shut for me to carry to the cashier. I'm quizzing the guy with additional questions clearly ridiculing the whole process as I asked him if he has to register the paperwork I just filled out with anyone. He tells me no and that the paper is filed in a box in the back of the store where I get another chuckle. I proceed to the cashier, she asks for my membership number which I give her and she asks me for my ID. Again, I say, "pardon?". She had to identify that it was me using the membership to buy the bear spray otherwise she couldn't sell it to me. I laughed and said, okay, clearly entertained by the process.

Has anyone else had this experience? Have I just lucked out at every other location where I have bought bear spray and didn't have to give a pile of info?

I enjoyed the process, I was quite entertained. However, not going there again for that.

Amazing!!! And we have thread running for several pages about getting fingerpainted for a security clearance.


OMG!!! I may be a person of interest.

Next they will be frisking Dora and her backpack.

[Matt L.]

That is so sad and so funny at the same time! Not sure what I want to do more, laugh my arse off or go bang my head against the wall. Maybe I'll go do both.

[silverdoctor]

Should have told them to shove their store policy where the sun don't shine, there's no regulations that i've ever found that regulate and require ID for buying bear spray. Isn't it required in some parks now?

Manitoba has it controlled under the pesticide act, requirements are in place before you can buy it...

https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/cr.../faa24s02a.pdf

[Sushi]

Yes, I had the exact same thing happen. They gave me a blank look when I said it was ridiculous and that I didn't need to do that to buy ammo. I also looked up the pest control act referred to as justification for them collecting personal info....as expected, there is nothing in the act requiring such invasion of privacy.

[TreeGuy]

And the slope just gets slipperier.......

"Enjoy the decline." -Rugatikia

[SBE2]

I had to fill out the same info when buying it from Canadian Tire, not sure the purpose it serves, pretty sure most can figure out how to take a sticker off if that is what is linking them to the "deadly weapon" At least they didn't put it in a security bag at Cantire and insult peoples intelligence even further.

[nick0danger]

wholesale sports made me do it to, and i said i hope you do send the cops to my house, my lawyer would have a field day, likely both could retire from that case. That said by it a the fishing hole no questions asked.

[stuckincity]

Originally Posted by Matt L.

That is so sad and so funny at the same time! Not sure what I want to do more, laugh my arse off or go bang my head against the wall. Maybe I'll go do both.

I better go and register my Bug-Be-Gone Wasp Spray and EasyOff oven cleaner. Not to mention cheap hair spray.
They do as good a job as any bear spray - in certain "situations".

[HunterDave]

I don't do MEC.

[SBE2]

Originally Posted by hunterdave

i don't do mec.

x100

[CaberTosser]

Yet you can go fill up your basket in their knife department, feast yourself from their ice axe selection or get enough rope to tie up every cheerleader in the NFL without so much as an Inspector Gadget fan club membership card!

[fishtank]

MEC been doing that for @ least 3 year , i remember have to go thru all the hassle and need my id and drivers license when i want to buy one for camping.

[brslk]

The wife and I were coming back from Yellowstone this past summer and at the Canadian border the guard asked the standard questions then asked if I had any bear spray with me. I replied that yes, I did.

He took it and told me it was illegal in Canada and asked where I bought it.
I told him I bought it at campers village in Edmonton.

He didn't believe me.

I had to sign a paper saying that it was ok for them to take it from me.

I wasn't gonna argue. I hate crossing the border as it is.

[stuckincity]

I just bought a hatchet and nobody even glanced at me while I walked around with it.

[Fish along]

JUST ANOTHER IDIOTIC LOOPHOLE ,,WOULD MAKE A GREAT STORY FOR MONTY PYTHON ..OR THE GONG SHOW

[FCLightning]

The better question is - how would anyone know that they were asking for this info in MEC? Why spend your money in a store that will use your money to fund anti-hunting, preservationist organizations when there are viable alternatives - you can get bear spray from any number of outfits that actively support hunting as a legitimate outdoor activity. Heck, show your AFGA card and Campers Village will even give you 10% off - how is that for a direct support of the hunting community.

[ESOXangler]

Originally Posted by FCLightning

The better question is - how would anyone know that they were asking for this info in MEC? Why spend your money in a store that will use your money to fund anti-hunting, preservationist organizations when there are viable alternatives - you can get bear spray from any number of outfits that actively support hunting as a legitimate outdoor activity. Heck, show your AFGA card and Campers Village will even give you 10% off - how is that for a direct support of the hunting community.

The back packs and pants are great. Plus you get to give hipsters the wink.

[michaelmicallef]

I was in there today do some work on thier leaking HVAC unit. Man did I ever contrast nicely with my camo Bow Tech hat and camo jacket. After I finished my work in there I had a craving for a granola bar, I actually had one in my lunch bag. Yum!

[greylynx]

And what were those ice axes actually invented for.

If you have ancestors from central Europe, old great great great great grandpapee had an ice axe and he did not chop much ice with it.

[Peace Country]

Originally Posted by FCLightning

The better question is - how would anyone know that they were asking for this info in MEC? Why spend your money in a store that will use your money to fund anti-hunting, preservationist organizations when there are viable alternatives - you can get bear spray from any number of outfits that actively support hunting as a legitimate outdoor activity. Heck, show your AFGA card and Campers Village will even give you 10% off - how is that for a direct support of the hunting community.

So true they should not be supported as they funding anti hunting organizations. I spend my $$$ else where for sure.

[6tmile]

Just go to any oilfield supply store. I had the guys pick up a case of it. Called ahead and told them i needed 12 cans. They picked it up with no questions asked.

[kmacisaac]

I had the same deal at Wholesale about a year and a half ago, checked my I.d., took down my info etc....I don't really have an issue with it since it probably deters a few dirt bags from a product they'd use for a crime tool.
Seems this is going to get turned into another MEC rant whether this happens at a hunting store or an outdoor gear store.

[greylynx]

Originally Posted by 6tmile

Just go to any oilfield supply store. I had the guys pick up a case of it. Called ahead and told them i needed 12 cans. They picked it up with no questions asked.

Hey 6tmile:

What else can a guy get at one of the stores?

I am thinking a high quality pair of rubber boots, and a rain suit to match.
Not Crappy Tire stuff.

Do they sell high quality come alongs and snatch blocks?

Anyone else reading this please post.

[artie]

I had the same at wholesale sports in Calgary. Then the clerk walked me to the cashier and threw the can on the counter. Lucky it never went off, but he did put a big dent in the can. I should have asked for another can as this can was now suspect to leaking from the dent but I did not want to go through the paper work again.

[FCLightning]

Originally Posted by greylynx

Hey 6tmile:

What else can a guy get at one of the stores?

I am thinking a high quality pair of rubber boots, and a rain suit to match.
Not Crappy Tire stuff.

Do they sell high quality come alongs and snatch blocks?

Anyone else reading this please post.

They have lots of good stuff - but it is an "oilfield" supply store so pay accordingly.

[TomCanuck]

Could be wrong, but I think there is a Calgary bylaw that mandates the info gathering wrt bear spray.

[greylynx]

They have your name at the cashier. why submit your name to some greenwashed pepper salesman.

Mind you MEC has a lot of problems of people using other peoples names in a purchase.

Tripping over dollars to save a nickel.

I smell business problems in MEC. Let us AO folks watch and see what happens.

[greylynx]

Originally Posted by FCLightning

They have lots of good stuff - but it is an "oilfield" supply store so pay accordingly.

Get the boss to pay for it.

Write it off.

[missingtwo]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

I don't do MEC.

Nor do I. And anyone that hunts should not pass their threshhold.