'Disappointing': Regina customer frustrated with Mastermind Toys gift card deadline
In 2024, Mastermind Toys will come under new ownership and all gift cards will be invalid just before Christmas.
For Ashley Krefting, a mom of three kids, this is disappointing news.
“My mother in law, who lives out of town, purchased gift cards for Mastermind for my kids to open up on Christmas and go shopping after Christmas, and I just learned this morning, after the 24th, they’re no longer honouring these gift cards,” she told CTV News on Friday.
Krefting said she called the Regina store after she saw social media posts online and asked if she could get a refund for the gift cards.
“They said no, they just have to come use the gift cards before the 24th,” she explained.
The mom of three said she’s frustrated because she has shopped there for many years for Christmas and birthday gifts.
"I think I'll have to look for some other toy store, which is disappointing because this is convenient and I always liked it, I also don't want to support a business that treats customers that way," she said.
Krefting said they’ll use the gift cards before the 24th to avoid the stress, but said she's less likely to shop there again.
“I feel like if they have new ownership, it’s not really a good way to strengthen your customer base by making people mad around Christmas,” she said.
Meanwhile, the toy company has also extended its holiday return and exchange policy for online and in store purchases.
- With files from Gareth Dillistone
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW
NEW Federal Liberals to pick new leader on March 9 as rules for leadership race are defined
The Liberal Party of Canada have announced leadership race rules late Thursday, including a significant increase in entrance fees and a requirement for voters to be Canadian citizens.
Canada’s unemployment rate ticks down
Canada’s unemployment rate was 6.7 per cent in December, down 0.1 percentage points from the previous month.
Canadian 'Super Scooper' plane grounded after hitting civilian drone over Los Angeles wildfires
A Canadian “Super Scooper” aircraft fighting the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles had to be grounded after it hit a drone flying in restricted airspace over the devastating blaze on Thursday, the local fire department said.
NEW
NEW Why four Canadians traded their traditional office space for a life on the road
CTVNews.ca asked Canadians who've embraced the digital nomad lifestyle, or have done so in the past, to share their stories — the challenges, triumphs and everything in between.
NEW
NEW Five ways homeowners can protect themselves from contractor fraud
Building or renovating a home can be one of the biggest expenses of one's life. It's costly, and potentially even more expensive if something goes wrong. Between 2022-24, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) received hundreds of complaints about general contractors in Canada.
US$1-billion Dubai skyscrapers to be linked by daring rooftop pool
Two new 591-foot-tall skyscrapers, linked across the top by a daring “sky pool,” are set to rise above Dubai’s Marasi Marina.
Liberals will remove 'fraudulent' memberships, as some register their pets to vote
A federal Liberal spokesman says the party can and will remove "fraudulent profiles" from its list of electors eligible to vote for its next leader.
Wildfires are a threat to mental health that can linger even years later
Uncertainty about losing a home or a neighbourhood is one factor, studies have showed, that can contribute to an increase in mental health problems among people who experience wildfires.
Is the Hollywood sign on fire?
As fires scorch Los Angeles, fake images and videos of a burning Hollywood sign have circulated on social media.
Saskatoon
-
'They are hopeless': Saskatoon family desperate to bring sisters to Canada
Two Saskatoon women are desperately trying to get their loved ones out of Afghanistan, as the Taliban continues to oppress women.
-
Canada’s unemployment rate ticks down
Canada’s unemployment rate was 6.7 per cent in December, down 0.1 percentage points from the previous month.
-
'It feels good': First 28 students from University of Saskatchewan's nursing fast-track program graduate
The first students of a fast-track nursing program at the University of Saskatchewan have graduated. The program aims to address the province's healthcare staffing shortage.
Winnipeg
-
Another big tax hike is potentially coming for Brandon residents
Brandon homeowners are facing the possibility of a double-digit tax increase in 2025.
-
Winnipeg man charged with sexually assaulting children at daycare: police
Police have charged a man with sexually assaulting two children at an unlicensed daycare in Winnipeg.
-
NEW
NEW Federal Liberals to pick new leader on March 9 as rules for leadership race are defined
The Liberal Party of Canada have announced leadership race rules late Thursday, including a significant increase in entrance fees and a requirement for voters to be Canadian citizens.
Edmonton
-
NEW
NEW Federal Liberals to pick new leader on March 9 as rules for leadership race are defined
The Liberal Party of Canada have announced leadership race rules late Thursday, including a significant increase in entrance fees and a requirement for voters to be Canadian citizens.
-
Five hurt in Red Deer industrial fire
Five people are in hospital following an explosion Thursday at a Red Deer industrial site.
-
Penguins run up score early in win over visiting Oilers
Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists to move into ninth on the NHL's career scoring list as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers 5-3 on Thursday night.
Calgary
-
Property assessment notices being mailed: City of Calgary
Around 600,000 property owners will get their 2025 property assessment notices in the mail starting Friday.
-
Airdrie RCMP advise public of police incident
Mounties are warning the public about a police incident in southwest Airdrie on Friday.
-
Southeast Calgary business owner charged with sexual assault of young girl in shop
A 63-year-old man has been charged with the sexual assault of a young girl in a southeast Calgary tailor shop.
Lethbridge
-
Lethbridge police seek help locating suspect in Wednesday night robbery
Lethbridge police are seeking public assistance to locate a suspect in releation to a robbery.
-
Southern Alberta woman sentenced to house arrest, curfew for fatal collision
A southern Alberta woman has been sentenced for a fatal collision that claimed the life of a 26-year-old Okotoks man in 2023.
-
2 people charged after multiple break-and-enters of Nanton businesses
A Nanton resident and a Claresholm resident have been charged in relation to multiple break-and-enters that took place in southeast Nanton.
Toronto
-
Toronto police investigating third tow truck-related shooting this week
Toronto police say they are investigating another tow truck-related shooting in Scarborough, the third such incident in just over 24 hours.
-
NEW
NEW Federal Liberals to pick new leader on March 9 as rules for leadership race are defined
The Liberal Party of Canada have announced leadership race rules late Thursday, including a significant increase in entrance fees and a requirement for voters to be Canadian citizens.
-
Ontario homeowners left with expensive contracts after company appears to go out of business
Several homeowners in Ontario signed contracts with Provincial Smart Home Services promising rebates for their energy efficient upgrades, but now won't receive them as the company appears to have gone out of business.
Ottawa
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Algonquin College closing Perth, Ont. campus as it deals with 'challenging fiscal times'
Algonquin College plans to close its campus in Perth, Ont. next year, as it deals with a multi-million deficit due to the new federal cap on international students and provincial funding shortfalls.
-
Firefighters battle fire in bungalow in Ottawa's west end
Firefighters responded to reports of a fire on Southwood Drive, near Iris Street, at approximately 8 a.m. Friday.
-
Senators owner optimistic, but cautious on talks for new arena at LeBreton Flats
Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer is cautiously optimistic about finalizing a deal to build a new arena at LeBreton Flats, but says, "let's just hope the NCC doesn't change the rules at the last second."
Montreal
-
NEW
NEW Federal Liberals to pick new leader on March 9 as rules for leadership race are defined
The Liberal Party of Canada have announced leadership race rules late Thursday, including a significant increase in entrance fees and a requirement for voters to be Canadian citizens.
-
How to improve climate predictions? McGill researchers turn to 19th century letters
A team led by McGill University researchers came up with a method they hope could improve climate models over Africa by combining them with 19th century missionary records, refashioning dubious documents in a bid to better inform projections of global warming's impact.
-
Côte Saint-Luc tenants currently living without adequate heating and hot water
Residents of an apartment building in Côte Saint-Luc say they are currently living without adequate heating and hot water in the midst of winter.
Vancouver
-
'Incalculably small' amount of diesel visible at site of 8,000-litre B.C. spill
Aerial surveillance over an area where thousands of litres of diesel was spilled last month off Vancouver Island shows most of the fuel is no longer visible on the water.
-
'They don't realize it's not marriage. It's slavery': What a B.C. man is doing to free Cambodians trapped by traffickers
Brian McConaghy began his work in Cambodia decades ago, helping the RCMP on investigations to jail to sex predators from B.C. abusing children overseas. Later, his organization, supported by Canadians, built a secure centre in Phnom Penh, where they protect and support those who have been trafficked internationally.
-
'It's pretty wild out there': Canadian living in L.A. describes life near wildfires
The constant smell of smoke is a reminder all over Los Angeles, even in neighbourhoods far from the flames, that the fight against wildfires isn’t over.
Vancouver Island
-
'They don't realize it's not marriage. It's slavery': What a B.C. man is doing to free Cambodians trapped by traffickers
Brian McConaghy began his work in Cambodia decades ago, helping the RCMP on investigations to jail to sex predators from B.C. abusing children overseas. Later, his organization, supported by Canadians, built a secure centre in Phnom Penh, where they protect and support those who have been trafficked internationally.
-
'It's pretty wild out there': Canadian living in L.A. describes life near wildfires
The constant smell of smoke is a reminder all over Los Angeles, even in neighbourhoods far from the flames, that the fight against wildfires isn’t over.
-
Calls to improve B.C. building codes as fires rage in California
As fires continue raging in California, there are calls here in B.C. to improve building codes to make structures more resistant to wildfire.
Kelowna
-
1 hospitalized, residents displaced after Kelowna apartment fire
Firefighters knocked down a blaze on the third floor of a low-rise apartment building near downtown Kelowna Monday afternoon.
-
Lost skiers rescued off B.C. mountain
Search and rescue volunteers in B.C.’s Okanagan successfully reunited two skiers with their family Friday evening.
-
Charges laid after child porn investigation that 'spanned several different countries,' Kelowna RCMP say
Police in Kelowna say an international investigation has led to child pornography charges against a 46-year-old man.
London
-
Fatal cyclist crash in Thornbury
A serious collision between a vehicle and cyclist was investigated in Thornbury.
-
Two-vehicle collision near Ingersoll hospitalizes one person
One person is in hospital following a two-vehicle collision on Highway 401 near Ingersoll.
-
More snow coming Friday with cold temperatures expected
A low-pressure system is moving through a cold front, bringing with it some snow Friday afternoon.
Kitchener
-
NEW
NEW Federal Liberals to pick new leader on March 9 as rules for leadership race are defined
The Liberal Party of Canada have announced leadership race rules late Thursday, including a significant increase in entrance fees and a requirement for voters to be Canadian citizens.
-
Driver arrested after crashing into Cambridge home
A man is facing multiple charges including impaired driving after a vehicle crashed into a Cambridge home Thursday evening.
-
Elderly Guelph man found using locating technology
A missing Guelph man in his 90s was found quickly Wednesday morning using signal locating technology.
Northern Ontario
-
Former Sudbury, Ont., police officer found guilty of 2007 sexual assault
Wayne Foster, a former police officer with the Greater Sudbury Police Service, has been found guilty of sexual assault in connection with an incident Aug. 24, 2007.
-
Alta. man charged and released twice in one night for violence at northern Ont. hotel
Last weekend, an Alberta man was arrested and released for intimate partner violence at a northern Ontario hotel just hours after being charged and released for assaulting a teen with a weapon at the same location.
-
Superbug outbreak declared at Sault Area Hospital
An outbreak has been declared in a medical unit at the Sault Area Hospital due to a superbug.
Atlantic
-
Big jump in gas prices across the Maritimes overnight
There was a big jump in the price of gas in all three Maritime provinces overnight.
-
Suspicious death of woman in Bible Hill ruled a homicide: N.S. RCMP
The RCMP is treating the suspicious death of a woman in Bible Hill, N.S., last week as a homicide.
-
Maritimers flee L.A. homes as fires continue to rage
Several Maritimers have fled their homes in Los Angeles amid the historic fires.
N.L.
-
Quebec energy deal touted as new chapter for Newfoundland and Labrador heads for vote
A draft energy deal with Quebec heralded as a game-changer for indebted Newfoundland and Labrador is heading for a vote Thursday night at the legislature in St. John's, N.L.
-
Adviser says Quebec-N.L. energy deal is 'very good,' as Opposition vows not to vote
Newfoundland and Labrador's Opposition Progressive Conservatives vowed Wednesday that they will not vote on a draft energy deal with Quebec's hydro utility until it is scrutinized by independent experts.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador energy deal with Quebec under scrutiny as debate opens
Newfoundland and Labrador politicians are digging into the details of the province's draft energy deal with Quebec as four days of debate begin today in St. John's, N.L.
