Marketplace (1972– ) User Reviews

One of Canada's best and longest running

[raymond-andre · 9/10 · 19 March 2017]

Marketplace has been a staple of Canadian television watching for nearly fifty years. From it's early days when "Stompin' Tom Connors" sang the opening theme song "...You save a lot of money spendin' money you ain't got!" through a string of hosts, many of whom went on to be national news anchors. "Marketplace" was a show we turned to for the low down on publicity trends, product safety and confidence men praying on unwary consumers. Many people turned to the "Marketplace" team for justice or to expose crooked business men and women. Often large corporations would settle out of court with victims of fraud rather than be exposed publicly on the show. Terrific television.

Was good but now in decline

[HigHurtenflurst · 5/10 · 9 October 2018]

Marketplace used to be an excellent hard hitting look at consumer issues. In its heyday, there was no advertising and thus the show could target any product or company with impunity. Alas in recent years the show is interrupted my numerous ads, and one can presume they will not bite the hand that feeds them. The show has also taken on more of a reality game show persona, instead of hard hitting investigations. Other new gimmicks include disturbing scene changes involving shuddering or stuttering video effects, I suppose to appeal to younger viewers, but perhaps invoking epileptic siezures in the susceptible. I hope they regain what they once were!

Relying on sensationalism and populism rather than facts

[mij-rafee-1344 · 5/10 · 26 December 2018]

I am a newcomer to Canada. So when I started getting this show on my YouTube feed, I checked them out. But frankly speaking, there show is hit and miss now. I liked the episodes regarding breast implant and long distance delivery, where they were talking about real issues people face, when they are trying to avail a service they have paid for. But other episodes are like meh. They are trying to create something out of nothing. For example, the episode on Canada's dumbest charges has to be the dumbest episode I have ever seen. All of the services except one were optional services, but still the consumers wanted the service without paying for it, which doesn't make any sense whatsoever. For example, it is absolutely evident, sending a paper copy of an statement is more expensive than eStatements. Still, the consumers are furious, when the bank is charging for it. If you don't want to be charged for it, get eStatements, simple. The other alternative is banks sending paper statements to everyone, without asking and increasing the monthly fee for everyone. Can you tell me, why I should be paying more for something I don't want? And this pattern is repeated throughout this and other episodes, again and again. So, if the producers are watching this review, I request you to get some common sense and learn how things actually, rather than asking everything for free.

A once relevant informative show with teeth

[mountainriver-15765 · 2/10 · 19 July 2022]

This was once a relevant show which found issues in the marketplace, chased down the story and often solved problems through corporate or government intervention. They had teeth and were not afraid to use them. Viewers watched because they got results. Now they are just another CBC Woke inspired production who are no longer respected and don't really solve anything of relevance and avoid any controversy at all costs. Today issues get government/corporate responses of "No Comment" or "Not our problem". As a show they have changed from Guard Dogs of the marketplace to defanged pussy cats with blindfolds.

This is one of the best series that I watched !

[teo-53185 · 8 March 2017]

This is a very good series! It explains a lot of topics that concern us. From charges, we don't have to pay from the episode Canada's dumbest charges to showing us the real price for somethings like prices, Canada vs. The US and much more. This is one of the only series that talk about problems like these. I would totally recommend.