Staples

It was great when they started offering shipping services here– a convenient alternative to the always-​busted 125^th st post office– but now that they’re charging for use of their packing tape, they’ve lost me. Trifling perhaps, but elicited by their trifling policy.

Worst location I have ever been to! Waited in line to get postage for over 45 minutes and ended up leaving! They make customers enter all their own information into their mailing system which causes a massive slow down because no one understands their computer system. Store employees should be the ones using the computer for shipping to speed up service. I will NEVER return to this location. 100% dissatisfied customer.

This is not a review of the staff; the one dude stationed at this location did his best to manage four different customers while also dealing with several malfunctioning malfunctioning machines and zero help. Here’s an idea: instead of spending significant amounts of money on fancy looking machines that don’t work, get a couple of old school multi-​functional models and a pay for another human being to come help this guy out.

People are not lying when they say this is one of the worst places to go if you actually want anything right or on time. The lines are always long, the employees are totally unhelpful, and nothing ever works. Pay for same day printing? Too bad, the machines broke and nobody bothered to call you and let you know before you came in. Want to mail some packages? Oops, the printing machines are broken so you’ll need to walk a few aves over to the post office (worth it, its big and clean and functional!). Its clear they don’t have the resources to run this place or the equipment properly. Given the clear high volume and need of the community for these services, it would really behoove Staples to get this store in order.

This review is specifically for the print and copy center at this location. I went to the «self-​service» area to print 2 copies of a 2 page resume in color on resume paper for a job interview. Sounds simple enough.
The customer service rep advised me to go to the self-​service computer and print from there instead of going straight to the cashier with the request, so that the documents could be printed from there. Meanwhile, he would get the resume paper. Even though it was $ 0.30 per minute to use the computer, I figured it wouldn’t take long. Document was pulled up fairly easily on a fairly new version of internet explorer (not Google Chrome, but still efficient enough) and the computer did not charge for the time it took to start up Windows, which was nice. The problem occurred after the document was ready to print, when the customer service rep. was bombarded by about 10 people regarding how to use the so-​called «self-​service» equipment, such as the copiers, printers and computers. I remained patient hoping he would come back soon. When I realize that he won’t be back after a few minutes, I try to print it myself in color but I got a printing error for the default color printer. I am fairly computer savvy, but due to the first error which charged my credit card $ 4.31, I didn’t want to chance another printing error so I waited. I ask another service rep. for assistance after about 5 more minutes but am told that only one person was assisting in the area, and that he tell the original customer rep to come over. 5 minutes after that conversation, I approach the swamped but friendly customer service rep. who informs me that he can help. I say to call off the resume paper and ask for two colored copies. He prints them and refunds me the extra minutes I spent waiting and also for the printing error that was attempted. Apparently, they had two colored printers available, but one wasn’t working. There was no indication of that at all.
By this point, I just had to say something regardless because the system was so inefficient. When asking the manager as to why there was only one person helping, he replied that the purpose of the self-​service area was for people to use it without help. My question is… if there are no clear instructions as to which printer works and which one doesn’t, no instructions regarding special printing procedures, and the only answers lie in an ambitious, yet overworked employee, how can that be called self-​service? Meanwhile, Staples is profiting off this inefficiency by charging people who most likely don’t have a computer at home, a whopping $ 0.30 a minute! Talk about ripping off people who already have it rough. Make the so-​called «self-​service» center more user friendly to promote a more independent and productive work area. Next time, I’m just buying a printer and some ink and calling it a day.

The absolute worst staples I’ve ever been into. The layout is awful. The length of the line made me want to jump in front of a bus. avoid this location at all costs.

Horrible service this is the only printing place by my house so I’m forced to come here there is never enough reps to help customers. lines move very slow .it’s been like this for years 20 minutes on line and only 1 person was on front of me. Harlem needs to do better

I managed to have great customer service here when looking for a product not many people have but that you probably should in NYC. The layout is a little smaller and confusing compared to some other locations in Manhattan but if you’re in the area, it’s okay if you need something general or have some time to get service.

My printing order came out wrong (done by employee named Raphael) and I had to travel a long way to the store to be disappointed. I had to go back the next day for it to be redone by another employee.

This happens to be the closet Staples to my house since someone thought it was a bright idea to close the Fordham Road location and the Gateway Center location.
This location has two floors, the UPS and USPS and print center are all on the first floor and the office supplies are located downstairs. Friendly and knowledgeable staff who are available to answer questions and assist you at the register.

Painfully slow service, waiting in line for 15 min before even being acknowledged. However when I was served they are always very friendly and helpful.

The staff here were surprisingly helpful and friendly, but that is the only nice thing to say about this store. It is SHOCKINGLY overpriced — a pack of post-​it notes is $ 8! Also, it’s incredibly crowded to the point of being uncomfortable and it took a long time to check out.
Save yourself the stress and expense and head to the local 99 cent store.

If I could give zero stars I would. This is their closest location to me but I refuse to come here ever again since they always fail to help me. Once you walk in their faces are bothered by your presence. You will wait on a long line for printing services but you will probably waste your time or wait a lot more. They do not want to work. They all direct you to use the self services even if you cannot do it yourself. I have come here to print a couple of pages but with an specific format with an special paper and I have told them it has to be printed from one of their computers because they do not allow me to change the paper myself and because the format would be wrong. I waste a few cents showing them what I mean and then they say I have to change the format in a computer and I tell them that the format is right but the self serving machines do not print it right and anyways I want another paper. You would think they would do what I say since I have already waste time and money and it’s just a couple of pages but no. They offered me to drop my document to be picked up another day because they were busy. However, they are walking in the back doing nothing and even make customers wait on line just to be this unhelpful again. Someone needs to teach these people customer service skills and hire people who really want to work.

Just an update; So I filed a complaint in Small Claims Court back in March. Was given a court date for May 1^st, 2014. I showed up, STAPLES Inc., did not show up. I was sent to an arbitrator who after hearing my complaint & looking at my photo’s & videos ruled in my favor. I received a check for the damages via UPS yesterday. The system works! STAPLES Inc., does not.

I hate this store. The associates are obnoxious. The manager is a scumbag who really makes it obvious that he doesn’t care about his job or the store. The other people move at a rate of 1mph. The time it takes for them to complete tasks is awful.
Above all though the staff is so rude and condescending. Harlem isn’t ghetto anymore and neither should Staples be.

If I could give negative stars I would. Cant tell you how many times I come here to print pictures for my portfolio. Everyone is nasty, and when their supervisor is here… Like now they suck up so much it makes me wanna puke, mainly cuz literally five minutes prior to him showing up absolutely No one was around to help any customers, to the point where I was asked three times if I work here. I am so stoned and wearing jeans… That’s how unprofessional everyone thinks of the staff to think my bum outfits qualifies as their work clothes. Like is this real life? Oh and I waited 3 hours for my photos just for them to be printed 20 minutes after I arrived. I arrived 15 minutes after they said it would be ready. Then the manager had the audacity to blame literally the ONLY NICE EMPLOYEE I have ever been helped by.

The WORST service ever. I emailed my stuff over to them to help me manage my time for the day. I put my number in the email in case they needed any more info. Not only did they not call to let me know the job was done (since they never did it), when I got there they said it wasn’t ready because they couldn’t open one attachment. Why did they not call me? I would have figured out getting there earlier. Then the snobby (or stoned) guy could not have moved slower in the not offering any help to my situation. Thank god I brought my drive. He used that to print my job but then disappeared. I had to get someone else to retrieve my stuff. Ask someone else for a bag, then another person to actually charge me. Seriously, GO TO THE FED EX DOWN THE STREET! They actually know what they are doing.

Here’s why the one star. I’m a long time resident. A Harlemite and proud of it. When major business began their slow ascend to the hood, on a positive note folks said great, now we don’t have to go down town. Many of us were and are still happy Staples came passed 86^th street, that Kinkos/​Fed Ex followed. Yes, I don’t have to go downtown. I just walk a couple of blocks, get a little work out on and be happy with the errands I’ve accomplished.
Yes? Well maybe. Today, like so many other days at Staples, the self service machines were a mess. Only one working and one gentleman decided to do his entire life span of pay stubs, money order receipts, ID’s, and items I can’t bother to elaborate on, this day. And there one Staples employee basically made the copies for him as he shuffled through piles of paper. When I arrived, one older gentleman was waiting. Who knows how long. I sat and waited fifteen minutes before I decided to try Kinkos/​Fed Ex.
One things to know about the convenience of using your ATM/​Credit Card on the self service copy machines at Kinkos/​Fed Ex: you are charged an additional 1.00 surcharge. I accumulated three over draft fees for those sneaky surcharges before I realized where they were coming from. Since that time, I ask the one of the workers to make the copies for me. But today, there was some new kid, who did not honor my request. I told him about the surcharge. He said he did not know and didn’t budge.
So I left and walked back to Staples. Folks are you keeping with the time?
Back at Staples, the man with his life in the hands of a Staples employee is still shuffling away, the old an is still there waiting as there are three other individuals. The street level where the copy service/​fax/​printing is is packed. The employees in the in the service area are quite of the madness of the line that’s building but do nothing.
You walk over and ask if they can make one copy for you and they tell you that they have orders to do. No one is asking them to stop what they’re doing but it seems clearing up the congestion is not that important. Finally me and one woman go over and speak to someone. He tells us that the color machine is working. I ask him if I would have to pay for the price of a color if all I want is b/​w. He says yes.
I ask him can he do something given that so many people of waiting.
He says no. Frustrated, we go down to the manager who does not make eye contact with us (BAD MANAGERIAL SKILLS) and just tells us that the workers upstairs have orders to do. Again, we ask if they are aware that the customers are waiting and are not being to be do what they classify as self service. He sends up someone to help us.
It sucks to have to bitch. It really sucks to have to bitch about low grade service at a place you were once happy about coming to the ‘hood’.
We get out copies. The folks upstairs now have an attitude with us. They do the transaction with the woman I went downstairs with. They leave the register once I’m there and make me wait (passive aggressive bull*^%!) I pay my .66 cents (yup. all that for 5 copies + tax)
Time spent in Staples to make 5 copies: close to 45 minutes.
I’m sorry but this would not happen downtown. Not ever.
Alas, the reason an unlimited Metrocard still goes a long way.

Came here to print some documents and I can really say much about their services except that none of the three computer they have for self-​service were working; one photocopier was working out three…
Asked if there was any other option in the store and was told «we don’t know when they will be fixed»… so methinks not for sure!

Stopped into m local staples to buy a desk chair.
I researched
to pick out three chairs, you know you should always have a «Plan B» when dealing with a large chain.
My local store is a two level stores. Upstairs there is the copy service, internet service and downstairs is the main store.
I go downstairs and search for the chair section, so I could have a look before asking for help. I look up and down the endless rows of product only to find out there is no such «section» when asked if I need help.
So I tell the associate who asks me if I need help what I’m looking for. He tells me that the offerings in the «weekly ad» doesn’t necessarily reflect what’s offered in each store.
And that the two of the items I’m interested in are not sold in this store but downtown. WTF? I was like that makes no sense, yet it’s not his fault.
He takes me upstairs and tell me, «I don’ have any of the items you’re interested in but I do have a cheaper chair». Cheap is what I want; I’m interested in quality. Lucky for him they had a chair that I could work with. I didn’t want a chair with arms, and since this it was self-​assembly item I would assemble without the arms. Although, I wasn’t please that staples didn’t have what I wanted and was «short» with the associate that helped me, I have to say he was pleasant and pretty knowledgeable of the chair. He set it aside and so that I didn’t have to drag it downstairs and back up.
The check out area is a pain. There is a line of 10 people and only two cashiers. This area of the store was not planned very well. Both cashiers had «attitude» although neither a match for mine! If you don’t want my experience my wrath, then act as if you have an ounce of common sense and you want your job. I don’t need to hear about your personal business, I just want you to acknowledge me by saying «hello», ring up my items, accept my form of payment and say «thank you» when my transaction is complete. When you give me attitude and «lip» and roll your eyes at me because you’re not a professional, I’ll embarrass your ass — so cashiers, bone up on your skills, you are the face of your business and no matter how great a product selection you have, service is more important.
This could be a decent store with some front line customer service training, better product selection along with better coordination with tv/​internet advertised products.
I sent a letter to corporate about my experience so I hope that the regional and general manager of this location take customer comments seriously!
NOTE: I would have given them a three if they had my item in stock, but the check out experience was a lasting moment.