Staples

It’s not busy enough that you should have to wait in line for like 10 minutes. Not very friendly either.

I tried to use a gift card to purchase something online on Black Friday, and it wouldn’t let me input my gc. The Customer service agent not only couldn’t fix my problem, she told me to call back in «an hour or two», with no guarantee that this problem would be fixed, on probably the busiest sales day of the year. No thanks; I’m not going to wait on hold for another 30 mins to try and buy something, just go to Amazon instead.

So I am the 5^th one in line this morning at 6am for an iPad 2 64gb. I am told they are sold out because they opened it up on line this year. I saw one other person get the same product. The manager told me that they only had 3 to sell. This email probably won’t go to anyone that matters, but I thought I would try. This is how you lose long term customers.

Attendant at the copy center had absolutely no idea what he was doing. He couldn’t find the order I was told was complete over the phone. He didn’t even know how to use the printer when I suggested he just reprint the 20 pages.

Last time I came here I wanted a large whiteboard. I asked the salesman if they stocked 6′ or larger office whiteboards. He pointed to the general area of the whiteboards and tried to ignore me.
I explained that I had already looked and that there were none that large. He stated that they had them in that corner, seemed annoyed that he had to go show me, and we walked back over.
He picked up a small one, about 2’x3’ and stared at me like an idiot for not finding it myself. Confused, I said AGAIN, «6 foot or larger.. .thats about 3 feet, I need a much bigger one.» He stared at the whiteboards for a while, scratched his head and told me that was the biggest one they had.
The part that really pissed me off was the fact that he wasn’t even holding the biggest one on the rack. There was a bigger one RIGHT ON FRONT OF HIM.
It still wasn’t big enough for my needs, but he couldn’t even figure out which of the ones right in front of him was largest. I ended up talking to someone else and finding that there WAS a large one IN THE BACK, COMPLETELY AVAILABLE.
The trip before that I needed a power strip and the guy didn’t know what that was. I kid you not, I had to explain to a staples guy what a power splitter is for.
How are they still in business?
I’ll try office max today I guess. It’s farther away, but maybe their employees know how to read.

Just dealt with an employee named Sheri in the Copy Center. It is really amazing to me that every word out of her mouth was negative. She even sound excited when she was unable to open a file that we emailed to her. If you are looking for any resemblance of customer service, do not go to this store.

Order business cards at 1pm on a Sunday for a last minute trip and they were ready for me at 6pm even kept the store open for me as I dashed in at 5;59.
Great customer service and affordable.

Went in this store as I was needing copies fast. I knew they wouldn’t have any «time» in the copy center – the guy is always way behind, tells me I should follow up with a phone call when I email an order in, so I have quit using that service.
Went to use color copy in self serve – broken
Went to computer to see if I could print from there… no go
Went to counter to see if Copy guy would help. He was packing a box for UPS – no hello, be right with you, whatcha need; NOTHING.
I bought some presentation covers and left.
Moving my biz to Office Depot/​Maxx done with this! And I use to shop here EXCLUSIVELY. not anymore.

I wonder if Staples wonders why they are losing so much money. I feel like a genius as I know exactly why, and the managers and corporate at Staples has their collectives heads of one giant ass. Went into this desolate wasteland that they call a store to purchase a $ 500 laptop, went up to front and asked if they had one on stock, 2 people? who weren’t doing anything looked over at the managers office and yelled something and told me they were in a meeting and it would be a couple minutes, 10 minutes later I walk out feeling foolish that I thought this would be a normal experience, nope. Staples, you dumbass, file bankruptcy, go out of business so I don’t have to see your eyesore of a sign again

Another fantastic shopping & tech help experience with Chessna. She helped me pick out a laptop a few months ago. Today I came to gave data transfered from my old desktop & buy a new printer. I always get awesome tech advice too. I’m a small business owner who isn’t to tech savvy & they always treat me with respect & are super patient with all my questions.

Be careful with print jobs there I brought a couple sheets to print on the digital printer they couldn’t print them for me right away so I came back five hours later and then they still didn’t have them printed because they’re old computers could read my file and I had to go somewhere else

Michael in the Staples Tech Center (Interbay location) worked with my laptop (and me) to determine that my webcam wasn’t to be recovered, as I thought might be the case. I desperately needed it for a meeting in less than 48 hours, so he offered to assist me in choosing one from their store stock. I chose a mid-​price item, he installed it and the speaker I brought in that I wanted to also use at the meeting. I purchased another cord I needed and a program for my daughter. Michael explained how to provide my daughter with the information so she could download it from out-​of-​state and I was on my way. He was helpful and patient… really taking the steps to explain things in a way that I could understand. I will purchase any future tech equipment I need for my small business from them… I already purchase all of my small business office supplies from them. I’ll also be bringing my Mom’s laptop in for some work.
There was a little bit of a hassle getting to speak with somebody the day before when I called in, but the manager was very understanding and apologetic when I told her. I met her when I was in to work with Michael. I recommend the store AND the people I’ve worked with there!

I feel badly about writing a review with one star, but I hope I’m helping out anyone that ever thought about buying a shredder from Staples. Don’t do it. Don’t even think about it. Go to Costco. I’ve bought three shredders for my home from Staples in the three years I’ve had the Costco model for our business. I am not doing any fancy shredding at home — just the occasional sensitive document. I shred volumes at work with the Costco shredder. I dropped by Staples today to drop off the last loser shredder hoping that they would at least empathize and replace it. I even had the receipt to show that it was less than a year old. Well, they said there was nothing they could do; but there is something I can do. I will buy another shredder from Costco for home and never shop Staples again even though it is less than a mile from my house. They have lost thousands of dollars in business purchases because they couldn’t deal with a $ 30 piece of junk shredder. I think their buyers in charge of getting shredders for Staples should be advised of their poor track record.
I feel better now.

Ugh Staples. Every time I go to one of your stores, I can smell death in the air. My experience at this store was no better.
The lighting is depressing, there aren’t a lot of supplies on the shelves, customer service is really bad (the employees can’t answer questions about their own products) and even with an empty store, it’s hard to get help. I came to this store because the Aurora supply was lacking and the clerk there had «no idea» if there were other stores in Seattle. Really???
First, I almost died trying to take a right off of 15^th and through the flow of an off-​ramp that dumps out in front of the entrance. Second, the customer service reps were confused, inefficient and not helpful. I got at least 3 «I dunnos» when looking for a product. When I finally decided to just end the experience, I got to the check out register where I was begrudgingly rung out by a miserable employee. I mean, she was really unhappy which resulted in apathetic, slow, rude service and my items shoved in a bag.
I’d say there was something really wrong with the management of this store, but perhaps this is just a Staples-​wide thing. You really don’t want to go near this place. Risking a car accident certainly isn’t worth it, either.

I have had such great experiences there but I go often and know the staff because I ALWAYS ask them to match competitor’s prices.
They have some great specials and if you go for the loss leaders and leverage the competitor’s coupons it’s a marvelous deal. Will it ever hold the same place in my heart as Queen Anne Office Supply, never but that is a by-​gone era.
Mike knows his stuff in the cell phone area, Dan and Jay in the copy center go out of their way to be nice. Angie and the other cashier I know are kind and patient, taking the extra time to explain their money saving promotions.
They just got a new manager and there was a reorg so perhaps those who have complained here can give it another try.
Treat them well and you will get great service in my experience. Handy to Queen Anne and Magnolia.

Dear Staples,
I’m never buying a product from you guys again. First my Lenovo Twist experiences hard drive issues (which I BOUGHT FROM YOU PUNKS), I go in to buy another replacement drive. Your sales guy gives me false intel about a wrong drive, I purchase wrong drive, I go home and thought it was right drive, I try to take off cover and made some minor cosmetic damages in order to fit in my new hard drive but find out it’s needs 7 mm 2.5″ not a 9 mm 2.5″.
I go back to return but you guys won’t even accept my return based off of your sales guy giving me the wrong intel. Wow I seriously hate you guys. Fuck you, I’m never buying from any of your stores ever again. Go rot in hell. If tomorrow were the apocalypse, I repeat, if tomorrow WERE the apocalypse, I would get an RPG and shoot that RPG missile at your fucking store or molotov cocktail your fucking store. That’s how much I fucking hate you guys right now.
Fuck you guys. I’m going to tell everyone to buy online at newegg or tiger direct and never buy important shit from you fuckers ever again. As a matter of fact, I’ll go and return my Bamboo Capture from you fuckers later today since I don’t need it that quickly and I’ll purchase one from Amazon with FREE 2-​Day SHIPPING since I HAVE AMAZON PRIME.
FUCK YOU STAPLES. GO BURN IN HELL.
END RANT.

Went there today to get a printer cartridge; 48 some odd dollars, there were at least a dozen service people in the store. I got to the check out and there were six people in one line waiting and no one in line at the second till so that is where I went; I was told to get in single file in the first line. I left without purchasing what I drove several miles to get and will never go back; not at all service oriented, I felt like I was in kindergarten.

These people are constantly sleazy. I’m not sure if it’s the corporate culture of Staples, but the manager is creepy, the salesmen retention rate is poor, and the ass managers are always trying to make a buck for the big company. I found a damaged (!) plastic wall hanging folder, which he said he would only mark off 10%? And for private lessons, Matt marked up the price 400%? I’ll bring my business elsewhere, please. OfficeMax on Leary Way just across the Ballard Bridge is a much better bet and better prices too!

One of the other reviewers asked if there is any real difference between the big 3 office supply stores. For me at least, the answer is Yes!
I find that Staples is usually a bit cheaper on most things than the other two, and they’re much better on some key items/​issues.
First, let’s talk rebates. All kinds of stores and companies now use them as marketing tools, and it’s usually a pain to cut out UPC codes and photocopy receipts and mail it all to some PO Box near the edge of the country. Staples has fixed this! Their EasyRebates really *are* easy. You just go to their website, type in the receipt code (from your receipt) and the offer code (again, from your receipt) and you’re set to go, no cutting, no mailing, no angst. Recently, they’ve even started offering Paypal as an option for getting your rebate — no more depositing checks for $ 3.87.
Second, if you join their frequent-​buyer program (no charge), you can get automatic rebates on other items advertised in their weekly ad. I’ve recently gotten 3-​ring binders, reams of printer paper, packing tape, and banker’s boxes for free or for only a dollar or two through this scheme.
Third, they’ve got good prices on HP ink, especially when you turn in the old cartridges, and also take advantage of frequent discounts for buying two packs at a time, etc.
Fourth, they’ve got helpful staff (at least at this store). They’re good about helping you find what you want.
Fifth, you can order stuff online (like Tully’s Kona blend — mmm! — Keurig cup boxes) at good prices and get free shipping to your local store.
Sixth, the parking’s plentiful and free (even if you do have to cut off traffic coming down the Magnolia Bridge when you turn into their lot).
After their recent revamp, they’ve also got $ 1, $ 2, $ 3 and more bins of goodies out on display now — as much fun as a dollar store!
YMMV, but I’m a pretty happy camper here.

Is there any real difference between the office supply superstores? Can anyone really tell the difference between Staples, Office Max and Office Depot?
It’d be one thing if the names really meant anything. Say that Staples really was the place to go for… staples. Giant staples, small staples, staplers, furniture only held together by staples. Then the name would have more meaning and I could differentiate these places. They could even have a cafeteria that served flapjacks in the forms of staples.
See. Then you’d never forget it.
Sadly, this doesn’t appear to be the case. As far as I can tell, this Staples has a fairly similar product line to the Office Max across the bridge. Paper, Post-​Its, minor electronics and folders can be found here. Prices seemed slightly lower here, but it could be an abberation for the few items I was comparing. I suppose the main differentiating features are that it’s a little dimmer lighting here and the parking lot is pothole filled. Maybe they save money on fixing the parking lot and use it to lower prices. I’d like to think that.