Complain about a product or service

Staples

Staples • Rebates • Store Pickup • Proteva • Build-to-order Computers • Extended Warranty --- • Staples Offers Electronic Rebate Redemption • Staples Fined $850,000 for Lying to Its Web Customers

Staples provides a fairly handy place for small businesspeople to load up on paper, file folders and cheap chairs. But as the complaints at right will demonstrate, it leaves a lot to be desired once you get past those simple, uh, staples. On top of that, the company has a bad habit of lying about its inventory and delivery practices to its Web site customers (story).

On the other hand, Staples' poor performance on rebate payments and its poor record of on-time delivery of Web site orders make it an unattractive choice overall. Small businesspeople, students and others looking to save money on office supplies should check out the local Costco or Wal-Mart first.

Nolan of San Diego CA (07/07/08)
This happened in November 2007, but I still felt like complaining. I followed the instructions for a Staples mail-in rebate and sent my packing slip for Microsoft Office 2007 and the barcode. I found out that there was no UPC and that the product was not on the receipt. I believe I read the description of the rebate correctly and that I did not need to send anything else, however I have no evidence of my rebate being correctly mailed.

The following is the status of my rebate. $14.95 Rebate on the Combined Purchase of Carbonite Online PC Backup - 3 Month Subscription (SKU 664261) and Select Tax Software,Vista,Office,PC or EMT Service at Staples Submission Type: MAIL-IN Status Date: 11-08-2007 Status Detail: Invalid. Invalid Reason: All required products were not submitted Staples Tech Services Missing UPC Product not found on receipt

Gene of Lake Luzerne NY (07/04/08)
bought desktop at queensbury, and all other office supplies had problems with it, dropped it off there in nov 07, after 10-15 days, (and no phone calls) said could not fix it brought it saratoga..... said it was fixed after 15+ days, returned to office with it still didn't work, brought it back and has been there ever since 7 months! have called and called saratoga store, (CAN PULL PHONE RECORDS), either tech not in, or he dosnt get message we called had to buy another desktop in 07, because it was tax time for end of year.

run a business WOULD NEVER treat my custermors the way i am being treated. had to buy another descktop to be able to do year end billing. had to purchase new quickbooks 07 to do taxes been without desktop for months, have alot of info, billing, etc., that had to be into new quickbooks....had to start all over again, had to pay secretary all over again

Christopher of Powells Point NC (06/18/08)
I have a very small business and I was offered a saving on my purchases of ink,paper and copies with a program called Staples Rewards.This morning I drove to the Kitty Hawk Staples and bought one cartridge of ink taking with me 3 empty ones which they have been paying $3.00 each against the purchase of new printer ink.I was told that that they had changed this recently and now it was directly to my Rewards account.

Needless to say when I got home I checked my Rewards account and discovered that I had joined in July 7th 2005 and although I had bought my ink and new printer there I had never received a check from them ever. Also that they had without notice to me, and proberly everyone else,changed the rules. The lady I talked to, Jessica, said they may have put some signs in the stores bur she really didn't know for sure.

They knew by my small orders that I was a very small customer and they would seem to have arranged that their Rewards programme would not benefit me and other like me. I really hate being scammed and I wish to do something about it.

Aj of Fort Wayne IN (05/09/08)
I was in the market for a new laptop, being that my company has an account with Staples, I went there searching to upgrade my current laptop, I was looking at the HP's and Zack (associate) was educating me about the different features on each model. He was most helpful, then Kyle (the Store Manager) was most rude, telling me not to take Zack's time, so I left the store.

Because of this Manager's rude and unprofessional attitude, I will take my business elsewhere, resulting in a sale of $900, that Staple's will not get, and my Company will close its account with Staple's and move it to a more customer friendly office store.

Grace of Freeport NY (12/02/07)
On 11/25/07, I purchased Turbo Tax software for 99.99 plus tax. I did not used it since it turned out that it was the wrong software to begin with. On 12/02/07, I went back to the store to return this purchase and the cashier refused to accept it because the box was opened. I explained to her that I didn't open the box because I didn't need to use it. She refused to hear any of my reason. The manager was contacted and again he just told me the box is opened and you can't returned it. After he said this he walked away while I was still talking to him. This was one of the worse experience since I am suppost to take this lost of $108.00 for something that I had nothing to do with

Presently. I am taking a lost of $108.61 and not to mentioned the humilation that that manager (Bruce Camplan) made me experience when he walked away while I was still talking to him.

Robert of Sacramento CA (11/26/07)
Staples.com had advertised an online Early Bird Special for Friday, November 23rd at 3am (PST) for a Compaq laptop. I was online at 3am, ordered the laptop and received an order confirmation (#9177785376). This morning (Monday, November 26th) I received an Email from Staples.com that the item was sold out and that my order would not be processed. After some further investigation, I discovered that apparently Staples.com put Early Bird items up for sale earlier than the advertised time, and therefore sold out of the items before the scheduled time. I have sent an Email to Staples.com stating that I still expect my order to be processed, either with the same laptop at a later date or a comparable replacement.

No economic or physical damage to me has resulted. I am just a consumer who believes that businesses have no right to false advertise and expect not to be taken to task for it. I would very much appreciate any help or advice you can offer on this situation. Thank you for your time.

P of New Rochelle NY (03/24/07)

I had a recent death in my family and I was in dire need of printing out 400 copies of funeral programs. I discovered that I could have my copies the same day. I rushed over, dropped off my disk, and was informed by the young lady at the copy center that my programs would be ready between 6 and 7 pm. I told her it was important, so she noted that they would give me a call when they were done.

At around 8 pm, I assumed they probably forgot to call me. I was wrong. They forgot to make the copies! (They discovered this after walking around in circles for an hour) When I asked why they weren't made, I couldn't even get a straight answer, let alone an apology! Don't employees have to go through training anymore? At least have the decency to give me a call and let me know there was a problem (if there even was one) so I can make other arrangements. My confidence in Staples is shot.

Vadim of Bronx NY (03/03/07)

While completing a transaction at a Staples store, I found my vehicle had been towed from the parking lot. I approached store manager on duty that day, and was told that supposedly, one of the occupants of my vehicle was seen by a security guard, leaving Staples parking lot and going across the street to do business there. Staples manager advised me to call tow company, contracted by their landlord. I parked the vehicle at designated Staples parking for shopping only area, and walked (both of us) across the street to shop. Economic loss is as follows: 1. I demand a refund for my purchase at Staples $2.41 2. Since I was a Staples customer at the time of tow, I think I am legible for the unnecessary tow expense of $100.00 3. My vehicle's lower bumper part is damaged as a result of non-professionally performed tow procedures. It is Saturday, March 3, 6:10pm and I am unable to obtain damage estimates. Approximately $700.00 to $1000.00 tow company had absolutely no comment on this issue, since the driver, who towed my vehicle, is not here. Suddenly disappeared???? I have in my possession both Staples and tow company's original receipts.

Jim of Davisburg MI (02/27/07)

I ordered a flat screen monitor online. They gave me a delivery date. After the delivery date came and went I called. They stated no one was home at delivery time. They said they would re-deliver. I waited 4 days and called the company. They said they attempted to deliver, which was not true since I was home these 4 days ALL DAY. They then said the box was damaged and undeliverable which was not true either, since another phone call revealed the monitor was sent back to the warehouse and then resold. It’s been 2 weeks, no monitor and no refund.

Jesus of Dallas, TX (05/22/06)
I purchased computers from this store about a month ago.  I called immediately after placing the order for rebates.  I have over $1000 coming back to me, if ever they stop being rejected.

I don't know why there is no response, other than I will get back with you and like clockwork nothing ever happens.

Margaret of Gardnerville, NV (05/08/06)
December '05 I purchased a I/O Magic 4GB Micr from Staples and filled out the rebate form online immediately. I opened the package to use the flash drive but it did not work so I returned it and got a new one. I kept the original packaging from the first one and got an exchange receipt.

The next day I got a e-mail from the Staples rebate center stating I had returned the item and it no longer quailifed for the rebate. I wrote back and explain that I had exchanged it for a new one. They told me to fax or mail the receipt with the exchange information.  I faxed and mailed the requested documentation.

I still have not heard from them.  I am totally dissatified with Staples' rebate services.

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