I saw a digital camera I wanted to buy in the Staples circular in the Sunday newspaper. I am a distance from the local Staples store, so I called to ask about the camera. Was it in stock, and if it was not, when would it be available? I was told that it was not in stock, they didn't expect a shipment for the next ten days, and do not issue a rain check. I asked to speak to the manager, who confirmed what the salesman had said. None in stock, none coming in, and no rain checks. He did, however, tell me that at the Staples store 40 miles away they had 6 of them, according to his computer.

So I asked if he would order me one from that store, and I would give my credit card number. Then, when it came in I would pick it up. He said that he would not, not could not, do that. It is amazing to me that today, when the economy is what it is and most businesses are suffering, that a company like Staples would have a policy of no rain checks, and would turn down a customer's request to order one from another store.

I'll never buy from them again, and caution everyone against doing business with a company like this that does not care................

 

I wouldn't be so quick to rank all Staples stores with that one. I wanted a privacy screen for my lap top and went to my local Staples. They didn't have one, but a store in Portland did, 100 miles away. They not only ordered it for me, from the other store, but had it sent directly to my house so I wouldn't have to drive back to town to pick it up ~ 73 miles, and didn't charge me for shipping!! I would go back to that store for anything I need without hesitation.

 

i would complain to the corporate bosses about that paticular store. it is odd and pretty dumb that they would not make even the slightest effort like that for a customer. its not like you were asking the impossible from them.

i am not so quick anymore to judge every store by the actions of one. franchises though in theory all suppose to be the same, reality is the only thing the same with them are the products and the name, the local managment and workers really do make the difference between each store. one store could be the worst ever while the one across town could be one of the best.

 

I'm actually glad to hear that about Staples. My wife is a store manager for Office Depot and I know that they bend over backwards to get a customer a product. Very often she stops by several other OD stores on her way to her store to pickup items for customers. We just started getting Staples stores in this part of the world so I'm glad to hear they don't cater to customer requests...it's better for my retirement that way!

 

I usually go to Office Depot, but we do have Staples across town.

You obviously have internet access, and if Staples had a really good price, you can order it online and get it at that store and pick it up from them, no shipping charges usually. I will do that with Cabelas when they finish building here. Several stores offer that service, including Wal Mart and Best Buy.

The days of customer service are pretty much over by the big box stores. I make sure to tell the local guys that I appreciate the service and like to support local business as much as I can, I expect it from them, and I usually get it, but I'm not an *** either, I treat them with respect and explain the situation.

 

Sounds like that particular store has employees that don't give a ***** about the costumer.

I usually go to the Office Max in my area. The employees/management are
helpful, and also, the building they occupy use to be an old Buick dealership
where I worked in the parts department for 15 years.

Parking there is great; totally enclosed in the upper floor.

Hope you get the camera you want.

 

Unfortunately, the closest Staples to me is 35 miles away, in any direction. I've ordered a lot of computer gear from Staples in the past, and as long as I order at least 50 bucks worth of merchandise, it's free shipping. I don't pay much attention to the local circular, I just check the price online.

I've always used my Discovercard Cashback bonus rewards for Staples items, but lately, they've made it a real pain to use them. I used to be able to just put the cert. number right in the order, but the last few times, I've had to call them and give them all the info. If I'm ordering online, I don't feel like making a stinkin' phone call, so I've stopped ordering online from Staples.

The local RadioShack is starting to have better stuff, at better prices, so I go in and shop there.

It's all about who is most convenient, and Staples has stopped being convenient for me. Too bad for them. As far as I'm concerned, as long as the customer isn't being a jackass, it's all about the customer.

 

staples is the biggest office supply place they forgot about customer service.. like wally world and all the others once they get big they forget about customer service

 

I purchased a color laser printer from Staples for our office. Damn good price on a display model, plus the manager gave me a discount on additional cartridges. At the time I was recovering from outpatient surgery and he personally carried and loaded the thing (it was HUGE) into my truck. I would not hesitate to purchase from them again. Office Depot... one of the nearby stores is great... the other sucks.

 

I suspect that you got a store with a manager who is little more than a promoted time-clock puncher. This type of manager only knows how to follow the written corporate policies and fears thinking for him/herself. Good managers know when to bend/break the rules to win the hearts of their customers and cause their store to succeed in the long run.

Jason

 

We have staples and only Staples and there customer service is not all good....Nuff said before my blood pressure spikes... There rewards program is a fat scam