Staples Orders

[IW]

Well, it happened again. Staples accepted my order and the status said that it would be shipped UPS. They sent me the 99 cent item that made the order high enough for a discount code to apply and then a few days later the order status has now been changed to say -- Item(s) Not Available.

* This time it's for the APC UPS unit.

* Last time it was for the sound blaster board.

Same routine each time.

It seems that we should all be aware that Staples online ordering leaves a lot to be desired and that the status of the order can't be trusted. There seems to be little connection with real inventory and what the Web information reports. If you don't get your order placed within a couple of hours of the start of a good sale item my experience is now that I'm unlikely to see it even though the original status indicates that all is fine for many days.

Maybe it's a waste of time trying to deal with Staples at all. Anything that is a nice bargain here in the Silicon Valley area is instantly gone from the stores so unless one is willing to stand in line when a store opens you're unlikely to be able to purchase it.

Really an annoying process for me trying to deal with them!

[elroy]

I am currntly fighting with Staples over a $30 rebate for an Epson printer. I sent it in and they sent me a $10 rebate for a Brother Fax machine, WHAT ???

[crazyray]

Fortunately, I live in the boonies, and the local Staples often has the items I want without waiting for them to open the door Sunday morning.

I have grown tired of the rebate game in general. I think I'll stick with my PIII 800EB until something VERY compelling comes along.

[Nick CPU]

test

[Cody]

Staples did the same for my Lexmark. One $10 rebate, and a $20 one.

Don't know why.

[lai918]

I also have a very bad experience with them. I didn't even get my rebate as they didn't send me the receipt. Actually not once...but twice ..The recent one is they cancel my order.

[TOAD6147]

lai918,
You don't really need the "reciept" they send(?) you. Just go to their website and access your account for past orders and print out the order with the item you need a reciept for. In the future, when you place an on-line order, save or print out the confirmation page and you won't have so many problems. In the end people, no one is perfect, especially a company as big as Staples. They, like all of us, make mistakes and are not infalable. They will, however, always be fair in one way or another. I think the split rebate on the Lexmark printer had something to do with a snafu between Lexmark and them but Staples is trying to make good on it. I called them because I was getting the run around on mine and I finally called the Staples rebate center and the guy took me at my word and said he would be sending a check out in 15 days. I may have to follow up on it but I have NO doubt that it will come and I have NO doubt that they don't purposely try to screw people.

[tazman]

Staples has left a very bad taste in my mouth as a company and I would never concider doing business online with them as they can't seem to get their act together on the local front.

I too live in the boonies and the only stores around a 70 mile area is Staples and Radio Shaft (CrapUSA 75 miles 1 way). If I drive 30 miles in either direction, I can be at a new Staples. The problem is that when I go to pick up an item that I absolutly need now and can't wait to order online, I spend most of the time in the store helping customers and the rest waiting in line:( The staff is completley in the fog when it comes to any computer hardware and it frustrates customers.

Being in the boonies, 90% of my purchases for my business is done online with about 30+ sites that I have had faily good luck with - Staples is not the only game out there:)

ME

[bhess]

I had a problem when they shipped a pen seperately in a box first. When the rest of the order didn't go through I called a CSR. I told her I tried returning the pen to the local store and they didn't know what to do. Staples will send someone to your house to pick up an item. She had common sense and just took the item off my credit card.
I do hate when the ship a pen seperately. What a waste of money.

[GrimBo]

I was considering buying a printer from these ppl. I'm glad I read everyones report. All of you have saved me a great deal of time.

[TOAD6147]

GrimBo,
I could almost guarantee that for every bad experience with Staples that wasn't resolved in the customer's favor, there are at least 100 good or favorable ones that went without a flaw. I've spent thousands at Staples.com over the past year or so and I have a very good overall opinion of my bussiness experience with them. As I posted earlier, if you expect perfection 100% of the time then you are partial to fairy tales. Nobody can give you that. Staples will treat you as good, but in most circustances, better than the average on-line vendor and I'm sure Doc would agree with me on that.

[GrimBo]

I guess the negative will always surface before the good and in light of what your telling me, I will give them the benifiet of the doubt. Thanks.:)

[bill1971]

Very poor inventory control and on-line ordering experience. E-mail Customer Service about the problem,voicing your disappointment and discontent. Be firm, but not "nasty", in other words, be professional.
They've always given me an even better deal this way, if you're
willing to put up with the hassle. . .
You really can't beat an on-line deal involving good sale prices,
kicking in an extra discount via an on-line code, plus free shipping,
(when the plan comes together, that is). I think of it as a game ;
sometimes you win(pretty big), and sometimes you lose.

- bill

[IW]

I did, as suggested, e-mail then telephone, expressing my concern about how my order was treated. I only received in return the "crazy customer canned letter #3" or similar in return. At least with the last bargain from Staples I did get the item.

Like others, though, I'm annoyed at receiving a box of paper clips inside a monster box, delivered several days before I am able to see that my order isn't going to be filled on their web site. At least one was only 18 cents plus tax but what a way to run a business!

:confused:

[cheapster]

I recently had a minor hassle with Staples on line as well. Ordered a Maxtor 40 gig 5400 rpm hard drive (and a couple of pencil erasers to get over $100 for the $25 off $100 coupon). Like others have noted, the erasers arrived first, by themselves and then I was informed that the hard drive would arrive later. A week or so later, my hard drive shows up along with an invoice for $99.94 plus tax. I figure they just messed up the invoice, but then I check my credit card statement and they show the $1.35 charge for the erasers and a week later the $107.94 charge for the hard drive. Meaning I did not get credit for my $25 off coupon. I emailed them a copy of my original order confirmation showing the $25 off coupon code and my net cost of about $82 including sales tax. I also politely inform them to either credit my credit card for the amount of the coupon or send me RMA instructions because I only wanted the drive if I got it for the sale price less coupon. (If I was going to pay $100+ for a hard drive, it would have been a 7200 rpm drive!) After a couple of follow up e-mails and finally a "last chance before RMA" phone call, (at least they have an 800 number) they agreed to credit back my credit card for the coupon. So I am satisfied, since they did finally honor their agreement, but it was a minor hassle. I would still order again, since this is the first time I have had a problem and they ultimately did take care of it. The previous 7 or 8 orders went just fine. They frequently offer great deals when you combine their sale items with the coupon codes.
Chuck :D