Staples Review

Thanks to the recent closing of a couple of Office Depot stores near me, Staples is the only large office supply store nearby. The store near me has a nice selection of office supply items, at less than full retail price. However, their prices are not competitive.

I have found that Office Depot's prices are a little less that Staples on the iterms I use - pencils, pens, storage, paper. Plus, Office Depot usually has online coupons available for purchases of $50 or more and Staples does not.

Where Staples really shines, though, is their rewards plan and specifically their rewards for recycled cartridges. For the last several months, Staples will provide $3 in reward cash for ink cartridges recycled at the store. Any brans qualifies. This is great for me, as the Canon Pixma IP4300 I use takes 5 ink cartridges and consumes them heavily.

Rewards accumulate and a coupon is sent in the mail quarterly. The coupon can be used on any items in the store. Even better, sales tax is not charged on items purchased with the coupon until the coupon is exhausted. In my area (suburban Chicago), that amounts to a 10% bonus.

The local store has adequate customer service.

On balance, they are ok for immediate needs and the recycled cartridge plan is great.