January 2011 Archives

For many things, I'm happy to go to Staples -- especially since they now have a printing and basics outlet right next to the local post office where I go to pick up my mail. For example, I get our toiletpaper, in bulk, from Staples (not this nearby one). Ditto paper, the very occasional printer cartridge, and sundries.

Staples "Rewards" program, while it's gone through increasingly less easy revisions in the past year or so -- from credit to something they mail me -- is simple enough in terms of when I make purchases. Ditto many of their sales. In particular, their "Free Batteries" deal -- buy a 20-pack of AA or AAA batteries, get 100% of that money credited back to my Staples Rewards account within a month or so. Since I know I'm going to spend that money sooner or later (e.g., on toiletpaper), that's free batteries in return for tieing up a few tens of dollars or a month or so.  (I do use rechargable batteries where possible -- but it's not always possible.)

But, annoyingly, when it comes to rebates, Staples remains old-school PITF (Pain In The Fundament). E.g., this week, Staples is offering a $5.99 rebate on a $10.99 ream of colored, heavier-stock paper... which I have a use for.

Buying the paper: easy.

There's no technical reason Staples couldn't automatically populate the rebate information at time of purchase. My Staples Rewards account has all the needed info, after all.

But no. I have to take the frigging receipt, use my computer to go to the frelling web site, and RE-FRACKING-ENTER data by FNORDING HAND -- which took (I timed it) aroudn five and a half minutes.

And then wait 6-8 FRICKING WEEKS for a FUGGIN' REBATE. At least, this time around, Staples offered the option (which I took them up on) of having the rebate go to my PayPal account.

I'm not the only person who feels this way, either; see Steve Garfield's Off On A Tangent blog posting from a year ago, Staples Easy Rebates Are Not Easy, (which is where I found the "Not Easy!" graphic).

Rebates: Not Easy!

Taking some of my business elsewhere: Not hard!

Complaining: Easy!

Update:In mid-February, Staples announced it would be making things somewhat less un-easy, e.g. switching from mailed checks to PayPal. That still doesn't address the question of why I have to spend five and a half minutes manually entering information that is already in the system when the register is spitting out my receipt. (I know, the answer is, rebates cost less than sales. Feh.)