Staples Cedar Rapids

This store is close to my location so I’ve tried it several times. It’s consistently understaffed, meaning that customer service is terrible. Others in my office have experienced the same treatment. The last time I visited the First Av. SE location, their computer was so slow that I left in frustration after at least ten minutes — without the item I needed. AND the internet said they DID have the item or I would not have wasted time going there. As a company we have never been happy with the ‘service’ this store is supposedly providing. I see this as a store in need of new management or it will close…

I’ve been here a handful of times for print jobs and to grab other random office items. Staff is friendly and there always seems to be enough people working that someone always asks me if I need help with anything. Last time I was here they had deeply discounted Yankee Candles. Jar size. I candle that was originally $ 30 was on clearance for less than $ 10. Every now and then you can find awesome markdowns as this. If you’re stocking up on office supplies I’d go elsewhere though. Staples is pricey. Bulk items like envelopes, pens, paper and packing supplies are so much cheaper at Sam’s Club or Walmart. Will return because someone is always available to help if I need it and you can get in and out quickly. Ultimately ³⁄₅ stars because they are expensive and I’m always looking for a good deal.

I really want to like Staples. The store is convenient to me and they run some pretty decent sales from time to time. But their policies are arbitrary and their customer service is perhaps the worst in the industry (of course I haven’t tried everyone in the industry yet, but they got my vote). Here’s the latest example: Staples advertises a price match guaranty, just bring in the ad and they’ll match it. Or so they say. I came in Sunday with the Office Max bag that was in the paper. It said, 20% off anything that fits in the bag. I had one regular priced item (about $ 17) that I wanted to use the discount on. I asked the checker if they honored it, which he replied «yes». Then he asked another Staples employee how to enter it and he said they received an email from corporate that they would NOT be accepting the bag, because Staples considers it «an event.» Really? Like what sale isn’t an event? I guess they only honor non-​event sales (my favorite kind!). That’s bush league and just plain sad. I guess I need to head across town for my tech equipment from now on…