Staples: Back to School

[minniebeth]

I just shopped Staples, Target and Walmart today for school supplies and Staples was most definately the most expensive by almost double prices on the very same brands such as Avery (binders), Crayola, and Bic, Expo and other writing tools. I know you can get the penny deals several weeks ahead and for teachers, the teacher discounts, but for individual shopping it is way more. My DD needed a lot of binders and I went there for the buy 3 get 1 free deal but later saw the very same binders in both Target and Walmart for AT LEAST $3 to $5 cheaper for each binder.

My kids' school does a school supply kit that you can order all the supplies ahead of time each year, and last year the majority of the items were Staples brand and everything fell apart after a few weeks use.
I guess it's all what your experience with it is...

 

[pixiedustaholic]

WoW!! I'm sitting here very amused at this thread. Anyone who doesn't go right along and agree with the OP is getting blasted. Don't you guys know not to state your actual opinions!

 

[amamax2]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but I have a Staples related question. How old do you think kids should be before they can buy some of the sale items with limits? When the paper was on sale last week I asked at a couple stores if one of my kids could get a few packs as well. At one store they said sure, at the other they said no. My kids are 9, BTW.

My kids are now 10 & 12, but for several years (so probably when the youngest was 6 or 7) I've brought them with me and had them get the allowed amount. I give them the money and whatever we are buying when we get in line, then they stand behind me in line to purchase. The cashiers have never had a problem - in fact usually think they are cute "paying" themselves - and usually bag all our stuff together.

Ps I do the same thing at Michael's with the 40% off coupons - I often have several.

 

[Leajess99]

I actually went and bought my 11 year old dd 2 binders from Staples tonight. Did I pay more than at Wally or Target?? Sure did but these are built to last unlike the one she got from Walmart that fell apart in 2 days (no joke either). I decided to spend a little more now and save down the road because I do not want to be replacing her binders every week until I finally find one that may last.

As for buying technology at Staples, I have had better luck with them taking stuff back than I have with Office Depot. I bought a mouse that ended up not working with my laptop and no where was it posted at OD that the policy was 14 days. On day 15 I took it back and the manager came over and moved a stack of flyers to show me their policy. I won't shop OD here again.

 

[NYCDiane]

WoW!! I'm sitting here very amused at this thread. Anyone who doesn't go right along and agree with the OP is getting blasted. Don't you guys know not to state your actual opinions!

It's not a matter of anyone getting blasted --- although I have been directly insulted by people on this thread, as well as being "blasted" by people (but I guess you didn't see that).

It's a matter of FACTUAL versus OPINION..... It is a FACT that Staples prices are much higher (in many cases double) that stores like Wal Mart or Target. It's also a FACT that Staples has "penny deals" that people flock to the store for, only to pay inflated prices for other items.

I'm very amused by the fact that people don't see that. They think that by "shopping early" and running to Staples weekly for "penny deals" they're saving money....

 

[NYCDiane]

What I love is people who assume or comment that places like Staples are so much more expensive on items! Guess when you don't shop early knowing from basic school supplies year in and year out you really wouldn't know that they aren't more expensive.

I can only guess you have reading comprehension issues.... had you read my reply, I clearly stated the supply list this year was completely different than any other year.... Maybe you wouldn't be so :: if you would have actually read and understood what was written in my reply. Had I used your "common sense" I would have wasted a whole lot of money on crap I couldn't use... Instead, I used actual common sense, waited for the actual list and got everything I needed (except the Avery binders, which are $3-$4 more expensive at Staples than they are at Wal Mart or Target)

 

[Leajess99]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but I have a Staples related question. How old do you think kids should be before they can buy some of the sale items with limits? When the paper was on sale last week I asked at a couple stores if one of my kids could get a few packs as well. At one store they said sure, at the other they said no. My kids are 9, BTW.

My youngest is now 6 and has been buying stuff since she was 4. It helps when we go to places like Staples for the penny deals and she and the other kids can buy as well. I stock up on school supplies because I do not want to be running out in the middle of the school year and spending a fortune on them then because no sales. Right now we have a ton of crayons and glue sticks because that is what my youngest's class ran out of last year. I have no problems storing and sometimes they even last until the next school year. I got the crayons and glue sticks at Meijer this year as that was the cheapest place for them. I also got 5 pack erasers for a dime so I bought 5 packs of those because they will get used. We don't go wrong on the single subject notebooks either as the kids love to write and draw and for 1 to 5 cents it is not a waste.

 

[NYCDiane]

Here it is again in case you missed it:


Quote:
Originally Posted by azdizzymom;33111517

Each year don't your children (assuming elementary age) need glue sticks, crayons, pencils, colored pencils and paper (wide ruled for grade 2-3 and above) and either wide or college ruled for upper grades and middle and high school?

Wrong. This is the first year she hasn't needed markers or crayons. Never needed loose leaf paper until this year.

Don't they if upper and middle or high school need single subject notebooks.

Wrong again. They don't use single subject notebooks. It's 2 subject notebooks put inside a binder, along with a folder inside the binder for each subject.

:
It appears this would be common sense if you shop yearly.

Apparently not and I'm glad I used my common sense and waited until I had the list in my hands to shop. I would have wasted a lot of money had I made an assumption on what supplies she would need.

:
I use common sense and know what they will probably need

Again, NOT "common sense" if you're buying things you don't need. Had I gone and bought 10-15 marble notebooks or 1 subject spirals, they would just be sitting around since they're only using 2 subject spirals this year (and probably next year, too, since she's in Junior High now)

:
Guess we are different in our bargain shopping.

It's not a bargain if you're buying something you don't need. That's like someone buying something just because they have a coupon for it.

 

[Pirate1+Princess4]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but I have a Staples related question. How old do you think kids should be before they can buy some of the sale items with limits? When the paper was on sale last week I asked at a couple stores if one of my kids could get a few packs as well. At one store they said sure, at the other they said no. My kids are 9, BTW.

I know other families with multiples who take their kids shopping with them so they can get all they need for all their kids. If the limit on 2 pocket folders is 5 and each kid needs 4, then a family with quads or quints would need more than the limit. Same for any large family. EACH child is a customer. EACH child has that need for those supplies. I don't see how that is breaking the rules.

I understand the need for limits, otherwise you would have people buying up cases and then there would be none for the rest of us.

Yes, I'm guilty of "stocking up" when there are no limits. But it's on the items I know we'll use in our own household. Or I donate to supply drive any extras I have. I don't buy a case of Crayola, but I do make sure we have enough to start school and enough for Santa and Easter Bunny, and a few to add to birthday party gifts and other causes.

What I'm trying to figure out is why my 1st graders need TWO boxes of 8-count Crayola (regular not fat) and 2 boxes of 24-count Crayola. Why the 8-counts????? And why does the teacher have to put them all out on the first day? Can't she wait until January to put 1/2 of them out?

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

I love the STAPLES penny deals and Free after Rebate deals!! I do them every year, even though my kids don't get supply lists for school because the school provides everything. I like to have the stuff on hand for home projects and things like that. When I go to Staples to do these deals, I never buy anything else because I do find their prices high.

 

[hippiechicken]

I love Staples. The sales there are amazing. I've been going every week for the past month to stock up on the $1-2 items and the FREE items. How can you beat 1 cent paper, spirals, free pens and pencils, $1 notecards, etc...
Also, there binders are the longest lasting ones my daughter has ever used. And if the rings separate, you can take it back to exchange it.
The rebate checks always come within 2-3 weeks for me.
Also, sometimes the signs say limit 5 per household, instead of per person. They usually let teachers have double though!!
Yep, I love Staples!!

 

[kydisneyfans]

Wow-I'll bite.

I have not bought 1 thing at Wal Mart or Target for BTS this year. Their prices are too high. I like the Meijer ad where they took an actual Wal Mart BTS ad, crossed out their high prices, put in the Meijer prices, and titled it-"This store fails when it comes to low prices".

My items have come from 3 places: CVS, Meijer, and gulp, Staples. All CVS items have been free after extra bucks, I just keep rolling them. Meijer had great prices on Kleenex, notebooks, and other needed items. Staples has been great for penny, nickel, and dime items. I have no problem going in and getting 5 packs of notebook paper only. I am unaware of any other retailer that has had repeated promotions for 500 sheets of computer printer paper for $1, even if it is after submitting a 2 minute online rebate. $1 for paper at Staples vs $3 at Wal Mart and $4 at Target is a no brainer here.

If you don't have a Staples close, then it makes no sense to go 20 miles out of the way to save a buck on notebook paper. For me though, Staples has been great this year for stocking up.

 

[andymattmom]

Another Staples vote...I live where Staples, Meijer, Walmart, Walgreens and Target are within 1/2 mile of each other. In the past couple of weeks I have been in every store buying cheap supplies. If we don't use the supplies I buy I will use them or give them to teachers. Those 1 cent 1 subject notebooks are great to track Weight Watchers point...use the paper to make grocery lists, write a quick note to the teacher and writing down things to remember for trips. The cheap glue sticks or glue if my child doesn't need that I spend 5 cents on will come in handy the night before that project is due that we just remembered. I have the posterboard that I bought cheap (even though the supply list doesn't say needed) to do the project on!

I don't understand those saying the binders are $3-8 more at Staples...I assume we are talking about the standard plastic 1 inch on up binders. I bough 1 inch ones this week for $2.99...so I am assuming they are free at Walmart then if the are $3 more at Staples!

It appears we all like/dislike our certain stores. Some of us buy ahead and some wait till lists come out others don't. Some of us are kind to the teachers who lots of time spend THEIR OWN MONEY on supplies for students and donate to the classrooms....others choose not to. I give to teachers my children have had in the past if I find games/books and things they might use. Please remember the teachers don't get much money and end up lots of time spending their own...this might be because someone "forgot" money for the field trip, not every student brought in the 2 boxes of Kleenex and they ran out (there are the kids who go and use a Kleenex because their friend did/to avoid doing work, etc) and teachers run out.

Whatever...I buy ahead and if I don't use will donate to someplace. A daycare could always use the extra crayons, doctors office, shelter for abused women with kids could use supplies so kids could color on the 1 cent notebook with the 25 cent crayons. Something to think about...spending $1 more and helping those who might not be able to afford.

Guess we are all different in what we do and how we do things and places we shop.

 

[andymattmom]

sorry hit enter twice....

 

[azdizzymom]

OP you feel you have been personally attacked?
We all have our views and opinions.

I disagree with your view on FACT vs. OPINION....a fact would be today is August 12, 2009. An OPINION is Staples is more expensive...that is your OPINION. My OPINION is it is not more expensive. It is not a FACT that Staples is more expensive.

It is a FACT I purchase ahead of time. It is a FACT that you purchase once you get a list. It will be a personal OPINION on which is better.

It appears lots of people like Staples and lots of people like other stores for sales. It appears lots of people shop ahead of time and lots of people shop once the list is received.

I kindly disagree with your opinions and know you disagree with mine. End of it on my part as I have come to an understanding on FACT VS. OPINON and it is different than yours.

fact  /fækt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [fakt] Show IPA
Use fact in a Sentence
–noun 1. something that actually exists; reality; truth: Your fears have no basis in fact.
2. something known to exist or to have happened: Space travel is now a fact.
3. a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true: Scientists gather facts about plant growth.
4. something said to be true or supposed to have happened: The facts given by the witness are highly questionable.
5. Law. Often, facts. an actual or alleged event or circumstance, as distinguished from its legal effect or consequence. Compare question of fact, question of law.

 

[lindsmom]

It's also a FACT that Staples has "penny deals" that people flock to the store for, only to pay inflated prices for other items.

I'm very amused by the fact that people don't see that. They think that by "shopping early" and running to Staples weekly for "penny deals" they're saving money....

This is a retail marketing method called "loss leaders." Every store does it. Even walmart and target. The items on the front page are advertised at ridiculous prices (bananas for 9 cents a pound, chicken for $1 per pound, t shirts for $2 each). The company has no intention of making any money on the product - the whole point is to get the consumer in for the cheap purchase, and buy (as you pointed out) full retail items while in the store. Target this week has backpacks for $9. Probably their loss leader this week.

Walmart has crayola products for $1 (colored pencils) and 4/$1 (crayons). Toys R us has the same prices this week.

It's marketing, and no one company is sneakier (staples) than another. Every company does it (except trader joe's and a few select others), and the consumer has to decide what's worth going out of their way or not. Now I'm off to Staples to "cherry pick" my penny notebooks

 

[NYCDiane]

....a fact would be today is August 12, 2009. An OPINION is Staples is more expensive...that is your OPINION. My OPINION is it is not more expensive. It is not a FACT that Staples is more expensive.

You can't have an opinion on whether one price is more expensive than antoher . A price is what it is:


FACT: Wal Mart carries Crayola Crayons 24 pk for 25 cents
Staples carries Crayola Crayons 25 pk for 1.89

FACT: Wal Mart carries Avery Heavy Duty Binders for $4.97
Staples carries Avery Heavy Duty Binders for $8.97

FACT: Wal Mart carries Elmer's Glue sticks (2/pk) for 25 cents
Staples carries glue sticks 2/pk for $1.50

FACT: Wal Mart carries Crayola Markers 10pk for $1
Staples carries Crayola Markers 10 pk for $2.50

FACT: Wal Mart charges between $21 - $23 for Dell Ink
Staples charges between $25-$30 for Dell Ink


I could go on and on, but it's obvious that it's a FACT that Staples has higher prices than Wal Mart or Target (of course, we're not talking about penny loose leaf or 1 subject spiral notebooks that they lure you into the store with)

Okay, I'm out of this thread... FACT is FACT... OPINION is something based upon ones personal thoughts or experience and it is a FACT that Staples is more expensive over the long run that other stores such as Wal Mart or Target.

 

[azdizzymom]

You can't have an opinion on whether one price is more expensive than antoher . A price is what it is:


FACT: Wal Mart carries Crayola Crayons 24 pk for 25 cents
Staples carries Crayola Crayons 25 pk for 1.89

FACT: Wal Mart carries Avery Heavy Duty Binders for $4.97
Staples carries Avery Heavy Duty Binders for $8.97

FACT: Wal Mart carries Elmer's Glue sticks (2/pk) for 25 cents
Staples carries glue sticks 2/pk for $1.50

FACT: Wal Mart carries Crayola Markers 10pk for $1
Staples carries Crayola Markers 10 pk for $2.50

FACT: Wal Mart charges between $21 - $23 for Dell Ink
Staples charges between $25-$30 for Dell Ink


I could go on and on, but it's obvious that it's a FACT that Staples has higher prices than Wal Mart or Target (of course, we're not talking about penny loose leaf or 1 subject spiral notebooks that they lure you into the store with)

Okay, I'm out of this thread... FACT is FACT... OPINION is something based upon ones personal thoughts or experience and it is a FACT that Staples is more expensive over the long run that other stores such as Wal Mart or Target.

FACT...you only quote what is cheaper at Walmart.

FACT Walmart has 1 subject spirl 70 sheet notebooks fo 15 CENTS...Staples 1 cent this week.

FACT Walmart has Dry erase markers for $3.50...Staples FREE after rebate this week. Easy to do online to save $3.50

FACT..you made an error in the notebooks. This week I paid NOT ON SALE 2.99 for an Avery Durable Notebook 1" size at Staples. Walmart has it in the ad for $2.50...49 CENTS cheaper...not the $5 or so you are claiming.

And yes I could go on and on and on too on what staples is cheaper on...

Also the copy paper for $2.50 at Walmart...only $1.00 at Staples this week.

TI84 Calculator...same price at both stores.

Walmart Avery 5 tab plastic dividers $2.50 each....Staples 10 tab plastic dividers Avery $2.49 (lets see I get 10 more for a penny less)

Also, if I get lured into Staples to buy the penny items and FAR items that doesn't mean I will buy something that I know I can get cheaper someplace else. So if I am lured to Walmart for the great bargains I won't be buying things I know I can get cheaper at Staples.

I love bargain shopping at Staples!

 

[kydisneyfans]

FACT...you only quote what is cheaper at Walmart.

FACT Walmart has 1 subject spirl 70 sheet notebooks fo 15 CENTS...Staples 1 cent this week.

FACT Walmart has Dry erase markers for $3.50...Staples FREE after rebate this week. Easy to do online to save $3.50

FACT..you made an error in the notebooks. This week I paid NOT ON SALE 2.99 for an Avery Durable Notebook 1" size at Staples. Walmart has it in the ad for $2.50...49 CENTS cheaper...not the $5 or so you are claiming.

And yes I could go on and on and on too on what staples is cheaper on...

Also the copy paper for $2.50 at Walmart...only $1.00 at Staples this week.

TI84 Calculator...same price at both stores.

Walmart Avery 5 tab plastic dividers $2.50 each....Staples 10 tab plastic dividers Avery $2.49 (lets see I get 10 more for a penny less)

Also, if I get lured into Staples to buy the penny items and FAR items that doesn't mean I will buy something that I know I can get cheaper someplace else. So if I am lured to Walmart for the great bargains I won't be buying things I know I can get cheaper at Staples.

I love bargain shopping at Staples!

and if you use the $5 off $50 in the Staples ad, that calculator is $5 cheaper than Wal Mart. You also get points on your Staples reward card for further discounts off anything in the store.

 

[Leajess99]

You can't have an opinion on whether one price is more expensive than antoher . A price is what it is:


FACT: Wal Mart carries Crayola Crayons 24 pk for 25 cents
Staples carries Crayola Crayons 25 pk for 1.89

FACT: Wal Mart carries Avery Heavy Duty Binders for $4.97
Staples carries Avery Heavy Duty Binders for $8.97

FACT: Wal Mart carries Elmer's Glue sticks (2/pk) for 25 cents
Staples carries glue sticks 2/pk for $1.50

FACT: Wal Mart carries Crayola Markers 10pk for $1
Staples carries Crayola Markers 10 pk for $2.50

FACT: Wal Mart charges between $21 - $23 for Dell Ink
Staples charges between $25-$30 for Dell Ink

I could go on and on, but it's obvious that it's a FACT that Staples has higher prices than Wal Mart or Target (of course, we're not talking about penny loose leaf or 1 subject spiral notebooks that they lure you into the store with)

Okay, I'm out of this thread... FACT is FACT... OPINION is something based upon ones personal thoughts or experience and it is a FACT that Staples is more expensive over the long run that other stores such as Wal Mart or Target.

Since when did Walmart start carrying DELL ink?? And I pay $16.99 for Dell ink which is a dollar more than ordering it from Dell for my black and the color is $20.99 or 19.99 at Dell. Hmmmmmmm, I don't think Staples is making a killing off Dell ink.