Does anyone know if you can get Staples to PM for an online purchase?

(i.e. send info via Staples website for PM, then buy item online with the new discount)

If so, can you use a coupon with the purchase as well?

Yes. You have to buy the item first at Staples' indicated price. You can use a $-off coupon.

Then when you get the order confirmation e-mail that indicates when they'll ship, reply to that with your request for PM. Include enough information, e.g. URL to competitor's web page, so they can verify the PM.

When they accept your PM they'll issue your charge card a credit for the amount of the PM.

Thanks!

But then if the coupon reduces the price to less that the competitor, will Staples still allow the PM promotion based on the original price that they were charging?

I found a page on Staples' website where you can enter in PM info (http://www.staples.ca/support/conta...ype=price_match) -- which is why I was asking if you can get them to apply that.... hopefully before the coupon.

Does this make sense?

The $-off coupon has nothing to do with PM. Some people have reported that sometimes Staples will try to include the coupon in the calculation, but that's simply wrong from my reading of PM and coupon policy.

Do not confuse $-off coupons with instant rebates. The latter are included in the PM calculation since they are specific to the item you're buying. The $-off coupons on the other hand are general incentives to get you to buy a certain minimum amount of merchandise.

My own preference is to phone in the order. That way you get to deal with a person, and you can argue, refer to Staples own rules, etc. on the spot if there are any disagreements. By the time you hang up you know how much you're paying and the amount that's coming off your charge card. With online purchases you may have to send several e-mails, each of which gets handled by a different associate, and then you have two (or more) transactions on your card.

First deal with the PM. They may want to phone the competitor to verify the price and availability. If they're going to factor in the competitor's next-day shipping charges they'll do so at this point.

Once you've agreed to the sale price (net of PM), then and only then say that you'll also be using $-off coupon nnnnn. I've done this several times and never had a problem.

BTW the PM is valid for 14 days after purchase. Once I bought a CF card using a PM from Dell. A few days later Dell dropped their price some more. I simply faxed Staples the new Dell page with the lower price and they issued a further credit

I realize that some people have had problems with PM. My experience is that if you have your facts at hand, you know Staples own rules better than they do and you remain polite but firm in your conversations, you'll get what you're entitled to.

P.S. You can use the online PM form that you linked to, but I prefer to simply reply to their e-mail. That way they have the order number and related details right in the e-mail. Also, with e-mail you can attach screen prints, scanned ads and other relevant PM stuff that you can't do with their form.

Bylo, I nominate you for the position of Staples PM King!

I've linked to this thread from the Staples page:
http://goldfishlegs.ca/deals/bystor..._Business_Depot

Thanks Costa

Here's an example that shows why I think it's better to PM by phone than by e-mail or online.

Suppose you see something that Staples sells for $150, but that StoreX sells for $100. You call Staples and ask for a PM. First they'll call StoreX to verify: 1. That it's the same item (e.g. not an OEM "barebones" version of what Staples sells in a retail package with accessories, etc.) 2. The price. 3. That it's in stock. 4. The cost of next-day shipping. Now assuming the first 3 items check out, they'll add the cost of 4. to StoreX's price. So if StoreX charges $10 for next-day shipping, Staples will PM with $110, not $100. The difference is now $150-$110 or $40. Staples will charge you $110 plus sales tax(es), then deduct $20 (50% of the difference). There's no tax on the $20 because it's not considered part of the sale price (according to what Staples told me.) BTW if you have a $-off coupon, they should apply it against the $110 if they want to be consistent with their own logic about how to apply the taxes.

If you can follow the above procedure then you now know more about Staples' PM policy than most of their staff do and you also understand why I prefer to do this over the phone rather than online

Truly THE BEST Deal EVER!

Here it is: About two years ago I bought 5.1 Logitech speakers, half decent speakers paid $120. After two years they stopped working, I called Logitech to see about a warrenty on them. Which there was but it was only for 1 year. So I went down to Staples, told them that I have lost my reciept for the speakers and that my son bought them about a year ago, not sure of the price but we know he paid cash. (when asking for fake reciept always say u paid in cash). Shortly they came back with reciept saying that they found a reciept and I paid $69.97 Clearance for them. "Yup thats my reciept !" I phoned logitech again told them that I had a reciept for the speakers. The Logitech rep told me that they will send me the updated version of the speakers I bought, valued at $130 in Staples. Once I recieved the speakers in the mail from Logitech I went down to Staples to return them for a store merch card valued at $130. The speakers that I now wanted at Staples were the 2.1 Logitech THX speakers Staples price was $199.00. Just my luck Future Shop had the 2.1 speakers on sale! (not sure the sale price but I remember it being very low). So I got Staples to PM Future Shop's sale price, and used my merch card with $130 on it.

I ended up paying $3.50 for $199.00 speakers! (Logitech Z-2300 amazing speakers!)
Did u get all that? lol

Originally posted by Insider25 Truly THE BEST Deal EVER! Here it is: About two years ago I bought 5.1 Logitech speakers, half decent speakers paid $120. After two years they stopped working, I called Logitech to see about a warrenty on them. Which there was but it was only for 1 year. So I went down to Staples, told them that I have lost my reciept for the speakers and that my son bought them about a year ago, not sure of the price but we know he paid cash.

I think it's one thing to take advantage of retail store's policies, but it's another thing to be entirely untruthful about your purchase.

Originally posted by Insider25 Truly THE BEST Deal EVER!

It's pretty easy to get good deals by lieing and coming up with "fake" (your words) receipts. Heck, why limit it to computer peripherals -- this technique can work anywhere.

Originally posted by Insider25 Truly THE BEST Deal EVER! Here it is: About two years ago I bought 5.1 Logitech speakers, half decent speakers paid $120. After two years they stopped working, I called Logitech to see about a warrenty on them. Which there was but it was only for 1 year. So I went down to Staples, told them that I have lost my reciept for the speakers and that my son bought them about a year ago, not sure of the price but we know he paid cash. (when asking for fake reciept always say u paid in cash). Shortly they came back with reciept saying that they found a reciept and I paid $69.97 Clearance for them. "Yup thats my reciept !" I phoned logitech again told them that I had a reciept for the speakers. The Logitech rep told me that they will send me the updated version of the speakers I bought, valued at $130 in Staples. Once I recieved the speakers in the mail from Logitech I went down to Staples to return them for a store merch card valued at $130. The speakers that I now wanted at Staples were the 2.1 Logitech THX speakers Staples price was $199.00. Just my luck Future Shop had the 2.1 speakers on sale! (not sure the sale price but I remember it being very low). So I got Staples to PM Future Shop's sale price, and used my merch card with $130 on it. I ended up paying $3.50 for $199.00 speakers! (Logitech Z-2300 amazing speakers!) Did u get all that? lol

I have a sony camera and I dont have a receipt, what can I do to get a receipt?

Originally posted by JeGna I have a sony camera and I dont have a receipt, what can I do to get a receipt?

Go to the store that you purchased the camera from. Tell them you lost the reciept. If you actually paid for the camera at that store... Estimate the date that you purchased it. Tell them how you paid for it. Ie cash, debit, or credit card. Using your card numbers they can find the reciept for you on their system. If you paid cash for it... they might just give you any reciept they find that paid with cash.

If you want to return it to the store and it's past the in store warrenty. Tell the store that you got the camera as a gift, last week, from a family member and not sure when they bought it. But make sure you tell them that you know they paid cash for it. Ask them to pull up a reciept.

If you want to return the camera to the manufactuer because the store hasnt sold that camera for a long time (out dated). Go to the store you purchased it at ( really you could go to any big box store and do this) And tell the store you've lost your reciept for your camera, but you bought it less than a year ago. And paid cash for the camera. Get them to pull you up a reciept. Then phone the manufacture and tell them your problem with the camera, and tell them you have a reciept to prove your proof of purchase. Usually warrentys are only for 1 year. I definatly encourage everyone to buy the extended warrentys from these big box store when buying thing like cameras! Because these items are brought back A LOT becuase they dont work, but most the time it's after the 30 day in store guarntee.
When you call the manufacture... they will almost try and harrass you so that you dont return the camera to you, so they dont have to send you a new one. Stick to your guns and make up a story... like it malfunctioned. DO NOT tell them something like you dropped it! lol

Tips on returning things to stores... - Look good, be very kind, these things usually work better for women Dont be afraid to flirt. Sounds bad? who ef-ing cares! Women love to flirt to get what we want... doesnt hurt ne one.

BTW... I almost forgot to update on my new scam. lol Get this... I got a new cd player for my car at Christmas. Then about 4 weeks ago I was in a car accident and didnt have a use for the cd player. So I went into Best Buy, lookin pretty damn good. Told them I got the CD player as a gift from my dad, not sure when he bought it, but it was prolly a couple weeks ago . Told them he paid cash. They brought up a reciept for me, asked me if it was mine... and next thing i knew they were giving me $300 back... I love it! I only got 4 months use out of it... but hey got my $ back

Sigh... There's a term for what's described in the above post: fraud

What do you call it when manufacturers produce products that will only last roughly 1 year?

What do you call it when a manufacturer uses mostly plastic parts to save them money and in the long run make them more money when the consumer is forced to purchased a new product?

Or you purchase a product and it stops working, but you dont have the receipt. So you cant take it back to the manufacturer or the store either. Is it then your fault? Who do you think made up these rules!? AGAIN... its the manufacturers just trying to make a buck even if it means screwing over the customer.

Why do we have to shop and play by their rules? WE are the ones putting the money into their hands. We should have the right to buy a product and expect years of use out of it. And why shouldnt we?

At my store there are two BIG names that are the worst for retuned/ defective digital cameras, and those are Sony and Kodak. Ever pick one of those up? Compare it to a Canon digital camera. The Kodak and Sony brand is made from mostly plastic parts. And made over all cheaply. Go figure...

Who is getting scamed?
-You the consumer who doesnt have their receipt to return defective product?
Or the multi million dollar company who saves money by making cheap products with a large mark up?

Go ahead and tell me...

But in the end I wont be the sucker

Originally posted by Insider25 What do you call it when manufacturers produce products that will only last roughly 1 year?

I doubt most manufacturers build products that are intended to last only one year in normal use. Perhaps you could provide some proof of this?

What do you call it when a manufacturer uses mostly plastic parts to save them money and in the long run make them more money when the consumer is forced to purchased a new product?

There are lots of products made entirely of plastic that last for years.

Consumers who believe a product didn't last "long enough" usually don't buy more products from the same manufacturer and/or tell their friends about it. With the rise of the Internet, the latter especially can be devastating. Go further still and complain to the CEO of the manufacturer and/or the consumer affairs reporter at your local newspaper or TV station. If the amount of your loss is significant, consider going to small claims court.

These sorts of measures are sufficient disincentive for reputable manufacturers to intentionally produce shoddy merchandise. And you don't have to be dishonest to make your point.

Or you purchase a product and it stops working, but you dont have the receipt. So you cant take it back to the manufacturer or the store either. Is it then your fault?

Absolutely! The onus is on you to provide proof that you purchased the product from a legitimate retailer (as opposed to, say, shoplifted it or bought it from a grey market source) and proof of when you purchased it (so the manufacturer or retailer can determine if it's still under warranty.) If you can't be bothered to keep the receipt then don't blame others.

Who do you think made up these rules!? AGAIN... its the manufacturers just trying to make a buck even if it means screwing over the customer.

Perhaps the manufacturers and retailers are also trying to prevent getting ripped off by fraud artists like you? In the end it's the rest of us who have to pay for losses due to fraud, theft and scams by dishonest customers.

Why do we have to shop and play by their rules? WE are the ones putting the money into their hands. We should have the right to buy a product and expect years of use out of it. And why shouldnt we?

No one forces you to buy an item if you don't like its quality, the warranty terms, and/or the reputation of the manufacturer and/or retailer, etc. If you don't like what you see then go elsewhere. Do your homework before you buy a product. There are all sorts of websites that can help you make wise purchases.

(One demonstration of the power of bad publicity is what happened when Hyundai first started selling cars in NA. They quickly earned a bad reputation for lousy quality and reliability. Their sales plunged as customers bought Japanese cars instead. So Hyundai improved the quality of their products and started offering 10-year warranties on major parts. Their reputation improved and their sales increased. Today their warranties are back in line with their competitors and their sales are up.)

At my store there are two BIG names that are the worst for retuned/ defective digital cameras, and those are Sony and Kodak. Ever pick one of those up? Compare it to a Canon digital camera. The Kodak and Sony brand is made from mostly plastic parts. And made over all cheaply. Go figure...

So don't buy Sony or Kodak products. Instead buy Canon. (News item: Canon cameras also have 1-year warranties, require a receipt, etc., etc.)

But in the end I wont be the sucker

Even if your thesis that manufacturers intentionally make shoddy merchandise is correct, that still doesn't give you license to scam/defraud them back. Two wrongs don't make a right.