I would just like to offer my own thoughts on Staples, I am neither fond of or dusgusted by the shop for reasons that you will see now throughout this review. I am rating my own local store, for which I have frequented this week - this is why I am now writing a revview on it! I cannot speak ... Read review
Staples is probably by far one of the largest suppliers in the country, for office and/ or home equipment. By this is meant anything from desks; through computers (along with all of their related accessories); through printing and photocopying services, right down notebooks pens and staples (literally). The stock they sell is top brand names (Epsom; HP; Canon etc etc etc), but in terms of ink cartridges etc they do in fact sell ... ...- usually at about 3/4 the price.
My local shop is built right in the city centre, but is still based around one of those 'warehousey' style designs rather just like those large out of town DIY places. As soon as you walk in to theh shop, you are greeted by floor to ceiling shelves with rows of goods on them all just waiting to be purchased by the awaiting British oublic. Of coure, in order to get to the higher stock it is best to ... more
I would just like to offer my own thoughts on Staples, I am neither fond of or dusgusted by the shop for reasons that you will see now throughout this review. I am rating my own local store, for which I have frequented this week - this is why I am now writing a revview on it! I cannot speak for other stores, as I have not been in to them.
Staples is probably by far one of the largest suppliers in the country, for office and/ or home equipment. By this is meant anything from desks; through computers (along with all of their related accessories); through printing and photocopying services, right down notebooks pens and staples (literally). The stock they sell is top brand names (Epsom; HP; Canon etc etc etc), but in terms of ink cartridges etc they do in fact sell their own makes (but compatible with the top brand nnames) - usually at about 3/4 the price.
My local shop is built right in the city centre, but is still based around one of those 'warehousey' style designs rather just like those large out of town DIY places. As soon as you walk in to theh shop, you are greeted by floor to ceiling shelves with rows of goods on them all just waiting to be purchased by the awaiting British oublic. Of coure, in order to get to the higher stock it is best to ask a sales assistant to risk their own lives by climbing up on one of those rickety old ladders to reach that last carton of ink for you.
This leads me on to my next point, that being the one of staffing levels. Midweek staff are the usual 'oldies', that is those with a little bit more experience who have been doing the job for a while - maybe not at Staples, but have had more of that all round retail experience that is so often lacking. More often than not however, it is usually lacking at the weekend when none of the regular staff want to work. Therefore, they put the stroppy teengaers on shift who are only there to keep them going in supplies of fags; cheap booze, and die cast models of Lord of the Rings. OK, a bit generalised but you get my meaning.
Half the time when I go in to Staples, there appears to be not a lot of staff on the floor. There is usually one manning the tills, along with about another two filling shelves. But they are cheerful (generally) in their jobs, and will do whatever they can (generally) to help you out.
Because of the long opening hours (around 8 - 8 weekdays; 8 - 6 Saturdays, 10.30 - 4.30 ish on a Sunday), the shop is never too busy. Granted, you only go in there when you need to get some office equipment so the shop is never full of people milling about. This means that the queues are pretty small, leaving you to get on with your day.
Returning goods holds the same restrictions as pretty much all shops, thatis that you can 'return a purchase within 28 days blah blah blah'. However, I have never had to do this (yet) because the standard of goods is so high.
I cannot comment here on their delivery policy, as I have to report that I have neverused it. I don't even know if there IS one, but this is the only aspect of the store that I have not used.
There is a oublic/ pay and display car park attached to the shop provided for by the local council, meaning that you don't have to take those heavy items very far.. The council have also given over half a level to the shop, for free parking for those who shop in the store. Thse spaces are painted over red (as opposed to the others being in blue), and thankfully the service is still there as it has the potential to be abused. But with that said, there is in fact a security guard who regularly patrols the area.
Advantages: Opening hours, stock Disadvantages: Staff at store & head office
...office.
I have a Staples store close to where I live situated in a small retail park, as you walk in to their store you cannot help but being impressed with the number of lines they sell.
You name it, they have it, paper, folders, storage boxes, cash boxes, computers, printers, fax machines, office furniture & equipment, software & loads of small items such as elastic bands, drawing pins etc. Although they sell famous branded items they also do ... ...A4 500 sheets of paper Staples own brand is £4.99, Tesco sell the same quality & quantity for £3.99 & a cheaper thinner quality & quantity for £1.63, advantage Tesco.
Although the competition can compete on most 'general' items neither W. H. Smith, Asda or Tesco have such a vast range, they tend to sell the most popular items & leave the specialist stuff to Staples.
So, although their stock is impressive as is their opening hours & convenient location, ...
ScottishWestie 10.07.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Staples (Shop)
Advantages: Range of stock, Very competetive prices, Helpful and informed staff Disadvantages: None
...I always though that Staples was originally a small British retailer, because I can remember in my youth a small stationery shop of the same name, but it is in fact a multi billion dollar retailer of office supplies, furniture and technology originating in Boston, Massachusetts and now a major retailer in the US, UK, Germany, Canada, Netherlands and Portugal. It opened its first store in April 1993 in Swansea, since that time it has gone from strength ... ...operating across the whole of England and Wales. It is a very specialist store, providing "the Staples"- from paper, pads and pens to the latest PCs, printers and software - those essential components that everyone needs from small to medium sized businesses, people who work from home, families and schools.
The stores are always bright, roomy and cheerful; the staff I’ve always found helpful and informative and their prices generally cheaper ...
Merv 29.12.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Staples (Shop)
Advantages: big selection on every type of product, out of town for loads of parking, Disadvantages: photocopying a bit sloppy
Staples is an uncontrollable out of town monster in the world of stationery supplies. Go in with the sole intention of buying a pen refill and you'll come back with bags more, I'm sure. In Northampton, Office World was, in terms of shelf space, its closest rival (about half the size but having plenty of the essentials). Now a recent deserter (no doubt driven out by Staples success) the competition is a bit pitiful. WhSmith simply doesn't have enough ... ...it's best to look in Staples first. Because they have plenty of stationery products to choose from and they cover all markets - whether you're satisfying your budget or an executive lifestyle. If anything sets Staples apart from the rest it's the folders and plastic refills department. Taking up almost one side of an aisle I found smart flip-over folders for business presentations, report covers, plus plastic sleeves designed to hold bulky brochures ...
simoncjones 09.05.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Staples (Shop)
Advantages: location, stock, staff.. Disadvantages: prices are not as low as hoped
From what I first heard, Staples was this American firm that was going to try and get into the UK stationary market with cheap products. I was thinking… sounds good, and this sort of thing has occurred again with Walmart taking over Asda (I believe) and so the American way of life with cheap, good quality goods was going to continue to be ever-more apparent in the UK. This is good. We get ripped off enough by the government without major international ... ...WHSmiths or wherever. I think Staples have made good decisions in locating outside of towns (in Canterbury also) so that people have easier access to their stores.
I did however pick up one bargain! Having just got paid my holiday bonus at work (about sixty quid for three months work, we get paid 8% more on what we earn in holiday pay which is good for a part time student like myself!) I wanted to buy a decent office chair for my bedroom. I had ...
danradders 31.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Staples (Shop)
Advantages: Good range of business and personal products Disadvantages: Returns and staff sometimes questionable
Staples is an ‘office stationers,’ (and I quote from the sign above the store) and hose two words sum it up perfectly. They sell things from computers to furniture and from toilet paper to pens. They sell a lot of things individually and in bulk, and the prices are relatively cheap. In their stores they have ample staff that are easy to find, and many services available, like photocopying. The shelves are well stocked and there is little if any litter ... ...mouse. They were told that Staples would not replace the mouse and they would have to phone up the manufacturer to sort it out.
Now to the criticism. It was the day after Christmas and I had seen a computer that was cheap and that I liked. I phoned up Staples and asked them to put one away for me, which they said that I did. The next day I set out to find the store, but got lost due to incorrect directions of what junction to get off the motorway. ...
somebodyrandom 30.03.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Staples (Shop)
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Advantages: High-street, not sleezy Disadvantages: Cost, quality
queuing behind two 13-year old girls buying crude slogan thongs while their 17-year old boyfriends stood by.
Ann Summers is a convenient sex shop, but this is as far as my recommendation goes. My two main complaints are that it is overpriced (some cost examples: handcuffs £12, lube £7, massage oil £6) and has a limited range. The main staple items sold in the shop have not changed at all in the last two years - and the new products that do change are not exciting enough to warrent this. Sadly, it has become little more than boring and it's about time it received some high-street competition! ...
