Pricematching and Coupons @staples

[ArmenK]

Do you apply a coupon at the time of the purchase and then pricematch? Im looking at the crative fps2000 speakers around 170 at staples and 110 at buy.com, i have a 30 of 100 coupon, whats the best way to do this. Thnks

mods: i loked for the how do i thread but couldnt find it

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I looked, too, and you are right. The thread had fallen off the radar, so I just started a new ~~~~ How Do I ~~~~ thread.

Thanks. You did everyone a favor.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[safaar]

First i dont think this belongs here.. but anyways.. you have to use the coupon after price matching... eg. Staples price $150, price match to $140... you cant use $150 coupon.. you have to use $100 coupon. Hope this helps.. =) =)

 

[KameLeon]

Just call 1-800-3Staples and tell them the staples item# and the buy.com item#, and that you want to pricewatch. Then after that, tell them you got a coupon and give em that code. Don't know if they take orders on weekends though.

 

[smartt]

Once again kind of off topic, but one thing to add to the above instructions don't mention forums this can turn the CSR from nice to nasty. I've never mentioned them, but that's what I've heard, and I think that is what brings so much heat on places like this. 'I was on www.blahblah.com and they have these coupons listed..' Probably common sense, but sense is not always common.

 

[hychka]

For what little it's worth, mostly I
1.)plan out what I want to do in terms of items to be purchased to maximize the discounts, the coupons to be applied and the PM to use given the best delivery options.
2.)place the order over the internet and apply the coupon I eventually want to use when taking a PM into account.
3.)soon along comes an e-mail from Staples confirming the details and establishing delivery (next day 3 to 5, or worse).
4.) NOW I call in to Staples and ask for the PM of the several possibilities that, when considering Staples confirmed shipping timeframe, gives me the best possible PM net of shipping costs Staples will try to add on.

This works pretty well because 1.)the coupon is already established when you call; and, 2.) the delivery Staples can do is established in writing, not a theoretical thing. ( For example, firest the coupon never comes up with the CSR. But regarding the PM ... CSR:"Well, I have to add a $100 for the overnight shipping XYZ.com would charge on top of their low PM price. Staples overnight fee is free." You:"But, kind CSR, in your e-mail of XX/XX/XX you promise delivery in two weeks, not overnight. Why would you add overnight charges, when XYZ charges nothing for 3 to 5 day delivery, and your delivery as stated is 2 weeks?&quot

 

[smartt]

It must be different if you have a Staples B&M in your town, or I got lucky not sure if you have one. I called the whole thing in to Staples and was promised delivery this Tuesday by Staples courier for free! (I personally think their website can be quirky at times.) Why do it online and then call in, for added steps and delays?

 

[uncouth]

hychka, that sounds like a solid method. thanks

 

[smartt]

..and if you PM a B&M store the shipping and handling part doesn't matter, right?

 

[Wik]

I call mine in. I apply the coupon after they give me the total. Also doing it over the phone has given me better deals as teh CSR screws up. Like one time I tried to use a $25 coupon that had expired then I gave her another coupon code to use that was good. When I received my order she had messed up and applied both coupons for $50 off of a $75 order.

 

[smartt]

I get a better 'warm and fuzzy' myself. You don't have to worry about them pulling the coupon early on you either, but Staples is pretty good about keeping good coupons.

 

[fong718]

to me, i think it is the best to call in and order and do everything, make sure you get the csr name though, in case anything goes wrong, i've ordered 5 times on the web and they've screwed up everytime, so i always do it on the phone now.

 

[Chatterjee]

if the item is listed as a 3-5 days delivery item, you simply tell them that and you're off the hook. (those items they get from their distributors and/or are special items)

if they're listed as a 1-day delivery item, you may run into problems..

-S

 

[Pliablemoose]

I've used the B&M stores for pricematching, and it seems to depend on the checkout person about adding the S&H charges when pricematching web sites. It also seems to be up to the manager(s) as to wether or not they accept the web coupons.

 

[hychka]

Well, dealing with Staples is certainly a bit of an art form. We all have our own techniques.

What makes things really different for us in my little city is that the local B&M will not apply coupons unless you have the post card; can't just give them a valid coupon #. For that reason I generally don't buy in the store, unless it's an emergency.

 

[smartt]

Yeah, I figured as much. I've bought from the online store but have never gotten any of the postcards.