Hey Staples...I've Got Your Number

The teacher message boards are all abuzz with gripes of the injustice that is Staples.

As in the office supply megastore.

Complaint numero uno is that not all Staples are honoring the expanded limit (25) for teachers. I suggest calling the store before you go and asking.  If they say yes, get the name of the person you are speaking to.  If they say no, call another Staples.  I'm pretty sure it's company policy so you could also argue.  Point is, let your fingers do the walking and do your arguing/sweet talking on the phone and save yourself the headache at the register.

Complaint numero dos is the new stipulations.

I recently posted about how they strapped on a $5.00 minimum purchase requirement in order to get the .01 cent goodies.  This made me question if it was worth making the trek for my penny folders because while there are plenty of things at Staples that I need in life (ink, envelopes, etc) there was nothing pressing that I MUST have in my possession this week.

People (and by people I mean angry teachers...a demographic nobody wants to mess with) are angered and annoyed by this policy.  They find it unfair that a business is enforcing the policy that is stated in their flyer and making them pay $5.50 for five dollars worth of merchandise along with 25 folders and 200 pencils.  

I'm on Team Teacher by default, but, I also see the business aspect of it so it makes sense to me.

Anyhow, being the crafty and peacemaking sole that I am, I've devised a plan that will help to make everyone happy.  I hope.

This brings me to one of my mostest favorite concepts in the retail world.

Price matching!

One stop shopping at it's finest.  I checked with Staples and their policy is that they will price match if you bring in a printed ad from a local store with the same product.

I was going to go to Walgreens anyhow to buy me some love in the form of a colorful Sharpie 12 pack at the bargain price of only $3.99 and who can't use a box of Crayola washable markers for only $1.00.  Sure they will probably be on sale for a mere .88 cents in a few weeks, but we need a little give and take here. 

Let's take a moment and talk about price matching because I love it.  I am all about ease and simplicity.  I can't be bothered schlepping all about town on a sunny summer day to hit all the major sales so whenever possible I eliminate some stops.

Target and Walmart both honor price matching.  Just bring the flyer to the register and they will manually adjust the price.

If you have an AC Moore nearby then you can really score because they carry Crayola.  When the markers and crayons go on sale (and they will) for a fraction of their usual cost, just bring the flyer to AC Moore.  They will not only honor the price, but they will take off an additional 10%.  Plus, if you have the teacher card you can save an extra 5%.

And since no post would be complete without a picture or two AND since I have not done any shameless self-promotion in at least 48 hours...

I bring you an update from our sponsor: ME!

I just released my latest product this morning.  It's a 17 page printable Genre Set.  It includes 10 signs that define the genres as well as several activities.  It will save you time and energy and will shower your students with academic excitement.  Plus, it's chock full of adorable Thistle Girl graphics and if those smiling little cartoon people don't make you happy then I don't know what will.

As usual, it is only $3.00.

And, unlike some big box corporations, I don't charge a $5.00 minimum :P

Click here to buy the GENRE KIT

Click the photos to enlarge them:

Well Played Staples, Well Played

Once again I will be waving my freak flag for yet another post.

See those pencils?

Those beautiful bouquets of shiny, new pencils make me smile.  They are bundled and ready to go for the new school year.  Since the photo was taken, my aide sharpened each one and labeled them with the students' numbers.  At the start of every month I break out a new bundle and disperse them to eager recipients.

The reason I am able to neurotically pre-bundle a year's worth of pencils is because of the Staples .01 cent sales.

Historically, Staples has offered items for a penny in the months of July and August.  Their plan is to lure you into the store for the penny items and then have you impulsively drop several ten spots on additional merchandise.  They didn't account for me and my pocket full of copper coins to hit the Staples circuit.

With an accomplice.  

Because there is an items per person limit rule, but there is no age limit.  So he counts.

We literally have 3 Staples within 5 minutes of our driveway.  I have some form of compulsive disorder that forces me to go to each of the stores and stock up on whatever they are offering up that week.

Daily.

As in 7 times.  

At least.

Let's do the math.  7 days x 3 stores = 21 trips.  21 trips X 25 item max for teachers = 525 items

When that "item" is an 8 pack of pencils, we are looking at 4,200 pencils per summer.

At least.  Admittedly, I sometimes hit the triad of Staples more than once a day.

Sometimes more than twice.  

Plus, the items my son and husband are forced to buy as well.  It's an illness.

The 2 pocket, pronged folders are my favorite, but it doesn't matter what they are giving away.  I'm taking it.  

So the big sales start tomorrow.

Except, this year they are not being quite so generous.  The new ad reads, "WITH A $5.00 MINIMUM." 

Hmph! Boo hiss!

Good move on their part.

I suppose.

For those interested this week's sales include:

STAPLES .01 cent sale:

2 pocket folders

8 packs of pencils

(don't forget to use your Staples teacher card to get 25 vs the published maximum)

eta:  packages of copy/printer paper w/ rebate

WALMART:

Composition Notebooks .25 cents

WALGREENS:

Sharpies (12 pack assorted colors) $3.99

Paper Mate Mechanical Pencils (10 pack - makes a good addition to a gift set for students) .39

Hand Held Sharpeners/Rulers .29 cents

Expo Dry Erase Markers (4 pack) $1.99

CVS:

child scissors - free with Extra Care Bucks

Feel free to leave a comment with additional deals if you find them.  Happy Sunday.  Happy Shopping.