Staples — Local services in Vancouver

I visited Staples recently to print labels for our business and had an extremely disappointing experience with a staff member named Rahad. Upon approaching the kiosk, we waited a few minutes before Rahad arrived, visibly frustrated from a prior customer interaction. Unfortunately, that frustration was carried into his interaction with us. Rather than offering assistance, he made it clear—both through his tone and body language—that he had no interest in helping. As we tried to explain what we were looking for, he smirked condescendingly throughout the conversation, which was both unprofessional and disrespectful. When he finally brought us to the counter, none of the available label sizes met our needs. We asked if it was possible to order custom sizes, and although he said it was, he quickly brushed us off and told us to “just do it online,” implying he couldn’t be bothered. He stated confidently that custom sizes were available through the Staples website. While still in store, we checked online and found no such option, so we returned to ask if we could order in-store instead. Rahad responded sarcastically, again smirking, and said, “I already told you to order online.” When we explained that the website didn’t work, he dismissively replied, “’because you’re probably using your phone,” despite the fact that we had previously checked from a desktop with the same result. Ultimately, he refused to assist further and passed us off to another employee, Nikolai. To his credit, Nikolai was helpful and made a genuine effort to assist us, confirming in the end that custom-sized labels were not available—contradicting what Rahad had assured us earlier. Rahad’s general attitude was rude, arrogant, and completely unprofessional. In a customer-facing role at a well-established company like Staples, this level of service is unacceptable. We are more than willing to escalate this to HR if necessary, but we sincerely hope management takes note and addresses this internally. No customer should be made to feel dismissed or ridiculed for simply asking...

I've been here many times and have had great experiences with product selections and customer service, however, I've been experiencing issues with one staff member name Christian I think. He was always having a controlling attitude by insisting I greet him pleasantly and in full like "hello, how are you?" And I hold out my phone with my return label ready to scan and instead of scanning it he asks me "so which carrier is this return for?"... something no other return staff have asked me before. I'm holding out my phone and it's clearly Amazon... but anyways I tell him it's for Amazon. And then he goes on and on (I think he just likes people listening to him?) about how he doesn't know if I don't tell him etc etc .... anyways as I'm in a rush I just smile and nod. Then he tells me that I need to pack and then seal my item in a bag.... which I proceed to do as I just want to exit this horrible controlling energy I'm detecting... that's the end of one of the first experiences. After that I went online to review my return details and I read "Bring the items) you're returning to any Staples location. Staples will pack, label, and ship your return.". So anyway I ended up telling the manager about my experience etc and they said they would address this. A month or so later the same thing happens ... and he demands I start packing my own items and I said no I'm not doing that that's a part of the return and he says no it's not you have to do it (again he gets off on control... I sense his hatred for women). So I went to a staff member and he said that he would ensure my return was processed and that it would be resolved. But he was brushing me off I could tell and I don't think this person was even a manager. Anyway, I told him about how the packing is not my duty... and how this guy is very creepy and intense and he's demanding attention from women.... there was a lot of nuanced things that happened and his energy is just off. He is very creepy.

Please train your staff to process returns as required... because clearly he's unaware of the...

Like any retail store, the service is as good as the clarity of your communication and the customer service rep you get at the time. I have been to this branch of Staples dozens of times and I infinitely prefer it to the location on Seymour St. It seems to be better staffed and the staff morale seems to be quite a bit higher! I have had exemplary service and meh service hence the 4/5 stars.

When it comes to getting colour copies done, this is my location of choice. I learnt the hard way to stay on location or to pick the copies up myself. I needed certificates printed for a speech contest and and first time I did it, the clerk recognized he needed to save the files in a specific manner so the certificates printed with the individual names. The last time I did it, while I thought I had explained this little detail, something evidently got lost in translation. When my proxy picked up the copies the certificates were all blank.

It just meant filling them in manually, but that lacked the finesse and professionalism I was aiming for. Ultimately, if I had not been as rushed I would have had the time to see the job through personally and catch this I claim accountability - but it does make me nervous about entrusting them with rushed jobs of an important nature. The Seymour St location seems to be perpetually under staffed - maybe just a sign of the times for many retail stores. However, on at least 3 occasions after waiting in line at the photo copying counter for 10+ minutes and still not being attended to I have left and gone to the Georgia St location and been attended to in less than 7 minutes. Even if my printing job cannot be done straight away, at least I was attended to.

I have brought stationary and equipment here on several occasions but with regard to stock the Seymour St location has the edge due to it's larger capacity. However, if I need help with anything I find this location has the edge. I go back to my more staff and higher staff morale comment as the staff just seem happier. Who doesn't like...