Staples — Local services in Ann Arbor

I don't review things, but 7 frustrating days of interactions with Ann Arbor Staples has compelled me to do so.

I was in the middle of mailing out job applications. All the materials needed to be on the same type of paper. Sounds pretty standard. Turns out that was a curveball for Staples.

After they ran out of their usual paper 75% the way through my applications, they said they would order some more and they'd be ready w/in a day or 2. Totally understandable. Though I was a little frustrated that a copy and print store ran out of paper, I was pretty happy with Staples so far and I didn't mind waiting a day or two, like they promised.

So I showed up the next day, and still no paper. I asked if they put the order in, and they said yes. So then I asked if the paper would be in the following day, and they said yes. So I went on day 3. Still no paper. I confirmed that they had put in the order, and the person told me they expected the paper any day now. Then I "wised up" and asked Staples to just call me when they got it in. That plan would have worked, but they're so incredibly disorganized (a bit ironic for a store that's based on organization) that they never called. Over the next 3 days I kept calling and asking about the paper, to which they said that they expected the paper "any day now." Every time before I hung up I would ask them if they still had my number, to which they would say "no" and that they didn't know the needed to call someone when the paper arrived. I left my number with them no less than 4 times, and received no more than 0 phone calls.

So on day 7, I walked in the store, asked if they had the paper, to which they said their most recent truck shipment didn't have it. I then asked if they ordered it, which to my surprise the answer was "no." "No?" I said. "But you guys told me at least 4 times that you had ordered it and that it should be in any day now." "Well," Mr. Staples said, "I don't know why people had been telling you that. We don't actually order our paper. We just put in the system when we're out of paper and then they send it on the truck." "But it's not on this truck, or any of the trucks over the last week?" I asked. "No, our system keeps saying that we have the paper, but we don't, so they won't send us the paper." "Have you done anything about this?" I inquired. "No," says Mr. Staples, "we have not." "You are an idiot, Mr. Staples," I said. "A world class idiot."

A few take aways: First, we're talking about paper. Their standard paper. They ran out of their standard paper, which is itself impressively stupid for a place that does copies and prints. The fact that they couldn't get more of said standard paper within a week (with incessant reminders from a guy who had just spent over $200 dollars in printing there and who kept telling them that this was urgent) is even more impressively stupid. Second, I blame myself for not going to another store. The reason I didn't (if you've been wondering) is because I needed the printing done at a Staples because it needed to be on the same paper. I didn't go to a different Staples because the closest one was 30 minutes further and the Ann Arbor one kept saying that they would have the paper "any day now." Third, the Ypsilanti Staples is fantastic. When I finally bailed on the Ann Arbor Staples, the Ypsilanti one was incredibly helpful, and surprisingly well stocked in their standard paper. I never thought I would be so relieved for a copy and print store to be able to copy and print. Manna from heaven, I tell you.

Oh, by the way, the Ann Arbor one overcharged me. I only noticed this when I was at the Ypsilanti Staples and was showing them my receipt. The Ann Arbor one charged me for 100 extra copies.

That place is a black hole of incompetence in a...

If you make an online ‘same day’ purchase order, after 2 pm it’s not available until up to 8:30 pm the following day- a 30 minute window before the business closes. In my experience, if a ‘same day’ (after 2 pm) order is delayed 24 hours + after the order is placed, you won’t get any notification of the delay.

My recent print services order turned out horribly. I received a follow up call on my order advising there was an issue with my image that wasn’t detectable when creating the order or on Staple’s end but was resulting in a distorted product. I’m promptly complied- supplying 2 alternate images. I never heard anything back and assumed the issue was able to be resolved. I called to follow up on my order’s at EOB on the order’s guaranteed date and learned it would not be available for pick up until the following day. I also learned that there was an issue with one of the printers, resulting in a delay for my order and others.

Customer service was okay. I sincerely appreciated the initial call informing me of the issue but I’m left wondering if I ended up with the initial botched order- I can tell from the images that the ‘back up’ I supplied was not used.

While I recognize that quality can be subjective, a print shop should have foresight as to what is and isn’t worth a customer’s money. I wished I would’ve be contacted, informed there was an issue with my print that would impede it’s quality and been done with it. I would’ve been frustrated that my order couldn’t be completed but thankful that I didn’t waste time and money. In reality, I waited over a 24 hour period for a same day, time sensitive, order that was meant for the garbage. Now I’m taking my order and business to another local shop in town. I won’t be back for...

So I went in early Labor Day looking for a printer for my boutique. After waiting for assistance, the two people helped we were not knowledgeable about anything I needed, both the associate and tech were over talking and cutting me off not listening to what I needed, which led me to buy a printer I couldn’t even use. After working with the printer at my store for over 2hr, reaching out to hp virtual assistant I became angry and frustrated, I called the store. I was helped by David J. He was very knowledgeable and gave me a lot of reassurance over the phone which led everything to being ok. I went back to the store, he asked what I need the printer for and what will I be printing, I told him barcodes , he led me to 3 different printers that would assist me. He also educated me on the Avery labels and the different between ink and laser. I needed up buying the most expensive printer only because I’m able to get 5000 pages worth of ink vs 200-600 with the other printer. He taught me how to change my ink cartridge and how to handle the toner pump. If anyone in there needs a paid vacation or a raise it would definitely be him. I didn’t feel rushed or shooed with him. He even repeated himself and reworded statements and gave analogies to help me understand things better! He also recommended the 4 year warranty which At that point he had my trust so it was sold!! David J saved this...