Staples — Local services in Bellingham

I had a most surprising and positive experience yesterday morning at my local Staples. I trotted in to quickly pick up several enlargement prints of one of my watercolor paintings. When the print department counter representative checked the items against my order, Janine and I found I was several copies short.

She found the order paperwork, consulted with another staff member, apologized profusely and offered to have the missing prints made for pick-up later that day. That would not work for me yesterday and I politely said so. I allowed that I didn’t strictly need the missing prints yesterday as they were to be Christmas gifts. But I was hoping to feel smugly organized as I wisely put them aside early in the gift buying swirl; so much for THAT plan! I would have to re-order at some point, inconvenient as Plan B would be. I prepared to pay for what I’d received and get back on the mad dash to the Cape.

Suddenly, Janine (sure hope I’ve retained her name correctly, but she was on duty in Bellingham, MA, early morning, Friday August 9, 2019) held out my bag with a rueful yet warm smile under her direct gaze and said, ”I want you to come back to us for your future printing needs! We’ve inconvenienced you, I’m sorry!! Please take what we have done at no cost to you.”

😳WHUUUTTT?!? THAT sure was an unexpected yet very welcome development!! I couldn’t believe it at first, but soon trotted out of my favorite Staples with a paper bag and a delighted, goofy grin.

Upon reflection, I’ve ALWAYS received courteous, knowledgeable and quick attention at Staples Bellingham whatever my need, but couldn't recall ever writing a review. Never a better opportunity to comment on sustained excellence than my experience yesterday!!

Janine’s quick, kind, and WAYYY beyond expectations customer service certainly ensures I WILL return for my (fairly frequent of late) art printing needs.🌟🌟🌟🌻🌟🌟🌟...

Here's a story:

One time that I dropped in for a quick business buy, I was looking for printer cartridge. It wasn't exactly where the other cartridges were, but a very nice sales associate helped me find it in one of the isles.

As I walked up to the register, I began an intriguing and wonderful conversation on the topics of marketing and sales with a new sales associate who was certain that the off-brand disinfectant wipes located at the register would sell instead of the name brand ones. Her manager disagreed.

As we talked, we discussed how a marketer would sell the product. Selling by assessing who would actually appreciate and need more effective disinfectant wipes and advertising them by changing the way they were being displayed at. In addition to advertising online. Moving to how a salesmen would do the same thing, but would connect with the buyers need to the product through a conversational sales model.

After around 20 minutes of talking, I really had to get back to work and I bid her farewell...

I have worked from home for years and I depend heavily on Staples and they thankfully have always been super helpful and knowledgeable. If it wasn’t for Staples and the knowledge of their staff, I’m not sure what I would have done. Sadly, there is almost always a bump in the road and I hit it when I crossed paths with the Manager at the Staples in Bellingham, Massachusetts whom I had never met before. Not only does this guy need some lessons in politeness but he is also in desperate need of a lesson in “Management 101”. It was fun while it lasted but I will pass on the Staples in Bellingham going forward and rely on the others instead. I realize that this “out of touch” manager somehow slipped through the cracks of Staples otherwise amazing employees and it’s too bad. This insensitive guy would be better suited doing “behind the scenes” work, way...