Staples — Local services in Orange

Gary in tech is rather rude for someone identifying as a manager. Came here one day to browse their selections for an office device that’s expensive enough to merit some questions before purchase. I asked this Gary guy, who had been tailing me up and down the aisle, about differences in specs between models on display… but for every reasonable question asked or specific sought, he simply pointed at the generic signs and rebuffed, “Well, that’s what it means” or “Says right there.” He provided zero effort to elaborate, pitch a product or show curiosity at a customer’s question. No big deal. I continued to explain my intended use and some issues I’ve encountered in the past with competing brands. No interest from him. I thought perhaps it’s late in the evening and everyone’s energy is waning, so I let that bizarre encounter pass and decided to do my own research at home before returning another day.

Really, I wouldn’t have given his manner of service any thought had I not been met by Gary with the same inattention and unfriendly tone once more. When I returned a few days later, I was weary to ask for any more info and simply asked for a stock check on the item I intended to buy. “Right there,” he pointed. What do you mean? “That’s it. It’s on clearance.” I can see it’s on clearance, but that doesn’t answer my question. “It’s all we have.” Sorry, I’m confused. Only the display is available? I’ve never bought a display before. Does it come with a box? “I don’t have a box.” Does it come with a manual, warranty or anything else? No response.

Back at the counter, I had to ask about his off behavior. “It’s just been a weeeiiiird, crazy few minutes.” Sorry, weird? Have I been bothersome as a customer? Is there a manager? “I’m the manager.”

Employees are human too. They got days when maybe personal matters spill into work, as it often does in the other direction. I get that some customers can annoy with their curiosities. I’m just an ordinary customer, though— a customer who appreciates in-store shopping and expects the same appreciation in return. But now I see: at least there’s no Gary at Amazon.

Never one to publish online (this is my first), but the encounter was so bizarre I feel a duty to share with you...

walking in, i was offered help. i inquired the location of usb cables. ramon told me "aisle 17". on the way there, i saw the kind i needed, & stopped to look at it. ramon then left the counter to lead me away from that wall of usb cables, & over to aisle 17. as soon as he got me away from the correct usb cables, he left me alone. i looked through the entire "usb cable" section there. i verified the exact type of every cable & adapter there. the correct type was not present on aisle 17. i grabbed the correct type from where i saw it before. then i walked to the counter to discover the correct type is also sitting right there on the counter, exactly where ramon had been standing when he 1st sent me away.

in other words, when i asked for a usb cable, ramon sent me away from 1 location for it. when i found the 2nd location for it, he immediately showed up only to lead me away from it. he made sure to move me where the cable specifically does not exist, & then disappeared.

ramon: when a customer asks for something, why do you appear only to lead them away from the real locations, & push them to the wrong location...& then disappear? did you watch the whole thing through the mirror that you were behind, right next to aisle 17? is it funny to you to deliberately waste peoples'...

This place has horrible customer service. I went in this morning to get my phone repaired at 8:00 AM. They told me it would take a couple of hours for the repair. I asked them to call me when it was complete. At 1:30 PM I called curious about the status. They said it wasn't complete and that they would call me by 2:30 PM. I never received that call, so I called at 5 :25 PM and I am currently on hold for about 30 min because they are still looking at whether the front camera on the phone is still functioning. I am writing this yelp review while still being on hold. Yes, they said the screen is fixed, but still doesn't explain why I am on hold for this long for a simple question on whether the camera works. Would never come here again. However, I give it two stars for at least...