Staples — Local services in Windham

I usually come here for printer inks and mostly the selection of printers, computers, routers and other electronic devices and supplies. I like the selection of papers, envelopes and the like here! My most recent visit involved my home router. We have 11 devices that use the WiFi daily and more now since my wife works from home using the WiFi for connecting to work and online meetings. Our router just died on a Sunday evening and my wife needed the WiFi in the morning so there is no time to drive all over or order online which just wouldn’t cut it in this situation. I was going to go to the big “W” but I knew that staples had a bigger selection and actual tech here! I went to staples and started looking for a router and thought I found a good one that had 6 antennas and all the bells and whistles which we really need. I went to buy it and none in stock, so cashier called back to a tech to see what’s in stock. The tech came out and listened to my requirements which are that I have 3 living floors and one being the basement family room that has a desk for my wife’s computer and printer etc for work. The house has over 3,500 sq ft and an attached screen room and fire pit sitting area in the back yard that needed coverage. My previous router would also kick off people when all the kids and grandkids are here that have like 2 devices each that need WiFi! So my usual 11 devices now grows to maybe even 30 or more when all of the family and mother in law with her devices comes to visit. Numerous people saying they need to sign back into the network every time they log off and come back in. I don’t usually have this problem without the visitors it signs me in automatically each time. So now you know the situation I talk with the tech and he says I have just the unit for your situation, it’s the “Orbi”! I had never heard of it, but I did see them on the shelves and he said yes Orbi’s are awesome and they are by Netgear which I obviously had heard of. So he brings one out and starts explaining the features which one of them being that it’s a Mesh Router, and never heard of it. He again explained that it’s the new generation of routers that use different technology for how the router connects to all your devices. He explained my linksys was the old std router and this one can simultaneously ping your devices instead of talking to them one at a time while going from one to the other and in a circle till it comes back to the starting device. This is where the old std router may drop some of your devices while pinging the other ones. So this Orbi is much faster and has a satellite type extended router you can place on another floor away from the main router. Now they both can ping your devices from different areas in the house or in the screen house etc. These units are very nice units with internal antennas instead of like my old router that had multiple antennas that are external and look like a porcupine. With my old one we would have the signal from the router go in and out and had to reboot the router often. Not with Orbi, I have never rebooted the Orbi or lost my connection numerous times. I have the satellite in the basement and the main router on the 2nd floor near the cable modem. These units are awesome and setup is a breeze with the Orbi app for your phone. I was up and running in no time! Love Orbi! I have a fast powerful router system now and works flawlessly. I highly recommend this system. You can even add more satellite units if your home or building has more sq ft or different out buildings! Get one of these systems they are awesome!

Update: 9/17/2020: I received email from Net gear that my support for my product was going to expire and offered 2 yr support plan for fairly cheap price and if your staying with your equipment, buy the support at this point. I didn’t get the extended support and after they sent an email saying last chance should have bought at this point because now I got emails offering support that was gearhead which is very expensive...

When I was growing up, Staples was a popular place to go. The smell and atmosphere will always be a bit nostalgic. However, that is where the appeal ends for me. Looking at the prices, I was astounded. The most shocking realization I made at Staples was the planner selection- the same exact brands sold at Walmart up the road, for double the cost. I had been searching for a refill pack for my pens, which I bought there, but shortly after successfully purchasing them there a couple times, they did not restock them. They are a common brand (Sharpie S Gel)- perhaps I had poor timing for my visits. I went to Walmart to purchase the pens instead, as again, they are cheaper for the same product. The staff there is helpful, but can take a while to get to the register. It seems that there are not many people working at any given time, maybe 2 per shift, and it is a large store to maintain. However, they are friendly and help you find products. If you have a business, they have reliable signage printing, delivery, and other related things you may need. Their prices for business purchases are generally fair. As a lone consumer though, I cannot say the same, and just go to Walmart or order online...

Bought a laptop from here. There is a promotion where you get the laptop, virus software and have them set it up for you and you get a discount. Was led to believe it would be ready the next day. Went to get it. No laptop. Was told it's not ready there's no tech to set it up. I said a phone call would have been nice. The attitude from the manager was a bit rude.we call when it's ready was his response. Again this is not what I was led to believe. So after about an hour driving time, I have contacted corporate to find out about getting a refund. I'll buy a computer elsewhere. I gave 2 stars because the other associates where friendly. I doubt I'll shop this...