I attended Staples back to School event this week in NYC. It is my 3rd year reporting back to you, and they certainly spiced it up this year by instituting some new initiatives, and bringing back some great ones from last year!
I have written about this subject in relation to a similar type store, teachers are spending their own money to help their students every year because school budgets are so tight. Staples this week has instituted a new initiative to help with this issue with its new Reward-A-Classroom program. This is in addition to the 5% in Staples Rewards that you are already earning. Now you can also earn Rewards for the teacher of your choice when you link your Rewards account.
Teachers will get:
1. 5% back in Rewards on every Copy & Print purchase
2. 2% back in Rewards on everything else.
This is in addition to the Teachers Rewards program! For their own purchases, teachers earn 5% back in Rewards on everything (including technology and services!), and an additional 5% back in Rewards on teaching and art supplies.
And…
Returning from last year, and this is the one I have been waiting for, is the Back-to-School Savings Pass! This pass provides you with a 15% discount on supplies. It is available for purchase for $10 through August 31, and the savings pass is valid until Sept. 21. Note, it can be used only once a day, and the extra good news is that it can be used in conjunction with other sales and does not affect your Rewards program!
Lastly…
Extreme deals! I am addicted to Staples 1 cent deal, $1 dollar deals, etc. I am embarrassed to tell you that I accumulate supplies though these sales and have several draws filled from the last few years! I subscribe to the on-line flyer, and I suggest you do the same, this way you can be one of the first to see the new and upcoming deals!
We get our report cards the last day of school, and the next semester’s supply list is always included. That is a huge help because, as I see sales over the Summer, I can stock up on the items my son will need to bring to his new classroom. And now, I can combine the above extra savings into my budget and buy even more!
Staples also has great deals on other things, for example, technology. I am a Microsoft Ambassador, so I was thrilled to see the student deal where they can receive Microsoft Office 365 University for free ($79.99 value) with the purchase of select touch screen laptops from Dell, HP, Acer, Lenovo, and Toshiba. Just a side note, my desktop and laptop were both purchased directly from Staples, I am very happy with their prices and customer service. I have written before how great the tech services are at my local Union Square, NY Staples location.
Staples also has a charitable initiative where you can donate directly through the Staples for Students program at your local Staples store. They have teamed up with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and 100% of the proceeds benefit local students in need! My son is a member of the local Boys Club so this is especially good news to hear.
Again, I get weekly emails from Staples.Com. That’s how I know when periodically I can get free AA and AAA batteries through the Rewards program. It also tells me when there is an ink cartridge bonus deal going on for recycling. I love this place!
Follow Staples on Facebook and follow Staples on Twitter, and on Twitter check #StaplesHasIt for ongoing information!
Disclosure: I received a gift bag and gift card for attending the event. All opinions are 100% honest and my own!
But wait! Guess who showed up to support these great Staples initiatives! Nick Cannon!
I always shop the back to school sales at Staples. I love their customer service. I had an error with a copy & print service and they did very well at making sure I was satisfied in the end. How do we get the back to school 15% saving pass?
I am a fan of Staples 1 cent and dollar deals too. As a former elementary teacher, I know for sure how much money teachers spend out of their own pocket. My husband used to ask me, “Can we keep some of this money for us????”
Teachers have a hard go at it. They are soooo undervalued and underpaid so any company that supports their efforts in educating our children gets a HUGE thumbs up from me.
I so wish I had a Staples near me – oh, and a Nick Cannon! haha
Looks like you had a great time!! I love staples! They have everything for your back to school needs at reasonable prices!
I love the 1Cent deals, my daughter just started teaching, so it’s great for her to stock up, and of course I buy as much too.
I love the Martha Stewart line at Staples. thanks for the email info.
I have a family full of school teachers and they spend some serious $ stocking up on supplies for kids. I think Staples is amazeballs for helping out this way!! I use the rewards program when returning/buying ink all the time myself and save tons. And, you can’t beat the .01 sales!!
Also… Nick Cannon!!!
Oh that is awesome! Look at Nick Cannon! We love Staples- buy so many great products there!
I love Staples! They always have great sales so I go there all the time!
sounds like they have a nice selection of products for back to school! Looks like you had fun at this event!
We always hit our local Staples for school supplies too. LOVE your pics and your enthusiasm for everything that you do. You make me want to shop there more now!
We are huge Staples fans1 I love their rewards program and the teacher rewards are great to help them save on classroom supplies.When my son was in school, we gave his teachers Staples gift card, they loved receiving them. 🙂
I really need to hit Staples this year for my BTS shopping. I have heard about great deals from friends and neighbors, but never managed to get there myself. Well, this year I am definitely going to go! I just checked the ad and saw tons of great deals.
I was an afterschool teacher/for a non/profit(lol) The only people working for a non-profit that do not get a fair salary are the ones truly doing the work- I loved Staples sales because unlike a class room with 25 kids, there were years when I had closer to 90 children enrolled. -Supplies were never forth coming and I used more of my paycheck for years to keep kids busy-I know how much teachers buy- amazing how they continue -to the parents who help-I thank you and to businesses that offer so much-Teachers appreciate you more than you realize!!!!
I think that is so great that teachers get special discounts. I know several teachers who will spend their own money on supplies so I will have to tell them about this. That is so wonderful