ink/toner cartridge recycling primer/faq for Office Depot, OfficeMax and Staples (vers. 2013.03.16)

Quote from nintendoangie : Nice thread. Well-organized.

I've been scavenging the internets for information about these kind of ink rewards. OP you are the best. Thanks. Anyhow, a couple of quick questions for a Staples Standard Ink Rewards Member like me:

1. Could I use other's rewards points along with mine stacked together for a one time purchase?

2. Given that I am a Standard Ink Member, I am limited with the expiration. This means that I need to use my Rewards within that time frame otherwise I'll lose it forever. Is there anyway or a loophole to go around that expiration? ..... through a gift card maybe? Is it possible to purchase Staples Gift Cards using the Ink Rewards? Do Staples Gift Cards expire?

3. Stacking for one purchase: My Rewards + Gift Cards (note the s) + Staple's Ad Discount on their circular + ejunkie Coupon = possible for one transaction online or instore?

4. For those experienced with these types of Ink Rewards Programs from all 3 stores, which do you think has got the best Ink Recycling Program?

Thanks.

1. Do any of these 3 stores allow more than one rewards account from the same address? One for wife and one for husband? Any work arounds for it if they do not allow?
2. May be nice to add this info to originalpost too. How do the returns purchased with rewards work? Do you loose the rewards money if you return?
Thanks

Quote from qwertykop : I've been scavenging the internets for information about these kind of ink rewards. OP you are the best. Thanks. Anyhow, a couple of quick questions for a Staples Standard Ink Rewards Member like me: 1. Could I use other's rewards points along with mine stacked together for a one time purchase?

I have no personal experience doing this.

OD's T&C states the rewards cards are not "transferable or assignable" but I have never read of anyone's account being merged/terminated for this reason. For an in-store purchase, the rewards cards have no personal identifier but a cashier might question why one person has two rewards cards with the same expiration date. Online OD accepts multiple gift/rewards cards as payment.

OM's T&C state rewards must be from the same account but I have never read of anyone's account being merged/terminated for that reason. In-store the cashier could question why rewards from two different accounts are being used. Online OM only accepts one rewards payment per transaction.

I have read that Staples may merge accounts when rewards checks from two separate rewards accounts are used on the same purchase and I have read that others have done it without any issues. I lean toward the conservative side.

Quote from qwertykop : 2. Given that I am a Standard Ink Member, I am limited with the expiration. This means that I need to use my Rewards within that time frame otherwise I'll lose it forever. Is there anyway or a loophole to go around that expiration? ..... through a gift card maybe? Is it possible to purchase Staples Gift Cards using the Ink Rewards? Do Staples Gift Cards expire?

According to the T&Cs, it is not possible to purchase Staples Gift cards with Staples Rewards.

Not that it matters for this conversation, but Staples Gift cards do not expire.

Quote from qwertykop : 3. Stacking for one purchase: My Rewards + Gift Cards (note the s) + Staple's Ad Discount on their circular + ejunkie Coupon = possible for one transaction online or instore?

By ad discount, do you mean sale price or coupon?

ejunkie coupons are YMMV in-store. For example, the Staples stores near me no longer accept the $20 off $50 coupons at all and validate any Staples coupon.

In-store it should be OK to use rewards + gift cards (not sure of the transaction limit) + sales price + legitimate coupon (one dollar off coupon per transaction and the rewards should not be considered a dollar off coupon for this purpose) but I have had to argue with individual cashiers about using both a coupon and a reward check on the same transaction. Since the register will allow it, I present the case if the register allows it, it should be OK.

Online rewards + coupon (again, one dollar off coupon per transaction, rewards not counted as a dollar off coupon) + sales price is OK (again, not sure of the transaction limit) but it is my understanding that gift cards are not usable online. If the purchase total is sufficient, both a dollar off and freebie coupon can be used on the same transaction (purchase total must meet or exceed coupon limits added together: $25 off $100 + free X with $150 purchase = purchase of $250 or more (shipping and taxes excluded)).

Quote from qwertykop : 4. For those experienced with these types of Ink Rewards Programs from all 3 stores, which do you think has got the best Ink Recycling Program?

If doing just one, probably Staples although Staples lack of FAR items recently has been a problem for some.

Quote from kcdude : 1. Do any of these 3 stores allow more than one rewards account from the same address? One for wife and one for husband? Any work arounds for it if they do not allow?

OD's T&C limit one per address.

OM's T&C are silent on the matter so it should be OK.

Staples' T&C limit one per address.

I have read about multiple accounts at the same address for OD and Staples without issue and I have also read of Staples merging some of those accounts.

Quote from kcdude : 2. May be nice to add this info to originalpost too. How do the returns purchased with rewards work? Do you loose the rewards money if you return?

Thanks for the suggestion.

Nicely put together. TU and Repped. I don't personally need the info but I am sure it is useful to a lot of rookie slickdealers

hopefully some of this is helpful

Quote from qwertykop : 1. Could I use other's rewards points along with mine stacked together for a one time purchase?for Staples: It's been done, but sometimes (often?) the accounts will be merged, so if you have a premier account, I wouldn't try this. If you have some misc accts and don't mind their getting merged, then you can try it, as it has worked in the past. The awards have the acct number embedded in them, so If a cashier felt like it, they could check and deny. I don't know if Staples' computers do check for this, but I'm sure they could. 2. Given that I am a Standard Ink Member, I am limited with the expiration. This means that I need to use my Rewards within that time frame otherwise I'll lose it forever. Is there anyway or a loophole to go around that expiration? ..... through a gift card maybe? Is it possible to purchase Staples Gift Cards using the Ink Rewards? Do Staples Gift Cards expire?Haven't seen a loophole -- I suppose you could return w/o receipt if you want to go that route. They keep track of this though -- with your license. You get a limited #s of returns I don't know if it resets. If you get your spending, then you get a longer expiration date w/premier. But they still expire. 3. Stacking for one purchase: My Rewards + Gift Cards (note the s) + Staple's Ad Discount on their circular + ejunkie Coupon = possible for one transaction online or instore?I've stacked some combo of the above in the past, but I think they are more restrictive now. Last time something, I'm not sure what, didn't work as planned/hoped. Didn't want any discussion and got a decent price, so I just purchased the stuff. .

Quote from kcdude : 2. May be nice to add this info to originalpost too. How do the returns purchased with rewards work? Do you loose the rewards money if you return?OM has given me 'GC', not really GC but basically the equivalent as far as I can tell -- ie no expiry. I think you basically lose w/Staples, unless you return before the original certificate expired, in which case you get a cert w/the original expiry date.

Nicely put together!

Quote from qwertykop : I've been scavenging the internets for information about these kind of ink rewards. OP you are the best. Thanks. Anyhow, a couple of quick questions for a Staples Standard Ink Rewards Member like me: 1. Could I use other's rewards points along with mine stacked together for a one time purchase? 2. Given that I am a Standard Ink Member, I am limited with the expiration. This means that I need to use my Rewards within that time frame otherwise I'll lose it forever. Is there anyway or a loophole to go around that expiration? ..... through a gift card maybe? Is it possible to purchase Staples Gift Cards using the Ink Rewards? Do Staples Gift Cards expire? 3. Stacking for one purchase: My Rewards + Gift Cards (note the s) + Staple's Ad Discount on their circular + ejunkie Coupon = possible for one transaction online or instore? 4. For those experienced with these types of Ink Rewards Programs from all 3 stores, which do you think has got the best Ink Recycling Program? Thanks.

1. You can use rewards from multiple accounts for a transaction, but you probably don't want to. The register will accept them, but as a previous poster already stated, the rewards certificates are tied to the individual member's rewards accounts, and they may (or may not) catch it and merge the accounts.

2. You can't buy gift cards with rewards; yes, you need to use them by the expiration or lose them.

3. You can use your rewards, multiple gift cards, one dollar-off coupon (ie, 25 off 75), and instant savings advertised on a single transaction.

4. I think OfficeMax is best, simply because you can buy gift cards (except OfficeMax gift cards) with the rewards. So I can use my rewards to buy Amex or Visa gift cards to purchase whatever I want at any store, or buy ebay gift cards to buy stuff on eBay. Staples and OD require you to buy merchandise at the store.

Quote from kcdude : 1. Do any of these 3 stores allow more than one rewards account from the same address? One for wife and one for husband? Any work arounds for it if they do not allow? 2. May be nice to add this info to originalpost too. How do the returns purchased with rewards work? Do you loose the rewards money if you return? Thanks

1. All three basically state the same thing - one account per person...

Quote from sinastin : 1. All three basically state the same thing - one account per person...

While I do not whether this is enforced, both OD and Staples have a one account per address restriction as well.

OD: "Limit one Worklife Reward account per business/household"

Staples: "Staples Rewards accounts are limited to one account per eligible customer; each mailing address is also limited to one account."

Quote from kcdude : 2. May be nice to add this info to originalpost too. How do the returns purchased with rewards work? Do you loose the rewards money if you return? Thanks

i am only familiar with staples returns. if you use rewards and return then you get a coupon printed at bottom of your receipt for the amount of your rewards coupon with the same expiration date as the original. PROVISO i have only done this once and i have not tried to do a return a second time

Quote from bpvh : While I do not whether this is enforced, both OD and Staples have a one account per address restriction as well. OD: "Limit one Worklife Reward account per business/household" Staples: "Staples Rewards accounts are limited to one account per eligible customer; each mailing address is also limited to one account."

I have 4 "family accounts" at each of Staples, OD, OM. Different addresses and names. I manage all accounts which means i am the only one to go in the store and recycle the carts and redeem the rewards. No problems so far except at om where a manager threatended me-i will not go to that store anymore. I have combined rewards from diff accounts with coupons bought online at staples using them instore without any problems(i have heard that combining rewards online is a no-no but insore OK-can anyone rebut this?).
Basically keep a low profile whenever possible, be nice to the cashiers and managers, and do not do all your biz in 1 day, at the same store, do as much online as possible to avoid scrutiny, is my advice.

Quote from ttboy : I have 4 "family accounts" at each of Staples, OD, OM. Different addresses and names. I manage all accounts which means i am the only one to go in the store and recycle the carts and redeem the rewards. No problems so far except at om where a manager threatended me-i will not go to that store anymore. I have combined rewards from diff accounts with coupons bought online at staples using them instore without any problems(i have heard that combining rewards online is a no-no but insore OK-can anyone rebut this?). Basically keep a low profile whenever possible, be nice to the cashiers and managers, and do not do all your biz in 1 day, at the same store, do as much online as possible to avoid scrutiny, is my advice.

Do you use different credit cards or use same credit card on different accounts?

Can we pay with rewards for other reward generating items and still get rewards?
For example, if I use $30 ink reward coupon from staples to pay for the battery deal or paper deal where you get some rewards back, do I still get the rewards back or would it reduce the rewards.
What about the same in OfficeMax and Office Depot.

Quote from kcdude : Can we pay with rewards for other reward generating items and still get rewards? For example, if I use $30 ink reward coupon from staples to pay for the battery deal or paper deal where you get some rewards back, do I still get the rewards back or would it reduce the rewards. What about the same in OfficeMax and Office Depot.

OD: purchases with rewards do not count as qualifying purchases//not sure whether items with bonus rewards purchased with rewards earn rewards

OM: purchases with rewards do not count as qualifying purchases//to date, items with bonus rewards purchased with rewards DO earn those bonus rewards

Staples: purchase with rewards do not count as qualifying purchases//since the battery/paper deals recently, items with bonus rewards purchased with rewards DO NOT earn those bonus rewards to the extent purchased with rewards (and with coupons for that matter).

Here are the adds to the FAQ:

Q. If I purchase an item with rewards, will I earn the standard purchase rewards (e.g. Staples 10% back on ink or paper purchases)?

No. Items purchased with rewards do not qualify as qualifying purchases for the purpose of earning standard purchase rewards.


Q. If I purchase an item that earns a bonus/special reward (100% back in rewards if item x is purchased, $25 back if item y is purchased) and I purchase that item with rewards, will I receive the bonus/special reward?

It depends.

Office Depot: not sure

OfficeMax: to date, yes, items that earn bonus/special rewards purchased with rewards do earn those bonus/special rewards.

Staples:

-- No -- to the extent purchased with rewards (or coupons for that matter). This is a recent change as detailed in the Duracell and paper reward deals recently.

-- Example A: if the reward is 100% back on the purchase of batteries, and $15 of the $20 purchase price is paid with rewards, the bonus/special reward payout would be $5 ($20-$15).
-- Example B: if the reward is purchase at least $40 in paper and receive $25 in bonus/special rewards, and the total paper purchase is $50 of which $20 is paid with rewards, no bonus/special reward would be earned because only $30 ($50-$20) of the paper purchase would be counted towards the $40 minimum.