Help with Staples rewards and rebates.

Sorry if this is posted in the wrong area as I wasn't sure where to ask.

Can anyone clarify how Staples handles using rewards money on rewards rebates and normal easy rebates.

I have seen people say that rewards money on rewards rebates cancels each other out but can't seem to find documentation on the Staples site. And that only rewards money on easy rebates would now work to get the full amount refunded while using the full rewards money.

Is this an accurate assumption with how Staples handles rewards now?

Thanks in advance and rep for help.

Yes. If you use staples rewards to purchase a buy x, get y rewards item, doing so will reduce the amount you get back. Only use your rewards on easy rebate items or other items you need.

Quote from medcee : Yes. If you use staples rewards to purchase a buy x, get y rewards item, doing so will reduce the amount you get back. Only use your rewards on easy rebate items or other items you need.

This is incorrect. That is only true for percentage promotions (e.g. Buy pen, and get 100% of the purchase price back in Rewards). Flat promotions (e.g. Buy pen, get $4 back in Rewards) are NOT affected by using Rewards or coupons.

Quote from BluddSimple : I have seen people say that rewards money on rewards rebates cancels each other out but can't seem to find documentation on the Staples site. And that only rewards money on easy rebates would now work to get the full amount refunded while using the full rewards money.

Consider the offer's terms.

From the terms of the July 50% back in rewards offer on backpacks:

Offer valid 7/17/11–7/30/11. Valid in-store only. Limit 1 per customer per week. Must be a member of Staples Rewards®. The price eligible for Rewards is the amount paid at checkout after application of all promotions, coupons and Rewards redemptions and does not include tax.

This appears based on the "qualifying purchase" language in the Staples Rewards program's terms and conditions [staplesrewardscenter.com] Section 4: Rewards:

Qualifying Purchase Amount is the amount paid at checkout after application of all promotions, coupons and Rewards redemption. Amounts spent on taxes, postage stamps, delivery charges, pre-paid phone cards, Staples gift cards and third party gift cards do not count towards earning Rewards.

This also impacts rewards offers that have minimum spending requirements. From the terms of the recent triple rewards offer combining recycling and an HP ink purchase:

�_Spend $50 on HP ink in one transaction and earn $6 back in Staples Rewards® per ink cartridge recycled in the same day for in-store purchases or within 7 days of qualifying delivery purchase. Limit of 5 recycled cartridges will each earn $6 back during promotion. Price eligible for meeting minimum spend requirement is amount paid at checkout after application of all promotions, coupons and Rewards redemptions and does not include tax or shipping. ....

It is interesting that the terms in the email for the current 100% back in rewards offer does not have the price eligible for rewards language (but it is being enforced due to the language in the program's terms and conditions):

*Valid through 9/10/11. Limit one of each item per customer. Available in store only. Must be a member of Staples Rewards®. Staples Rewards® membership is FREE. Limit one Staples Rewards® account per person or at any mailing address. Not valid on prior purchases. Purchaser is responsible for paying applicable sales tax. No cash/credit back. While supplies last. Staples Rewards® are issued online monthly when the value of the Reward is at least $10. Rewards expire no less than 60 days after issuance. Monthly balances of less than $10 will roll over each month until the minimum is met for that calendar quarter. If the $10 minimum for the quarter has not been met, the balance will expire at the end of the quarter. For full program details, visit StaplesRewards.com.

So, to date:

--- paying for REBATE items with REWARDS does not impact REBATE payouts.

--- paying for PERCENTAGE BACK IN REWARDS items with REWARDS does reduce REWARDS payouts.

--- paying for FIXED VALUE REWARDS items with REWARDS does not reduce REWARDS payouts.