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PSA - new Staples rewards system effective 2/7/2024
February 7, 2024 at
10:14 PM
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Last Edited by Geckohands March 14, 2024 at 03:56 PM
Just FYI, Staples has gone ahead and overhauled their rewards system. It's now called Easy Rewards
https://www.staples.com/lp/easyrewardsover
Some highlights:
How to check/access your old rewards balances:
https://www.staples.com/hc?id=832...4cc
Any Staples rewards earned up to February 6, 2024, will be received in full. As of March 14, 2024, all Staples rewards (earned under the old system) should have been issued. You will be able to use your (old) rewards up to the expiration date listed on your issued rewards (which have all been extended to April 30, 2024).
To view your remaining balance, use the app. In the app, tap the Account icon on the bottom right of the app. Scroll down and select "Other Balances" to see your remaining rewards. You may need to scroll up/down and swipe right/left to view more rewards.
Ink Recycling Rewards (under the old system):
I personally did receive my Ink Recycling Rewards (under the old system) that were issued in January and February. I recycled ink on February 2nd, and those rewards were issued on March 14, 2024.
Due to the rewards system transition, Staples members were able to "double dip" in February 2024 by recycling ink before Feb 7 (under the old system) and then recycling ink after Feb 7 (under the new system). When recycling ink after Feb 7, the rewards were issued immediately.
Other Pending Rewards (under the old system):
I purchased $50 of ink on February 1st using a promo code that would give me 50% rewards (i.e., $25 rewards). I did not see that reward when I checked my old rewards balance on Feb 7 so I contacted Staples via email (click the "Contact Us" button in the link [staples.com]). They responded with:
I don't have all the answers. The above writeup is based on my current understanding of how the new rewards system works. Please add posts to correct/add any info.
https://www.staples.com/lp/easyrewardsover
Some highlights:
- Earning points - Earn 1 point per $1 spent. In store, online and in the app. Exclusions apply. (It seems 1 point is worth 1/2 cent based on how redemption works.)
- 3 Bonus Categories - Earn 2x points in 3 categories that you select for yourself. (The terms seem to say you can reselect these categories at any time so it seems customers can "juggle" these categories before every purchase?)
- Points never expire for active members - For an account to remain active, a member must earn or redeem at least one point in an 18-month period.
- Redeeming points - Redeem 200 points for $1. Redeem in $1 increments.
- Easy Rewards "special" offers - It seems from time to time, either personalized or global offers are available where you can earn extra rewards on certain purchases. You will need to activate them before making your purchase in order to earn these extra rewards.
- Ink/Toner Recycling Eligibility [staples.com] - Their terms don't mention anything about having to purchase $50 of ink/toner in the last 180 days in order to be eligible to recycle ink/toner. So I don't know if that rule still applies in this new rewards system.
- Ink/Toner Recycling Limits Per Month (basic) - For the free basic Staples membership, you can recycle 10 cartridges per month for 100 points each (totaling 1000 points = $5).
- Ink/Toner Recycling Limits Per Month (Plus) - For the paid ($49 annual fee) Staples Plus membership, you can recycle 20 cartridges per month for 400 points each (totaling 8000 points = $40). (Note: it seems that people can't purchase Plus membership after Feb 7, 2024. Existing Plus members were grandfathered in.)
How to check/access your old rewards balances:
https://www.staples.com/hc?id=832...4cc
Any Staples rewards earned up to February 6, 2024, will be received in full. As of March 14, 2024, all Staples rewards (earned under the old system) should have been issued. You will be able to use your (old) rewards up to the expiration date listed on your issued rewards (which have all been extended to April 30, 2024).
To view your remaining balance, use the app. In the app, tap the Account icon on the bottom right of the app. Scroll down and select "Other Balances" to see your remaining rewards. You may need to scroll up/down and swipe right/left to view more rewards.
Ink Recycling Rewards (under the old system):
I personally did receive my Ink Recycling Rewards (under the old system) that were issued in January and February. I recycled ink on February 2nd, and those rewards were issued on March 14, 2024.
Due to the rewards system transition, Staples members were able to "double dip" in February 2024 by recycling ink before Feb 7 (under the old system) and then recycling ink after Feb 7 (under the new system). When recycling ink after Feb 7, the rewards were issued immediately.
Other Pending Rewards (under the old system):
I purchased $50 of ink on February 1st using a promo code that would give me 50% rewards (i.e., $25 rewards). I did not see that reward when I checked my old rewards balance on Feb 7 so I contacted Staples via email (click the "Contact Us" button in the link [staples.com]). They responded with:
Upon reviewing your inquiry, you will be receiving your 50% back in rewards promotion on order # XXXXXXXXXX in March. To access previously earned Rewards statements and February 1st -7th statement, please download our Staples app and select Account, then navigate to Other Balances and Staples Rewards. You can also refer to your statement email for the full 16-digit code.On March 14, I received my Staples rewards (under the old system) for purchasing ink.
Please let me know if there's anything else I can help you with.
I don't have all the answers. The above writeup is based on my current understanding of how the new rewards system works. Please add posts to correct/add any info.
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I do miss the old days but I'm still riding this pony.
https://www.staples.com/lp/easyrewardsover
Some highlights:
How to check/access your old rewards balances:
https://www.staples.com/hc?id=832...4cc
Any Staples rewards earned up to February 6, 2024, will be received in full. You will be able to use your rewards up to the expiration date listed on your issued rewards.
To view your remaining balance, use the app. In the app, tap the Account icon on the bottom right of the app. Scroll down and select "Other Balances" to see your remaining rewards. You may need to swipe right/left on view more rewards.
Ink Recycling Rewards (under the old system):
I personally did receive my Ink Recycling Rewards (under the old system) that were issued in January and February. I recycled ink on February 2nd, so I expect to receive that reward in March when they issue it (for the last time?). I plan to recycle again for February under the new reward system because:
worst case scenario- Staples will only honor one of those recycling efforts.
best case scenario- Staples will honor both of those recycling efforts.
Other Pending Rewards (under the old system):
I purchased $50 of ink on February 1st using a promo code that would give me 50% rewards (i.e., $25 rewards). I did not see that reward when I checked my old rewards balance so I contacted Staples via email (click the "Contact Us" button in the link [staples.com]). They responded with:So I now have written confirmation that Staples will issue me my pending reward. Hopefully, this means that all pending rewards will be honored. If you're worried about yours, I guess you can go ahead and contact them directly about your situation.
I don't have all the answers. The above writeup is based on my current understanding of how the new rewards system works. Please add posts to correct/add any info.
So are you saying and thinking we should be able to double dip if you had recycled 20 during 2/1 thru 2/7 and again under the new program change? I had also recycled on 2/2, however, I can't seem to find that history anywhere other than my receipt as well as online purchase history indicating the recycling back on 2/2 since the former dashboard no longer exists to provide me that summary of what's been recycled. I'm tempted to recycle again this month but likely Staples may come back and say you already recycled back on 2/2 and can't be eligible under old and new programs when the rewards are eventually paid out in March.
So are you saying and thinking we should be able to double dip if you had recycled 20 during 2/1 thru 2/7 and again under the new program change? I had also recycled on 2/2, however, I can't seem to find that history anywhere other than my receipt as well as online purchase history indicating the recycling back on 2/2 since the former dashboard no longer exists to provide me that summary of what's been recycled. I'm tempted to recycle again this month but likely Staples may come back and say you already recycled back on 2/2 and can't be eligible under old and new programs when the rewards are eventually paid out in March.
I recycled 20 ink cartridges both before and after February 7 (so 40 in total). Under the new rewards system, I immediately received my 80,000 reward points. Under the old rewards system, I need to wait until March before I find out if Staples will honor their old ink recycling rewards policy.
In short, for recycling 40 ink cartridges in February, I already received $40 in rewards and I hope to receive another $40 in rewards under the old system. Even if I don't receive the additional $40, I personally feel I'm still coming out ahead since empty ink cartridges are worthless to me.
I do miss the old days but I'm still riding this pony.
And was also surprised today that I could partially pay for third-party egc using my easy rewards balance.
And was also surprised today that I could partially pay for third-party egc using my easy rewards balance.
Unfortunately 2nd order for egc using easy rewards got cancelled
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From another thread, I read about how Staples didn't program their system 100% correctly such that recycling 1 ink cartridge will kind of "use up" the monthly allotment for 1 tech recycling, which may explain what happened to you. Personally, when I recycled 1 tech item and 20 inks in just one transaction, I only received $43 instead of $45 in rewards. I don't fully understand the logical steps, but posts were telling people to recycle 2 tech items in 1st transaction and then recycle 20 inks in a 2nd transaction, in order to receive the $45. I think some other post said to just recycle 1 tech item and 21 inks.
From another thread, I read about how Staples didn't program their system 100% correctly such that recycling 1 ink cartridge will kind of "use up" the monthly allotment for 1 tech recycling, which may explain what happened to you. Personally, when I recycled 1 tech item and 20 inks in just one transaction, I only received $43 instead of $45 in rewards. I don't fully understand the logical steps, but posts were telling people to recycle 2 tech items in 1st transaction and then recycle 20 inks in a 2nd transaction, in order to receive the $45. I think some other post said to just recycle 1 tech item and 21 inks.
When I first redeemed, I was going to do a writing item, the clerk said, add a battery to trigger the tech bonus. On a separate receipt, I did 20 ink carts. While In store, it credited 1000 and then 400x20=8000.
However, on 2nd trip, I didn't have a battery to redeem as I wasn't ready to use the $10 of $30 coupon that gets printed when you redeem a tech item. So, I did 20 ink carts and it only gave me 1000pts as a bonus tech item. Store personnel won't help you as they say they can't cancel a receipt with no balance. I had to contact customer service to get proper credit.
Make sure you do tech item first on a separate receipt and then ink carts 2nd on the next receipt in that order to get proper credit.
When I first redeemed, I was going to do a writing item, the clerk said, add a battery to trigger the tech bonus. On a separate receipt, I did 20 ink carts. While In store, it credited 1000 and then 400x20=8000.
However, on 2nd trip, I didn't have a battery to redeem as I wasn't ready to use the $10 of $30 coupon that gets printed when you redeem a tech item. So, I did 20 ink carts and it only gave me 1000pts as a bonus tech item. Store personnel won't help you as they say they can't cancel a receipt with no balance. I had to contact customer service to get proper credit.
Make sure you do tech item first on a separate receipt and then ink carts 2nd on the next receipt in that order to get proper credit.
So I'm not sure if these 2024 coupons have a similar extended expiration, but they might.
And again, great theory on their 19 inks bug. It makes perfect sense that they would program it that way, clear QA, think it's all good, and of course it is not.
I'll try this next month. For March, I recycled the tech item first, and then the 20 inks, but it was all in the same transaction (one receipt), and I got credit for just 19 inks and 1 tech. So separate receipts may be required, with the tech done first.
Strange..
Strange..
I think I read in another thread that some people may have had multiple Staples accounts which were merged and resulted in some strange side effects, one of them being a 30 cartridge limit. If I were you, I'd keep my mouth shut and not ask Staples... just keep recycling 30 until they tell you otherwise.