Change!

Hello Kinder Friends,

I was encouraged by your emails and a very persistent reader ; ) to take this Staples letter a bit further. And if you know me personally there is nothing I hate more than asking for help. But I am asking for help this time... I have been emailed and messaged over my Staples letter for what feels like a million times. It seems that a lot of teachers share the same feeling about the change in policy. If you shopped with Staples last year, I am sure you have gotten your letter in the mail that clearly states the new rules.

My reason for writing the letter was because I truly believed that if someone with a little power could understand why it is so important to us, then surely they would consider a change. I understand I was wrong. My letter was honest and to the point. I shop for school supplies for my classroom because I do not get what I need. It does not matter to me why this happens year after year, it just does. I am a teacher and back to school shopping is a lot of fun for me because I love my job and I love what I do even after all these years. I realize that as a consumer I have a choice and I can go somewhere else across the street where a teacher can purchase class sets of 25 and not have to go in and out of the store, take a bus load of neighborhood kids or wear a wig and sunglasses to shop in your store.

I just thought that if someone knew...they might make a change! If you would like to make a change click on the image above to sign the petition... And thanks, as always!

And yes, I still remember my first box!

Confusion and an ENCORE!

It seems there is a little confusion. I guess when you have more than one blog this kind of stuff can happen. I was nominated for an award for this blog not the other blog and I was nominated for this little old letter. I wasn't going to say one single word and then I thought what the heck let's just give Staples one last chance...

Dear Staples,

I am so disappointed that I was not able to resolve my issue with you today. I have spoken to several of your customer service representatives in different departments and my last call today was with a representative within the office of the president of Staples. I am contacting you regarding your new policy for your back to school shopping limits for teachers. First, I am thankful that you posted your policy early. As teachers we plan for the new school year well in advance. Back to school shopping has always been a very fun time for teachers to get the necessary materials for the coming school year. For some of us, back to school shopping is a huge tradition and we meet and carpool with our teacher friends to grab the latest deals. It's much like those Black Friday days in November.

I understand that now a teacher will not be able to go in your store and purchase a class set of your Extreme Deals at the Extreme Deal price. What I understand is that after I reach my limit of five, I will be paying regular price. I also understand that you will send me the difference back in Staples Rewards for those items above the Extreme Deal price. So let's break it down so we all are clear.

2011 TEACHER POLICY:
25 packages of loose leaf binder paper = $2.50
2012 TEACHER POLICY:

limit of 5 = 50 cents

regular price - $1.99 X 20 packages = $39.80

$39.80 + .50 = $40.30

Take this example further. I know this year I will be buying Spirals for Math Notebooks.

2011 TEACHER POLICY:
25 spirals = $2.50
2012 TEACHER POLICY:

limit of 5 = 50 cents

regular price - $1.99 X 20 spirals = $39.80

$39.80 + .50 = $40.30

And I almost forgot. I have to have Science Notebooks too.

2011 TEACHER POLICY:

2012 TEACHER POLICY:

limit of 5 = 50 cents

regular price - $1.99 X 20 spirals = $39.80

$39.80 + .50 = $40.30

Are you beginning to see the difference?

$40.30 - $2.50 = $37.80

And I would love to have some spirals for my writing center. On second hand, I have paid $120.90 and all I have is a class set of paper, spirals for Math Notebooks, and spirals for Science Notebooks. How can I afford class sets of folders, pencils, map pencils, markers and so on? The truth is with an Extreme Deal like this... I can't. Oh my, what about crayons, watercolors and glue?

Let me explain a little further. Many teachers get very little school supplies when school starts. One reason is that the families that we service can't afford school supplies. As a teacher we assume this responsibility. We shop for Extreme Deals because we have no choice. We need supplies for the children in our classroom. Simply stated, we need basic materials to TEACH. A reward check does us no good if we have to spend hundreds of dollars to prepare for our school year and you are sending it to us at a later date. We do not need to go back to school shopping in November. We NEED the supplies before the children walk in the door.

Your customer service representative today told me to make a choice and shop elsewhere for my Extreme Deals. I will admit I was a little shocked that YOUR customer service representative suggested that. I have always been a loyal customer and that is why I called today and every other day this week. I wanted to be sure you understood how this new change in policy would not benefit a teacher at all. I honestly thought nobody realized this. Instead of just shopping at your local competitors, I wanted to let you know and see if somebody would listen and perhaps just consider a change.

PS

Staples if you are listening, I will be sending you a letter addressed to:

The Office of the President of Staples

C/O The President

500 Staples Dr.

Framingham, Massachusetts

01702

And I will call to follow up

1-800-338-0252 X4

Dear Staples

Dear Staples,

I am so disappointed that I was not able to resolve my issue with you today. I have spoken to several of your customer service representatives in different departments and my last call today was with a representative within the office of the president of Staples. I am contacting you regarding your new policy for your back to school shopping limits for teachers. First, I am thankful that you posted your policy early. As teachers we plan for the new school year well in advance. Back to school shopping has always been a very fun time for teachers to get the necessary materials for the coming school year. For some of us, back to school shopping is a huge tradition and we meet and carpool with our teacher friends to grab the latest deals. It's much like those Black Friday days in November.

I understand that now a teacher will not be able to go in your store and purchase a class set of your Extreme Deals at the Extreme Deal price. What I understand is that after I reach my limit of five, I will be paying regular price. I also understand that you will send me the difference back in Staples Rewards for those items above the Extreme Deal price. So let's break it down so we all are clear.

2011 TEACHER POLICY:
25 packages of loose leaf binder paper = $2.50
2012 TEACHER POLICY:

limit of 5 = 50 cents

regular price - $1.99 X 20 packages = $39.80

$39.80 + .50 = $40.30

Take this example further. I know this year I will be buying Spirals for Math Notebooks.  

2011 TEACHER POLICY:
25 spirals = $2.50
2012 TEACHER POLICY:

limit of 5 = 50 cents

regular price - $1.99 X 20 spirals = $39.80

$39.80 + .50 = $40.30

  

And I almost forgot. I have to have Science Notebooks too.

2011 TEACHER POLICY:

2012 TEACHER POLICY:

limit of 5 = 50 cents

regular price - $1.99 X 20 spirals = $39.80

$39.80 + .50 = $40.30

Are you beginning to see the difference?

$40.30 - $2.50 = $37.80

 

And I would love to have some spirals for my writing center. On second hand, I have paid $120.90 and all I have is a class set of paper, spirals for Math Notebooks, and spirals for Science Notebooks. How can I afford class sets of folders, pencils, map pencils, markers and so on? The truth is with an Extreme Deal like this... I can't. Oh my, what about crayons, watercolors and glue?

 

Let me explain a little further. Many teachers get very little school supplies when school starts. One reason is that the families that we service can't afford school supplies. As a teacher we assume this responsibility. We shop for Extreme Deals because we have no choice. We need supplies for the children in our classroom. Simply stated, we need basic materials to TEACH. A reward check does us no good if we have to spend hundreds of dollars to prepare for our school year and you are sending it to us at a later date. We do not need to go back to school shopping in November. We NEED the supplies before the children walk in the door.

 

Your cutomer service representative today told me to make a choice and shop elsewhere for my Extreme Deals. I will admit I was a little shocked that YOUR customer service representative suggested that. I have always been a loyal customer and that is why I called today and every other day this week. I wanted to be sure you understood how this new change in policy would not benefit a teacher at all. I honestly thought nobody realized this. Instead of just shopping at your local competetors, I wanted to let you know and see if somebody would listen and perhaps just consider a change.

 

PS

Staples if you are listening, I will be sending you a letter addressed to:

The Office of the President of Staples

C/O The President

500 Staples Dr.

Framingham, Massachusetts

01702

And I will call to follow up

1-800-338-0252 X4