Staples ends EasyRewards Programs; gains Air Miles

[RobinMonks]

Starting the end of this month, you'll no longer get easyRewards (on July 1st, you'll lose access to your transaction record there as well). A few days later on March 6th Staples will join the growing army of stores trying to coax you into buying two products you don't want for an Air Mile. They're also giving a TERRIBLE value of 1 mile for every $40 spent, which sucks (most stores are $20 or $25).

Also, this is probably only good news for secretaries and supply managers, because what company actually has an air miles card? Will folks buy their employer's business supplies at Staples just to collect their own rewards points?

Details here: http://www.staples.ca/sbdca/en_CA/cr...les/index.html

[torontogal12]

I didn't know Staples even had a rewards program.

Yes good news for people who order supplies, but $40 is pretty steep. Don't need two staplers for 3 airmiles. I always hate when Metro does that. Buy two items you don't need, get 2 bonus air miles

[ericaraina]

I didn't know either! But last week I was hoarding some trading supplies and I noticed them at the cash and signed up. I found out 2 days later that they were ending it. Not sure why they still have them on the counters!

I didn't know Staples even had a rewards program.

Yes good news for people who order supplies, but $40 is pretty steep. Don't need two staplers for 3 airmiles. I always hate when Metro does that. Buy two items you don't need, get 2 bonus air miles

[ericaraina]

By the way, torontogal12, i tried to PM you for a trade yesterday and it says your inbox is full!!

I didn't know Staples even had a rewards program.

Yes good news for people who order supplies, but $40 is pretty steep. Don't need two staplers for 3 airmiles. I always hate when Metro does that. Buy two items you don't need, get 2 bonus air miles

[plc]

Interesting... here in Alberta, it is 1 mile for every $30 you spend at Staples. I wonder if this will be changing.

[Shwa Girl]

Thanks for the info.

[RobinMonks]

Interesting indeed! Are Alberta Staple's a different company/franchise from those on the east coast?

[danip467]

yes, and ALberta's been doing the airmiles program for a couple months(?) now. The airmiles doesn't draw me in, you get hardle any for each purchase. If they make it lower it's just another corporate BOOOO from me

[nessa23]

I saw this yesterday, and thought it was interesting....

I wonder if Corporate Express is going to follow suit? (now owned by staples corp)

[RobinMonks]

I saw this yesterday, and thought it was interesting....

I wonder if Corporate Express is going to follow suit? (now owned by staples corp)

Would make sense, although Staples Advantage Canada is owned by Staples Inc. rather than Staples Canada Inc. (even though it is also owned by Staples Inc.). So an entirely different set of overpaid marketing executives run that one

[ericaraina]

Would make sense, although Staples Advantage Canada is owned by Staples Inc. rather than Staples Canada Inc. (even though it is also owned by Staples Inc.). So an entirely different set of overpaid marketing executives run that one

[dq14]

I wrote to staples to let them know i was disappointed in their decision to change reward programs. I work in a school and the purchases I make are for myself and the students and the reward cheques I receive I use to buy supplies like pencils and paper for the kids that don't have. The 1 mile for $40 is just useless and the kids lose out. Please consider writing to staples. It probably won't change anything but they should know that some of us are not happy.
thanks

[RobinMonks]

I wrote to staples to let them know i was disappointed in their decision to change reward programs. I work in a school and the purchases I make are for myself and the students and the reward cheques I receive I use to buy supplies like pencils and paper for the kids that don't have. The 1 mile for $40 is just useless and the kids lose out. Please consider writing to staples. It probably won't change anything but they should know that some of us are not happy.
thanks

I suspect they were loosing a lot on the program, and, given the short deadline and the fact that they're basically only giving you 10.5 cents for every $40 you spend (not sure what companies pay for the bulk rate of Air Miles, I'm going by the redeemed value of $10 = 95 miles) they're practically removing rewards entirely. Here in NB parents have to buy enough supplies to do 2 or 3 kids, each... one does wonder where the education budget goes between government and the teachers >.< A lot of words to say Staples won't be changing back.