Introduction
As you guys know, I have a knack for retailer/bank/credit card bans. This is great (well, not great), but this also means that you guys send me your own banning stories and we sorta kumbaya together in sorrow. Well, today’s reader story is how to get banned from your Staples Rewards account.
The story (unedited but bolding was mine):
So, this is what happened. I recycle ink at Staples every month. I am Premier based on all the routers and iPads I bought last year.
I have been careful not to use my Rewards # when I use coupons (esp. if these coupons were purchased on ebay). FYI, these are coupons are meant to be used on the original account they were issued to, but a lot of people sell them on ebay
I used one such coupon for a purchase recently (it was actually for a toner, and to maintain my 180 day ink recycling eligibility), so I had to give out my rewards #.
Foolishly, I broke my own rule and gave out my rewards #. Sure enough, in a few days, when I logged into my Rewards #, there was a message there saying that the rewards going forward would be issued to some guy (some Chinese sounding name)
I was shocked, but only came to know today that it was because of “cross-coupon redemption” (yes, this was the exact phrase the CSR used).
So, takeaway is that if you want to use someone else’s coupon that you bought from eBay, etc, don’t give out your rewards #. Better, try not to use these coupons. And don’t be foolish like me.
Lessons Learned
Like the reader said, “Don’t use your Rewards number when using someone else’s coupon.” I know I’ve used these coupons in the past, so I’m surprised this happened. Maybe Staples is finally cracking down, so tread carefully with these coupons going forward.
what does the Premier based part in “I am Premier based on all the routers and iPads I bought last year” mean? rather how does it effect in context of something as innocuous as routers & ipads :S
and to this reader, who cares, just open up a new acct. you’ll be upto speed in no time. you made out like a bandit on the prev acct anyways, even if you had to forfeit a few rewards that might have still been in there before it got closed/transferred over to the Chinese guy you bought from eBay.
btw what sort of coupon was it- just an $X discount on certain brand of toner?
” I attained premier status through buying stuff for reselling. I guess I should have been more clear (though I thought it was simple enough that people would understand).
Forfeiting a few rewards is OK. I am not terribly concerned about that. In fact, you guys who ordered the McAfee software online using a portal were smarter in hindsight. Staples is actually not giving back 25% on orders made on Sunday or Tuesday onwards that week (see Staples thread on SD for more information on this)
And to answer Bruce Wayne’s last question, the coupon was just a regular $25 off $75 coupon, except that it was issued to this Chinese guy who turned around and resold it on eBay
Can you start up a new Rewards account? Or is your name or CC number or something linked permanently in their computers?
“yes, you can start a new Rewards account. However, once they link your name and especially your address with your new Rewards account, they will merge it. Easiest way is to open a PO box and then use a variation of your name. Use your middle name as your first name for your new rewards account, for instance. This is one idea”