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Returns, Exchanges, Refunds, Rebates FAQs | Staples.com®
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Returns, Exchanges & Refunds

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Returns Policy

What is your return policy?

If you're not 100% satisfied with your Staples® purchase, you can return it for any reason.

Your purchase must be returned in salable condition with the original packaging, including Universal Product Code (UPC), manuals, parts and your receipt or packing slip.

What can and cannot be returned?

Office Supplies

No matter when you made your purchase, you can return office supplies to us for a full refund, including Staples® brand office products.

Software

Unopened boxed software that we currently sell may be returned for a full refund at any time. Opened software can only be exchanged for the same title version. Downloadable software is not returnable or refundable.

Technology and Business Machines

Technology and business machines — such as computers, digital cameras, printers and tablets — may only be returned within 14 days of the date of receipt, including Staples® brand technology and business machine products.

AppleCare+

Customers who purchased an AppleCare+ Protection Plan at Staples may return to Staples to cancel AppleCare within 30 days to receive a full refund. Staples cannot cancel AppleCare+ for customers who purchased the AppleCare elsewhere. All requests to cancel AppleCare+ beyond 30 days must be directed to Apple to receive a pro-rated refund.

Furniture

Furniture, including Staples® brand furniture, may only be returned within 14 days of the date of receipt. Custom-ordered and custom-assembled furniture is only returnable if it's defective when you receive it.

Ink and Toner Cartridges

Unopened and unexpired ink or toner cartridges, currently carried in our U.S. stores, may be returned at any time for a full refund.

Prepaid Cards

Gift cards and phone cards are nonrefundable and nonreturnable. They are valid only at the retailer/service provider listed on the card. Prepaid cards cannot be redeemed for cash. Specific terms and conditions are included with each card.

I no longer have my receipt. Can I still return something?

If you're returning your item to the same store at which you made the purchase, and you have the credit or debit card you used to make the purchase, we can look up your receipt.

If it was an online order, you can look it up in the My Orders section and reprint your receipt.

If you no longer have your receipt and we cannot locate your transaction information, your return is eligible only for an in-store credit for the lowest selling price within the previous 30 days in our U.S. stores. A valid government identification is required for all returns made without a receipt.

We carefully monitor returns, and in some cases, returns made without a receipt may be refused. Staples reserves the right to deny any return.

If you ordered through our catalog or staples.com®, you can also have us pick up your return — send us an email or call 800-333-3330. For delivered items, we'll refund your delivery charges if the item is defective.

How do I return or exchange something I've ordered online?

You can bring your item to any Staples retail store, even if you ordered it online or by catalog. If you’re unable to go to a store, we’ll either send you a return label via email with return shipping instructions, or we’ll arrange to pick up your item. Just send us an email or call 800-333-3330.

What if the item I want to return was a gift?

If you don't have a receipt, your return is eligible only for an in-store credit for the lowest selling price within the previous 30 days in our U.S. stores. A valid government identification is required for all returns made without a receipt.

We carefully monitor returns, and in some cases, returns made without a receipt may be refused. Staples reserves the right to deny any return.

Note: Any refund granted will go to the buyer's payment method.

I bought something at a Staples retail store and want to return it. Can you send someone to pick it up?

Staples stores do not offer pickup service. Store purchases must be returned to a store. Delivery orders may be returned to Staples by sending us an email or calling 800-333-3330.

When the driver comes with my new order, should I give him the items I want to return?

Drivers cannot accept items for pickup unless you've already called or emailed Staples. When you call or email us for a return, we generate paperwork that the driver will bring to you for signing. This ensures that you receive credit for the items you return.

How will my staples.com item(s) be returned?

Depending on your location and the item you want to return, we’ll either send you a return label via email with return shipping instructions, or we’ll arrange to pick up your item.

If your item will be picked up, we’ll arrange to do so between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Please have your item ready for pickup as early as the next business day after the return request has been generated. Pick up times may vary based on courier and location of product. If your return has not been picked up within five business days, please notify us as soon as possible.

You will receive credit for the returned item when the product is received at the warehouse.

What if I used a coupon to pay for an item I'm returning? Can I get that coupon back to use on another item?

Unfortunately, at this time, the coupon is forfeited at the time of use. You'll be refunded the amount you paid and will not be able to reuse the coupon.

I used my Staples Rewards® earnings on a purchase that I'm returning. Will I get my rewards earnings back?

Not to worry; you won't lose your rewards earnings. If you need to complete a full order return or specific item return, the check amount, which was prorated against the returned item, will be sent back to you in the form of a refund coupon. This coupon may be used for a future order with Staples.

What happens to the Staples Rewards points I earned on the initial purchase when I make a return?

Unfortunately, if you return an item to Staples, you won't be able to keep the points you earned when you purchased that item.

My staples.com order was shipped by one of Staples' partners. Can I return the item to Staples?

Yes, you can. If you need to return an item that came from one of our trusted suppliers, you can simply send it back or bring it to your nearest Staples store, no matter where it came from.

Refunds

How will I be refunded?

If you paid:

  • In a store with cash, debit card or a check, and you have your receipt, we'll refund your purchase with cash
  • In a store using a debit card, and if the card and PIN code are present during the refund, we'll credit the account used for payment
  • In a store or through staples.com and used a credit card, we'll credit the account used for payment
  • With cash, check or by debit card but do not have your debit card, and your purchase exceeded $500 pretax, your money will be refunded in the form of a corporate check

Any product that's returned without a promotional item(s) that was included in the original transaction (e.g., buy a printer, get free ink), will have the value of the promotional item deducted from the amount refunded. Any return of product that included a promotional gift card in the original transaction (e.g., buy a printer, get free gift card), will have the value of the promotional gift card deducted from the amount refunded as gift cards cannot be returned.

For purchases made online or over the phone with multiple methods of payment, the refund will be processed in the following order: Staples Credit Card, major credit card, prepaid credit card (bank-issued gift card), check and Staples gift card. It's important to keep your prepaid credit card until you're completely satisfied with your purchase as we are required to process the refund to the original method of payment.

I bought an item using a gift card. How will the return amount be refunded?

Gift cards can be used only for in-store purchases. When a return is processed where a gift card was used, the amount will be applied back to the gift card. If the customer no longer has the gift card, a new gift card will be issued for the amount.

How will I know if my refund has been processed?

You'll see a credit on your bank statement within 2 to 3 business days. A confirmation email can also be sent to you upon request.

If I return my items over the phone or online, how will I get my credit?

If you paid by credit card, we'll credit the account used for payment. For purchases made with multiple methods of payment, the refund will be processed in the following order: Staples Credit Card, major credit card, prepaid credit card (bank-issued gift card), check and Staples gift card. It's important to keep your prepaid credit card until you're completely satisfied with your purchase as we are required to process the refund to the original method of payment.

Instead of a refund, can I get a store credit or a credit added to my Staples account?

It depends on where you made the purchase. For online purchases, the answer is no. For in-store purchases, you can only get an account credit if you used your account to make a purchase. Store credit can only happen immediately when you return merchandise in store.

Exchanges

I bought the wrong thing. Can I exchange it?

Absolutely. As long as you have your receipt, we'll be happy to exchange the item for a same-priced item at no additional charge.