Staples Programs: Easy Rebates & Staples Rewards

In the coming weeks, Staples should have some amazing deals for back to school, but some of them will require you to pay upfront and then get your money back via Easy Rebate or Staples Rewards. Both programs are explained in detail below:

STAPLES EASY REBATES

Staples Easy Rebates are pretty much what they sound like. When you buy a qualifying item, the rebate information prints after your receipt, and you can submit your rebate online for processing. It takes 4 to 6 weeks for your rebate to arrive.

Rebates are usually in form of checks or Paypal deposits. I've never gotten a Paypal deposit, but it looks like your Staples email address and your Paypal address do not need to match.

Some rebates are in the form of a Staples gift card or Visa prepaid card. In some cases, you'll be given the option to select a Staples gift card that has an increased reward amount that is greater than the Visa prepaid card or check.

STAPLES REWARDS

Unlike the Easy Rebates, Staples Rewards is a loyalty program that you must enroll in. Each quarter, you get back 10% of all ink, toner, case and ream paper, and copy and print purchases. Staples Rewards are issued in the form of a coupon that can only be redeemed at Staples.

Staples also offers special Staples Rewards deals throughout the year - for example, the last two holiday shopping seasons, they offered 100% back on select Duracell battery purchases. Similar deals will probably be offered during the back to school shopping season - I seem to recall some kind of Staples Rewards deal on binders last year. As long as you spend your rewards coupon wisely, these special offers can be spectacular. (I recommend using rewards to buy ink or toner for your printer - you know you'll need it for all of your coupons!)

Note: If you're a teacher, you may want to join Staples Rewards for Teachers, which also gives you 10% back in Staples Rewards on all teaching and art supplies purchases, and increases the limit per customer on hot deals (like the back to school penny deals) to 25.