How Staples (and others) help Employees Steal
82I just returned from a small shopping errand to get toner for an office copier. I stopped at Staples which is unusual for me since our local Staples is not customer friendly as a general rule. But today was Saturday and Staples is closer to my home so I made a choice.
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I knew the toner was going to be about $140 but also knew that we had been putting off getting some other supplies and decided to shop the store. I was incredibly pleased as it seemed I had run into quite a sale. Bright copy paper which usually sold for almost $10.00 a ream was on sale for $3.00. As I meandered around the store, I also found sale identifiers on laser labels (normally $12.00 now on sale for $5.99), markers and a few other things that we needed. I calculated I had spent about $180.00. Not a problem, I never minded tying up my own resources for a few days. I tried however, not to ever tie up more than about $150 so this was a stretch even for me but the sales were amazing and would save us a lot of money over time. Imagine my surprise when I checked out and was told the total was $290.00! I asked the clerk to explain and he reached for the ad that was laying on the counter. He told me that the copy paper and all of the other sale items were on “Easy Rebate” which differs from “Instant Rebate”. Since I don’t normally shop this store I had to ask him again to explain. He said that they charge the full price but that his register would print out a rebate slip and all I needed to do was take it home, go on line and complete the forms and then …well he didn’t know but he was sure it was “EASY” … and his voice trailed off. I gave him everything back except the toner, told him I saw nothing “easy” about that except for the Staples personnel and stalked out of the store.
Instant rebates are savings that are taken immediately at the register. These are negotiated by the stores with the wholesalers or manufacturers (commonly called “suppliers”). They are very easy to estimate and track in today’s computer age. The supplier knows how much the store sells in a particular time frame and knows approximately how much a markdown will increase the sales so it can easily track the expense for the sale. It appears “Easy Rebates” are “sales” that lost in the negotiation process. These are savings where the supplier is taking a “calculated risk”. With data they have collected, the supplier is calculating that only a certain percentage of customers will take the extra step to go on line and complete the forms. This allows for the store to add the items to their sales catalogue but the supplier will be able to defer the extra cost over time so it won’t hit their bottom line all at the same time.. and in the long run the supplier will have a lower advertising cost overall. The store wins and the supplier wins but what about the consumer? The consumer wins IF they take the time and can wade through all of the requirements – and if they can wait for four to eight weeks to get their money back.
 | Amazon Price: $0.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $5.63 List Price: $17.00 |
So where does the “stealing” come in?
Why does this have anything to do with employee theft? Think about it. There are millions of small offices around the world and quite often they have office managers or other personnel who buy supplies with their own money and then turn in the receipts for reimbursement. I could have potentially bought the bright copy paper for almost $10.00, turned in my receipt and the company would have reimbursed me that amount. In the meantime, I could have gone on line, completed the form, registered the rebate and had the $6.00 difference sent to me. Nice little profit for me – spend $10.00, get reimbursed $10.00 then get a check for $6.00 - all for one ream of copy paper, not to mention the rest of the items I had planned to buy. Had I used this technique with everything I originally put in my basket today, I would have profited $110.00 risk free and in less time than it takes for Wall Street to write a check. No one would come looking for me, my company wouldn't fire me for stealing. It's quite a honey of a deal!
But I submit that it is also wrong, unethical and is actually employee theft.
 | Amazon Price: $32.00 List Price: $55.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $50.00 |
Now many of you may say that the office employee rarely gets paid a living wage and deserves everything he or she can get – besides they took their time to go to the store. I personally call it out and out stealing or “employee theft”. The business is ultimately the purchaser since they reimbursed the employee – they own the rights to sue if something is wrong with the product and they own the receipt. Calculating the savings for a small business over time, this can add up to be significant and in looking at my office which is non-profit, the difference between what was stolen and others being fed or getting a warm coat can be crucial. Staples and other retailers who practice this are feeding on today’s economic crisis, they are “setting up” the system and inviting fraud.
Why is this different than an employee claiming the frequent flier miles that are given for flights? The difference would be that the employee actually had to do the traveling, not the business entity. In the case of frequent flier points, the employee became the direct stake holder for the action since the individual actually had to do the travel. In the case of rebates, the business is the direct stake holder since they are the direct users of the product and since the buyer was reimbursed for the product with company funds.
As a footnote...
I will go back and purchase the items but I’ll do it with the company credit card and I’ll complete the rebate process but I’ll do it in the name of the office.
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Interesting little tid-bit you put here. I can follow your thinking and I find you to be very smart. Thank you. :)
Thanks Jim, I was a bit nervous about pointing fingers but this was such a large amount, I was completely outraged. I too think the whole thing a manipulation of our dollars. As far as "stealing" is concerned, I think rebates especially from an office supply store where a vast majority of their merchandise is used by businesses is a sanctioned invitation to employees to take what isn't theirs - much like baiting. I can also see the potential for an employee to do the same thing even though they are using petty cash funds. The whole process is scary. Thanks for taking a look.
Cagsil, you know I always appreciate your comments. Thanks for telling me I'm not completely out of my head here.
First off, petty cash would be different. One, you are using the Companies money to purchase the items and they should receive any rebates. Two, there is no risk or expenditure for you personally, ergo, you have no justification for profit. Using business funds for direct personal profit is absolutely unethical and possibly illegal. In the first case, however; you had both risk and expenditure, and compensation is more readily justified, especially since you are, in essence, loaning money to a business.
Second, given the initial scenario: If purchased using a credit card or similar method wherein you are identified on the receipt, your employer may not even be able to receive the rebate, since the name on the receipt would conflict with the identity of the claimant.
Thoroughly interesting read, written from a viewpoint that I had never considered.
Thanks Nem for stopping by. It's a tough situation but I hate seeing vunerable people be used. It's a corporate game and the consumer is the pawn. Trick is to recognize it and say no. Shopping for a consumer is a need and an activity - Shopping for retailers is a business and they will use every possible means to meet and exceed the bottom line.
I just want shoppers to take a moment to really understand what they are buying, under what circumstances and to realize the ethical side of their transactions.
AWESOME HUB, ROPE!!! It is always soooo nice to see there are still down-home, true-to-the-heart people out there!!! This is definately an important topic on so many levels because it's true! Who's to say that the majority of our problems at this moment don't stem from similar acts of fraud and theft? Sounds pretty logical to me!
Nice article but i am confused!
Allergy, I appreciate you stopping by. Please drop me an email and I'll be happy to help you with any questions you have about this concept.
I think the rebate thing is a scam. I sent in one on something that I bought over the holidays from a well known department store. I did everything they said to do and actually mailed it in. Well I got a letter a week ago or so and they said that the barcode that I mailed in and the receipt weren't appropriate and that they could not reimburse. Well you know I mailed in the only barcode on the package and the only receipt. So beware of that. I will never buy anything that requires a mail in or email rebate.
Thanks Tammy! I am so sorry for your trouble. This happens so often it is unconscionable.! Usually companies outsource the business of rebates and the company that is chosen is given a budget so it has no stake in the matter to be "generous". The amounts are usually small enough that the average consumer doesn't pursue the issue. Not illegal but neither will it win the retailer any further business.
sounds about right with rebates, when I used to work as a cashier and the instant rebate/ rebate thing drove me nuts. Consider this Stumbled Upon.
Rebecca - Thanks for stopping in. I can't imagine the nightmare it must be for the cashiers who have no say in the matter but must bear the brunt of the customer's ire. Appreciate the "heads up"!
not much fun, but it's also because we weren't told what was and wasn't instant...
Rope----Excellent Hub! It does sometimes require the services of a Philadelphia lawyer to interpret all of the Latin and Classical Greek on coupons and rebates. Companies can make money inducing consumers to jump through hoops with various offers ( especially in this economy) using rebates. For example, Office Depot offers instant rebates on empty ink cartridges. Except, that is, on the cartridges required by my copier. Just read the very fine print!
Advertising gimmicks are rampant and far to slick. It's scary to think our children are being taught to think in these terms. Thanks for taking the time to add your experiences here.
I agree with you completely that it is theft. I would not occur to me to even try to submit in duplicate to my employer and for the rebate. However, I can see how others may. It truly boils down to one's own ethics and morals. Great hub, and you've explained the problem perfectly.
Thanks for your kind comments Beth. I spent much of my working years, auditing employee theft so this type of theft tends to jump out and sear itself into my mind immediately. It is amazing how many and how creative some employees can be.
Interesting read and well written. An important subject to raise, many people will not be aware of, I wasn't.
Thanks "Wren" for stopping by. Glad it was thought provoking for you.
I am only aware about the mail-in rebate and instant rebate. I haven't encountered yet the easy rebate. This is a good information for all consumers or buyers to be more extra careful when they buy something in the store. Nice hub.
Thanks for stopping by Tina. Rebates have long been a "bone of contention" for many but this is just an out and out invitation to "fudge" and I really hate to see more consumers "taken in" by bad store practices.
hmm I think I should have read this before I bought that laptop! No wonder that store manager was happy to wait on me...I thought about joining thier recycle printer ink program but thought it was too much work. As for the rebates on my laptop I am still waiting on them!
First of all I would like to point out that each and every sale item that has a rebate on it has that information clearly marked. Secondly offering savings via rebate is a perfectly legitimate business practice that is done in many industries. Finally if an office employee is willing to steal from the company they will do so by any means that they are able to. The blame does not rest with the store for offering rebate incentives but with the employee who is dishonest.
I'm amazed to find such ignorance and misinformation and half-truths from someone who is apparently supposed to be an intelligent business person. I am an employee at a Staples Copy and Print Center, and as such I have purchased several items that include an "Easy Rebate". It is literally as simple as typing in your name, address and a few numbers from your receipt. I am so tired of seeing half-witted business men come into Staples and start complaining about how they are dissatisfied with some part of the sales process. As a Staples employee, I do feel a little neglect from the company I work for, but I am also grateful to have a firm job I don't have to worry about being laid off from because the structure of that business is stable enough to make it through a tough economy. All of the management officials above me, including District and Regional managers are honest hard-working people, and I think most of the field management team employed by Staples is encouraged from the top of the corporate ladder and down to be ethical and courteous. So the next time you go whining about how you didn't pay attention the the signs that say "Rebate", remember that a lot of people can support their families and live without fear of job loss because of these business practices that are in place, and considering the increased business Staples receives each year, apparently attracts a large portion of consumers.
Staples is a rip-off!
read this blog to get the inside scoop:
www.iworkatpencils.blogspot.com
stop bitching. you must be retarded if you think an EasyRebate is hard.
How is an easy rebate anything related to theft or thereof. Easy rebate is basically a regular rebate that is submitted directly to staples and then you get the money from that rebate sent to you in a form of a check. Would you think a pharmacy would be stealing if there was a rebate on asparin that you had to send in to get a dollar or two back that you paid. The problem is that most consumer namely the one that started the post clearly did not read the "laser" tags that they mentioned. Why was it a shock when it was $290, also I question the validity of the post since basically there were maybe a few items mentioned, how did this total get to $290 clearly they left out other things they purchased. Just to finish up if you have a problem with staples or any other company that has a rebates system, ask a manager to clearly explain the process and maybe stop throwing "theft" around to describe employees since clearly you do not know what the word means.
I have to say that I understand people's frustration, but I've always received my rebates from Staples. If you do it online, you don't have to mail anything in, so if there ever was an issue, you still have the barcode and receipt. But like I said, I've never had an issue. I figure rebates are better than no sale at all.
Are the easy rebates misleading? Maybe so. Are we supposed to read the small print? Yes. Are we not free NOT to shop at a store which engages in practices we don't like? Absolutely. The way I see it is that if you had sent in the rebate and kept it after reimbursement from your employer, the only thief would be you.
Jim Bryan 2 years ago
First off, I think the whole mail-in rebate, online rebate, easy rebate, etc. is theft in and of itself and the practice should be outlawed. The current system allows the companies to generate millions in interest for no good reason. Not only do they rely on you to NOT apply for the rebate, I have seen several instances and experienced a few where some arcane rule was applied to disqualify the rebate. Since we are only talking a few dollars at a time, there is no efficient action to take, except to swear off the process. I see it as an unfair and deceptive business practice and do not buy items without the "instant" type rebate.
Insofar as your Hub goes, there are two ways to look at it.
1. fraud.
2. Transaction fee. You are tying up your personal finances, you are bearing the risk of your card's information being stolen or having your card overcharged, and you will pay any fees and penalties. Your company (and/or the rebating company) may not reimburse you for weeks or even months, so this may become significant. Also. if you are an hourly or commissioned employee, you are not being paid to purchase this merchandise for your company and have no other method by which to be compensated for your labor. Since your company is making additional money from this type of transaction and the rebating company is doing the same (both are going to draw interest off of your personal finances) why are you the only person losing on the deal? Essentially, how is not letting them take advantage of you "stealing"?