9 Smart Ways to Save on School Supplies at Staples

It’s already time to save on school supplies!

It’s that time of year again, and the back-to-school shopping frenzy is already ramping up! One of our favorite back-to-school retailers is Staples because of the wide range of school supplies they sell, and because we know we’ll see some of the best deals of the season there.

Don’t wait until the last minute! Get ready for back-to-school now with these smart ways to save when buying your school supplies at Staples.

1. Sign up for Staples Rewards.

The Staples Rewards program is free to join, and by signing up, you’ll be entitled to special savings and perks that you can use to save on back-to-school shopping. Members get 2%-5% rewards on every purchase, free delivery with no minimum on eligible items, and $2 rewards for recycled ink cartridges (up to 20/month).

2. Find teachers’ supply lists online.

Staples lets schools and teachers share their supply lists on the Staples website. Although it might be early to locate your child’s supply list right now, keep checking as the summer goes on. By the end of last summer, Staples will have shared over one million supply lists!

3. Watch for 25¢ items.

Although Staples discontinued the 1¢ back-to-school deals they used to offer, you can still find select school supplies for only 25¢ each week! We’re already seeing some of these 25¢ deals pop up, so keep your eyes open!

4. Make sure you’re getting a great price.

Download our FREE printable School Supply Price Point List as a quick reference while you’re shopping, so you’ll know for sure whether you’ve found a great price (or whether you should hold out for a better deal)!

5. Check the clearance section.

Most Staples locations have a clearance section in the back of the store, where items are added throughout the week. Clearance items will be marked with yellow tags and show the final price after all markdowns.

If you venture beyond the back-to-school section, you may find a better deal on an item that Staples carries year-round. For example, highlighters sold in the aisle with other writing instruments may be less expensive than those sold up front with the back-to-school supplies. It doesn’t hurt to look!

Either way, remember to refer to our School Supply Price Points list to make sure you’ve truly found a great deal.

6. Shop with discounted gift cards.

Check Raise.com for Staples gift cards before you start your back-to-school shopping. Although discounts can vary from day to day, we usually see the Staples gift cards selling for 2 – 5% less than face value. Every little bit helps!

7. Use Staples’ 110% Price-Match Guarantee.

If you find a lower price on an identical item in-store, simply show it to a Staples associate, and they’ll match the price. Plus, you’ll receive a 10% discount based on the difference!

Take the other retailer’s weekly ad with you, or use your phone to compare prices as you shop in-store. Check out the Staples website for all the details.

8. Get $10 off if they’re out of the ink or toner you need.

Staples has an Ink & Toner Guarantee that promises they’ll have your inkjet or toner cartridge in stock. If the cartridge is currently stocked in-store, but is out of stock at the time of your visit, they’ll get it to you with free delivery and a $10 discount. How cool is that?!

9. Take advantage of the store’s 1-hour pickup.

Save time with BOPIS (By Online, Pickup In-Store)! Staples’ 1-hour pickup is a great solution for families with a mini-van full of reluctant shoppers, or anyone else who’s pressed for time. Most stores are now offering curbside pickup too!

Do your shopping online, wait for a confirmation email, and head to the store with the email and your ID. That was easy!  😉

Check out our 20 All-Time Best Frugal Tips for Back to School Shopping!