I purchased an Optoma EP-719 projector from Staples for $999.99 and bought their extended warranty for $79.99. Staples web site showed the manufacturer's warranty was two years. The extended warranty was for two years beginning after the two-year mfg. Warranty expired.
It's been three years and one month since the date of purchase and the projector stopped working. When I called to claim on my warranty, I was told it had expired last month. Even though I have the original documentation showing the mfg. Warranty was two years, they argue that the original warranty was for only one year. Upon researching, I found that the original warranty, according to Optoma's website, was, indeed, only one year.
The sole reason I purchased this projector was because of the two-year mfg. Warranty that Staples advertised and I still have that advertisement and have produced it to Staples. The best the store will do is only offer me a refund for the warranty purchase price of $79.99.
My company has spent over $20,000 with Staples in the last three years, including purchasing 95 office chairs (with an extended warranty on each of them), office furniture, file cabinets, multiple office machines, office supplies, break room supplies, cleaning supplies, etc. I was told by the previous manager that our company was their largest volume customer for that store. But they don't care about all of that and they are willing to throw away years of loyalty and potential revenue. All of this over a $1,000 projector, which could be replaced with a $400 projector, in today's world.
Staples is always more expensive than most stores but I wanted to support our local work force by buying local since we don't have a locally-owned office supply store in our town. I will never buy another item from Staples, not even a pencil, and I would recommend anyone who is considering purchasing an electronic item of significant value, to shop somewhere else and save time and hassle. And whatever you do, don't buy the warranty from them. You will regret it.
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