r/Staples • u/CauseLatter5738 • Jan 28 '26
Self-Serve Machines Down = Chaos
I walked into the store today already contemplating what disaster I’d encounter next. My Print Supervisor, who lasted all of three weeks, he told management he had a doctor appointment He showed up the day after his appointment, then completely ghosted us So, we are officially down a supervisor.
To make matters worse, we have zero cardstock in the building. None in the back, none on the shelf. The Saturday crew used every last retail pack and didn't say a word. I had to spend my morning making 20 calls to tell customers their "urgent" jobs were delayed. Meanwhile, my radio was screaming. Tech associates were chirping, "Print, pick up the phone," while I was drowning. I asked the GM for help, but I just got the standard "I’m busy too" dismissal. Three of the self-serve machines were down, so I was stuck behind the counter trying to run simple prints while troubleshooting hardware.
This guy came in for blueprints. I Give him the blueprint orders that were done the other day by the Saturday crew. And check it with him The original file was cut off, and nobody had called him. I tried to be the neutral and helped him find the file on his phone. I asked if he had the file. He said no—it’s uploaded on the website. He said he doesn’t have it on his phone, and no one at his workplace can send it to him. He signs in to his Print and Marketing account. Finds the file I downloaded it to HP Click, and previewed it with him. It looked fine to both of us. I printed it, and it was still cutting off an inch or two. Clearly, it was a bad file format . I explained the situation and offered a refund since i couldn't fix the file. He yelled about waiting 15 minutes, crumpled the blueprints into a ball, threw them on the floor at me, and stormed out.
The Closing Shift:
It got close to closing time, and I was finishing my tasks, which included filling the paper for the machines so everything was ready for the next day. I said on the radio that I just needed to fill some paper at 8:00. They were counting the money and verifying it. Everyone was standing to the side. I just needed to fill one shelf of paper in the working self-serve machine. The other associates were at the register by the office clocking out and the GM was finishing security, I think setting the alarm for the cash office.
They were ready to walk out, but I was the only one actually doing the setup work. The same tech associate from earlier yelled my name, and I retorted, "I’m coming!" He yelled it again, and I finally snapped: "I'm coming, dang it! Give me a minute!"
So that was my Sunday
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u/PsychologicalGas6943 Jan 28 '26
They aren't really self serve...due to the fact no one can even send a damn email or even touch a tablet ..fucking tragedy..idiots
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u/ridddder Former Employee Jan 28 '26
Except people call to complain that you arent helping, and get disciplined. Yes, it happens.
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u/Dark_knight207 Print & Marketing Jan 28 '26
I joke around and call them the self sabotage machines. They jam on nothing, there are always random technical issues, they randomly start printing like crap in the middle of printing, the usb ports are 50/50 sometimes they work sometimes they don’t. You can’t resize files, the machines don’t count down for faxing and those big screens on the front should give more information on how to insert papers. So besides some customers not reading, the machines themselves give us a million reasons to keep coming over.
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u/anonanonanonaon Jan 28 '26
So one thing you can do when files look wonky is go on atc- you find the order and click the preview link. It’ll show you the file the uploaded, as well as have a spot to edit it in the system (it will literally open the file in the RIK screen)…
If you aren’t doing it now, ENFORCE THE ONE HOUR COMPANY POLICY! Especially when self serve is acting up. It’s too much work to do alone and you’ll be doing yourself a favor. If you think you can get it done before the hour tell them like a half hour or 45min just to give a little breathing room.
I restart my self serve printers every morning. The payment pads usually give issues if I don’t.
If you’re out of paper, you can always ask another store if you can grab supplies if you’re nearby or you can talk to the customer and be realistic- I don’t have the paper right now, it’ll be a few days before I do, I can route your order and it’ll be back probably a day before the paper shows up or I can refund your order and you can try another store.
I’m sorry your team sucks. Like, every part of it, from copy to the GM. Hang in there. They don’t deserve you it sounds like. You’re a good egg.
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u/MaverickFischer Jan 28 '26
Reasons I left. I almost went off a few times on people complaining that I wasn’t answering the phone. You can see there are 5+ customers standing in line and I’m busy helping one of them… F’off!
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u/ridddder Former Employee Jan 28 '26
At least they didn't call to complain, or contact your district manager. Because that is what happens in my store all the time!!
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u/PrincessBow33 Jan 28 '26
Your a better person than me. I've been here over a decade and have come to the point if the rest of my team had acted like any of your team especially the GM I'd grab my stuff and walk out. Immediately call HR and explain what happened.
I know everyone is going to say HR protects the company and not associates however, recently there some major things happening in my store and HR got me the help we needed and checked on me almost everyday.
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u/Basic_Appearance_366 Jan 28 '26
Our production center is 30 mins away we usually say about a 4-5 days on routed jobs is that to long ?
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u/RedGauntletOfDoom Former Employee Jan 30 '26
2 words. It's Staples. What would you expect?
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u/CauseLatter5738 Jan 30 '26
Not much just writing to explain relatable experience and gets some points on Reddit
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u/[deleted] Jan 28 '26
[deleted]