Wrangling Back-to-School Supplies at Staples

Staples in the Potomac Festival shopping center closely resembles a zoo at this time of year when parents and their kids make a mad dash to get all the back-to-school supplies that they need.

Stress runs high in the store. One little girl swung from a wooden lollipop display happily demanding a treat as her mother payed for her school supplies. The lollipop request was denied. The denial resulted in a hoard of lollipops flying through the air in protest. All the treats landed on the floor in colorful, disheveled heaps as the girl verged on what promised to be a superb tantrum.

"The kids are excited; for parents it can be a grueling task," said Jeadi Johnson, general manager of the Staples store in Woodbridge.

The aisles are filled with customers stocking up on everything from pencils and pens, backpacks, stationary, software and hardware. But even with everything flying off of the shelves, there's little to worry about not finding the right items, at least where Staples is concerned.

"At Staples, we're well stocked," Johnson said. "99.9 percent of the time we will always have what you need so we rarely need to offer a substitute. And we carry hand sanitizer; that seems to be a new addition to the school supply lists lately."

Customers can also shop smart by taking advantage of one cent item rebate deals that Staples advertises periodically during the school supply buying season. By ringing up a tab of five dollars or more, the door opens to one cent rebate steals on everyday items such as printing paper and boxes of Bic pens.

"We're also helping out our customers by offering a money-back warranty program for the very first time. If you purchase a warranty and don't use the services, you'll get the full refund in the form of a Visa rebate," Johnson said.

The warranties cover hardware purchased through Staples, and range anywhere from $39.99 to $149.99 depending on the type of plan. Lollipops, however, are not covered.

"It's all relative at this time of year. It's a busy time, but it comes as quickly as it goes," Johnson said.

To get all of the things on your back to school supply list, visit the Staples store located at 14497 Potomac Mills Rd, (703) 491-0947.