Spyware:Staples & Xerox Offer, "Never Out Of Toner" Scheme

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Date: Tuesday July 24, 2012 08:51:12 am
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    Spyware:Staples & Xerox Offer, "Never Out Of Toner" Scheme
    Staples Teams with Xerox to Offer Toner Savings Plan, But Who Benefits?

    For the past few months, Xerox and Staples have quietly developed a program called the ‘Never Out Toner Savings Plan.’  In a nutshell, this program works by allowing customers to pay up-front for their expected monthly print volume.  A customer’s printer is connected to a monitoring system that recognizes when toner is low and automatically schedules delivery to the customer’s home or business.  This program is primarily run through Staples.com, but recently began piloting at select Staples brick and mortar locations as well.

    This is not a managed print service, per se.  There is no service included or any sort of printer fleet management.  However, the ‘Never Out’ plan is similar to MPS in that is targets two big customer pain points: cost and convenience.

    Cost –  Since a customer is purchasing a number of prints (or ‘credits’) rather than purchasing actual toner, they can print full pages of text and pictures without worrying that they’re wasting toner.  And, because a customer has already paid for all their print expenses up-front (excluding paper and power), it makes it easier to predict a business’ print costs.

        Xerox claims that customers can expect ‘savings of up to 40%’; however, this savings is based on a customer purchasing a standard capacity toner vs. toner received through the ‘Never Out’ program.  In reality, if a customer purchases a high capacity toner and compares their cost against a customer with modest page coverage using ‘Never Out’ the savings will be negligible.  That said, there is still value in the convenience of automatic toner replenishment, not to mention the value for customers with higher-than-normal page coverage.

    Convenience – First, a customer pays for the service, sets up their new Xerox printer, and installs the desktop monitoring software.  Once up and running, Xerox can monitor a printer’s toner levels and automatically replenish it without customer intervention.  This means no figuring out toner part numbers, no last minute runs to the office store, and easy monitoring of print volume through Xerox’s desktop software.

    Xerox’s MPS continuum already spans most size businesses with its programs such as eConcierge, PagePack, and XPPS.  Although eConcierge already targets SOHO and microbusiness customers, Xerox’s ‘Never Out’ program is a unique way to expand some basic MPS components to the SOHO and microbusiness companies that do business with office supply chains.

    Obviously, Xerox’s primary motive for introducing ‘Never Out’ is to sell more hardware and OEM consumables.  A secondary but still very important motive is to grow Xerox’s install base of clients with a Xerox monitoring agent on their network.  ‘Never Out’ allows Xerox to monitor and manage a customer’s printers and to build a relationship with that customer as they (hopefully) grow.  While some customers will stay small, Xerox certainly hopes that a few ‘Never Out’ customers will increase print volume and eventually require more advanced and more profitable services from the vendor.

    http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/xerox_assortment/index.html
    Never Out Toner Savings Plan Powered by Xerox®

    Terms and Conditions of Use
    These are the Terms and Conditions of Use (“Terms”) for participants of Staples’ Never Out Toner Savings Plan Powered by Xerox® (the “Plan”). Please read these Terms carefully. By purchasing and participating in the Plan, you (“Participant” or “you” as appropriate) are indicating your acceptance of these Terms.

        1. Plan Eligibility. You must be 18 years of age or older and must purchase a select model Xerox printer and sign up for the Plan in the same transaction to participate. Previous Xerox printer purchases are not eligible. You must also be enrolled in the Staples Rewards® Program. Membership in Staples Rewards is free and instant; customers can sign up in store or at staples.com®. Staples must receive an accurate, legible and complete application in order for you to enroll in the Staples Rewards Program.
       
    2. How to Access the Plan. You must download the Plan software (“Software”) provided to you by email after purchase of the Plan, agree to the Software License Agreement (including any updated license agreements when installing updates or a newer version of the Software), and install the Software on a network-connected PC or Mac. The Software collects and reports data on selected print devices located on your network. After the Software is installed, you will have access to a Web portal that allows you to manage your Plan, confirm supplies shipment, see device status and IP addresses, and retrieve other information about your print devices that are connected to your network(s). You will be notified of updates and new versions of the Software via the Web portal. Failure to download and install updates or new versions of the Software may impact the Software’s device monitoring capabilities.
       
    3. Customer Service.
        For any issues with regards to the Plan, Participants may call the following toll-free number: 1-888-748-4004. Customer Service shall be available to assist you Monday–Friday between the hours of 6:30AM and 4:30PM PST. For printer issues, the method of repair service is determined by your end user product warranty.
       
    4. Contact Information.
        You must keep your contact information and device location information current at all times (contact person, mailing address, valid email address, phone number and fax number) in order to participate in the Plan. All purchases made through the Plan are made directly from Staples, and not Xerox. If you have any questions or concerns about an order placed through the Plan, you may contact Customer Service.
       
    5. Sharing of Information.
        Participant understands that Staples is concerned about privacy matters for its customers. By enrolling in Plan, customer understands that the number of pages printed, amount of toner used and contact information will be monitored by Staples and Xerox Corporation in order to ensure proper Plan operation. Additionally, credit card information may be shared securely by Staples with a third-party service provider in order to process transactions. To learn more about how we protect customer information, please review our Privacy Statement, located on staples. com. Staples will follow its Privacy Policy, as the same may change from time to time. To manage your preferences, go to staples.com/privacy.

        6. Page Credits.
        A “Page Credit” is defined as anything that is printed on 1 page of paper by a select Xerox printer using toner provided by the Plan. Duplexing (double-sided printing) counts as 2 Page Credits. A “Copy” is also considered a print.
     
      7. Savings Calculation.
        Savings shown in Plan materials is based on cost per page for Plan Participants as compared to Staples’ national per toner cartridge pricing.
      
     8. Plan Renewal.
        IMPORTANT NOTE: Customer’s Page Credits will automatically reload at the existing Plan level when Page Credits hit a pre-determined threshold. Customer will receive notification via email and desktop prompt notification reminding them that their credit cards will be charged along with an estimated date of charge. (Date to be charged will vary based on usage). Staples’ private label credit cards, gift cards or stored value cards may not be used for Plan renewals.

        9. Plan Cancellation. Participant may choose to cancel the Plan at any time by calling 1-888-748-4004 (option 3). If you cancel, you will not receive a pro-rata refund of any unused Page Credits. You will not receive any additional toner under the Plan but will be charged for any unused toner based upon the manufacturer’s estimated page yield for such toner product. Staples reserves the right to modify or change these Terms, revise or cancel this Plan at any time without prior notice and to terminate any Participant for failure to comply with these Terms or the Software License Agreement.
      
     10. Product Eligibility for Staples Rewards.
        In consideration of the benefits for Plan Participants, no Staples Rewards benefits will be credited to Participant’s account for toner shipped as part of the Plan or for the Plan itself.
      
     11. Toner Recycling.
        Toner cartridges are eligible to earn Ink Recycling Rewards when returned to Staples in accordance with the terms of such program. See StaplesRewards.com for full recycling details.
      
     12. Liability.
        Neither Xerox nor Staples is responsible for lost, interrupted or unavailable Web site network server or other connections, miscommunications, delays, failed telephone or computer or telephone transmissions or technical failure, jumbled, scrambled or misdirected transmissions, software malfunctions, or other error of any kind whether human, mechanical or electronic. Neither Xerox nor Staples makes any guarantees that Participant will be notified by the Software before printing supplies are needed or that an order for supplies placed through the Plan Software will be delivered before a print device runs out of supplies. NEITHER STAPLES NOR XEROX SHALL BE LIABLE TO PARTICIPANT FOR ANY DIRECT DAMAGES IN EXCESS OF $1,000 AND NEITHER STAPLES NOR XEROX SHALL BE LIABLE TO PARTICIPANT FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE PLAN, WHETHER THE CLAIM ALLEGES TORTIOUS CONDUCT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY EVEN IF OTHER PARTY HAS ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
       
    13. Authorized Representatives.
        Participant acknowledges that anyone using the Software will be deemed Participant’s authorized representatives with respect to purchasing services or products from Staples in connection with this Plan.
     
      14. Miscellaneous.
        This Plan is available to Staples customers in the U.S. only and only on purchases made in the U.S. These Terms are subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Sections 5, 11, 12 & 14 shall survive the termination of these Terms. These Terms along with the Software License Agreement set forth the entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede any other agreements, discussions, proposals, representations or warranties, whether written or oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

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