(Serviced 06/23/26 TU @ 4:15pm): This depot was strictly for office business!…read more
It's been over a decade since I last visited Office Depot's La Crescenta location, but the timing was perfect because I was in the area for a separate reason. With all of the consolidation in the office supplies industry over the past couple of decades, I think the only ones left standing were Office Depot, Staples, and to a lesser extent FedEx, with companies such as Office Max and Kinko's having been absorbed from competitors. I've been making extended copies at my local Staples, but the costs have continuously gone up as they closed in on a dollar a page on heavy-weight paper which I really didn't need. So, I opted to try the competitor in hopes of saving some money. Was I able to deposit some money back into the bank after using this office store from my printing needs!?
PURCHASE(S)
8.5"x11" Double-Sided Color Printouts ($0.70 x130): I needed to print a recent summary inspection report for an investment property we acquired to give to our general contractor as a checklist of things to focus on and repair over time. Although the per-page rate was slightly cheaper than what I've experienced, it wasn't that much different to go somewhat out of my way. The printing quality was fine, the speed was a tad slow, but it got the job done.
SERVICE
At this time, there were only two employees, and I was the only customer. With no salutations from either of them, I easily headed towards the self-service copy center, checked out the machines, read whatever signage there was as to how the machines worked and payment, and then attempted to make copies. Nope; something went wrong! I tried several times on the same machine to no avail. I went to another copier and finally things were working properly. After about ten minutes, my print job was done, I paid at the machine, I asked a young male salesperson for a bag to put my copies in, and I casually walked out the door. For my needs, all of this was fine, but I sorely hoped this wasn't the norm.
PARKING
(FREE): They had their own private spacious lot - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A large boxy warehouse store filled wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling and multitudes of aisles stocked with a ton of various office supplies of anything you could imagine. There was plenty of space between the aisles, shelves, and floor displays, with a smattering of promotional ads/posters about. Minimal natural lighting came through the large front windows and doors while soul-sucking fluorescent electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There weren't any TVs while I couldn't recall any background music.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
La Crescenta's Office Depot served its purpose, but for future office service needs, I'll more than likely return to a Staples closer to me. I didn't find much differentiation between the two brands, I had a few Staples closer to me and where I normally was, and this particular location was simply dreadful in feeling like all life was sucked out of it. I walked around, and I saw nothing (even less!) that I couldn't get at Staples. The printing prices may've been slightly less, but it wasn't worth it. And, the service was mostly non-existent and hidden. I found good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $100.00 BEFORE any discounts, points usage, and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 3.0 STARS
