Mailmate M5 Shredder

by Staples

Product Details

• Item Weight: 14 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 16 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0013CWY8K
• Average Customer Review: 1.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 31, 2008

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Great, until it breaks., March 27, 2008

By 

JH (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mailmate M5 Shredder (Electronics)

I bought this shredder about 4 weeks ago, and it died a few days ago unexpectedly. I googled to see if anyone else had the same problem I did, and found literally hundreds of negative reviews. People say that it dies anywhere from a day to several weeks or months later. When I tried to return it to staples, I was informed of their 2-week return policy. So in summary, STAY AWAY.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Unfortunately, doesn't cut it....., July 30, 2009

By 

Cannon (Atlanta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mailmate M5 Shredder (Electronics)

Ok, let's start by saying that this will be a review of the actual product and not Staples, the store. We'll discuss things like Return Policy - later.

Staples MAILMATE Junk Mail Shredders come in a couple of different sizes. Unfortunately, they all seem to suffer from the same problem. With moderate to heavy use, they simply burn themselves out and no longer function.

How do I know this? Well, I went through 4 of them in 6 days.

I suspect that the MAILMATE is designed for someone who intends to shred junk mail, daily, but not more than an average household's daily delivery of useless and wasted paper. On the positive side, the small versions of the MAILMATE are amongst the sleekest and most compact on the market. This is likely attractive to those who would like to keep the shredder in a handy - mail reviewing - sort of place.

Is it loud? Why yes, Virginia, it is loud. Why? I suppose that has something to do with the motor that drives the blades that literally chew, sever, and otherwise maim your mail. When functioning, this little device can easily thrash credit cards, light staples, heavy duty paper, and plastic windowed item. It has trouble with check book stub tops, and I wouldn't recommend trying to shred checks that way. It's paper capacity is alright, but given the compact size (of the device and its motor) you won't be shredding any tomes all at once.

Staples representatives tell me that the shredder is not designed for 30+ minutes of constant shredding. I could have told them this as I easily burned out the first shredder within about 22 minutes of bringing it home. I was amazed at its power and abilities until it attempted to gnaw it's way through a 3 page bank statement and the envelope it came in only to moan gently and then die a very sad death that left half my bankstatement still wedged in its jaws. It took some time for me to pry the thing loose, but alas, lockjaw remained. Back to Staples.

The second unit lasted longer. I was able to complete a couple of hours worth of shredding, taking breaks every 5-8 minutes or so, giving the motor a rest. But, despite my coaxing and positive thoughts, the second shredder let out a gutteral winnie and then died a more painful sounding death. Back to Staples.

The third unit was used for that day's mail. Then the next day's mail. Then the third day's mail. There was no attempt on my part to work the machine into a frenzy. But, on day three, the shredder encountered a credit card offer it didn't like. Again, halfway through the shred, it just ground to a halt and refused to let go of the last bits of the fake card that arrived with the offer. The card was thinner than an actual credit card, and yet the MAILMATE locked up and died. I want to point out that so far, the MAILMATE hasn't attempted a chew and then run it's motor continuously to the point of "burning." There's no smell. No continuous motion. No high speed motor running. It just quits. It dies. It just goes kapoot. Back to Staples.

The fourth unit came with an eager smile and best wishes from the Staples folks who finally admitted I wasn't the first person who'd managed to wear out a MAILMATE. When I asked why they still sold the thing, I was told that for the most part, customers were pleased. I assured the staff I would only shred mail as it came, and the occasional extraneous item that needed a good shredding - paper of course.

The fourth unit burned out on about the fifth use. Maybe it wasn't "burned out." But again, it just quit. I have no idea why. This time, I worked through the machine, cleared everything that could be cleared. I talked to it. I promised it a treat if it would just function again. It ignored me, and I became sullen and withdrawn. Back to Staples.

I am now the proud owner of a different, less compact, more powerful shredder. I've had it for several months, and I've worked that think crazy. It's still at it. My faith in shredding has been restored. My faith in the MAILMATE is non-existent.

STAPLES:

I will not comment on the exact return policy, which I would assume should be the same throughout the U.S. because there is the chance it may vary in your area.

Here's the deal: Don't buy any motorized or electronic device without knowing the return policy. If it's two weeks, folks, it's two weeks. Now, I managed to use the return policy 4 times within that 2 weeks, and each and every time, I walked out with a different shredder. Why, you may ask, did I go through this 4 times? Easy - the first two were to make sure I didn't get a lemon. The third one was a different size. The 4th return was to get a different brand. All to benefit you, dear reader, so that you can avoid something that isn't up to snuff.

I reject the notion that Staples ia a bad store or is unfair with returns. Each individual has their own experience, and mine has always been positive. But I am also one to quiz a store manager and even get them to sign the receipt when it comes to returns. Store credit? Refund? Do I have to try the same thing over and over 3 times? Do you replace or does it go to the manufacturer?

Arm yourself with knowledge BEFORE you buy and then follow the rules. If it's two weeks, it's two weeks, not 16 days because yesterday was Sunday and you were busy making ice cream in the back yard with one of those balls you kick around.

BOTTOM LINE:

This shredder doesn't cut it. Try a different brand.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Do not buy!, November 3, 2008

By 

William S. Macdonald "Scott" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mailmate M5 Shredder (Electronics)

Just like the other reviews it stopped working after not shutting off. They expect you to ship back a shredder at your expense! I will never buy a Staples product again....