How About Staples Cutting Prices in Its Solo Markets?

The chairman of Staples [Thomas G. Stemberg] must really think us customers are stupid when he says that “this is a sad day for small businesses and consumers, who would have reaped the greatest benefit of all [from the merger] in the form of lower prices” (“Staples Likely to End Deal for Office Depot,” July 2).

If not, the higher prices that Staples charges in markets where there is no Office Depot or Office Max are a mistake. Here’s his chance to prove it: I challenge him to immediately lower prices in those markets to at most the levels that he charges where there is competition. If he doesn’t, he must think we’re stupid.

RICK ROSE

Torrance