I purchased a digital copy of Sound Forge from Staples and attempted to install it with the product code I was given in an email. It didn't work and I don't know who to walk me through downloading this. Anyone else have this problem ?
It seems from what you write that you have been unable to even download the software? Is that correct? Exactly which version of Sound Forge did you buy? I ask, because you can download a free Trial version of Sound Forge Audio Studio 14 from this page and a free Trial version of Sound Forge Pro 14 from this page. (In both cases you will need to scroll to the bottom of the page to find the download links.)
Once you have installed the correct Trial version the product code you have should enable you to fully activate it, I think.
OTOH, if you have a product key for an earlier version of the software you will need to contact Staples and ask them.