Office supplies have always been in demand and over the last few years, the demand has only multiplied. If you are about to set up a new office or if you are expanding your business, you will definitely need plenty of stationary supplies. When it comes to buying office supplies, you have two options: a physical office supplies stores or online shopping. If you are shopping to supply your office, the list of your stationery products will probably be very long, especially if you are opening a new office. With so many things on your list to buy, it would be in your best interest to see if your supplier can give you a discount or to see what type of deal you can work out. Below are tips on how to get the best deals for your office supplies.
Set a budget
When it comes to shopping, whether it’s online or in a store, you should always plan what your budget is and stay under it. By doing this, you will stay focused only on the items you need and not on unnecessary items. It is very common that people go shopping without a budget set and end up buying items that are unnecessary or buy more than what they need. Why shop for printer paper when you don’t even have a printer or buy something that you already have and don’t need? It’s as simple as that. You should buy the things that you need first. People often go to the store for one thing and end up leaving the store with 4 or 5 items except for the item they originally went for. Not only a waste of money but also it causes other problems; now you won’t have enough money to purchase what your really need.
Buy in Bulk
Once you have set your budget, make a list of the items and the quantities that you need. For stationery supplies such as pens, paper, notepads, files, folders, etc., it is recommended to buy in bulk. Buying products in bulk gives you more room to negotiate with your supplier a better price or a discount. Make sure you have enough space in your office to store these supplies. Something to keep in mind when buying in bulk is to not buy items that get damaged or go bad after a certain amount of time. Some supplies have a shelf life. This means that they can sit on your shelves only for a specified amount of time before they become useless. Be sure to check the shelf life of the items you purchase so you can decide which items you can purchase in bulk and which items you shouldn’t.
Special Offers
Online shopping gives you the opportunity to check for any ongoing offers such as “buy two get one free” or “yearend sale” or other offers they have through the holiday seasons. If there are any offers at the time of your purchase, take advantage of them; these offers can make a big difference in the amount of money you spend. Some companies also have other offers where you can exchange your old product such as an old printer, and get a credit or a discount when you buy a newer printer model. Make sure you check online to see which stores have special offers and when those offers expire.
Other benefits
If a supplier is not offering you a good discount even though you are buying in bulk, you can ask for free accessories with larger items like desks, printers or chairs. The supplier will probably give you the complementary accessories or give you a discount on the accessories. Buying in bulk benefits both the buyer and the supplier because the dealer saves on transportation and packaging, and this allows the supplier to reduce the prices in which they sell the products.
USA Office Supplies has all the office supplies and equipment that your office needs at affordable prices.
By: Daron Walton