First things first, office supplies are the most basic tools that almost all businesses and offices rely on one to get the jobs done almost all the time, with ease and complete perfection. Whether it is the pen, paper, markers, hi-lighters, stationary, workwear, technology gadgets, etc., all of these have the perfect role to play when it comes to setting and running a great office.
Needless to say, all of these office supplies are a surprisingly large part of every firm’s expenses, regardless of the company size. Industry researcher OPI found that those with four or fewer employees spend an average of $1,844 per employee annually on office products. All of this is because rarely are small businesses able to get the same discounts that larger ones do. The same research also states that mid-size firms spend about $1,069 per employee and offices with more than 200 employees tend to spend the least at $639 per employee.
That said, considering the office supplies have such a huge role to play in running an office and form such an incredible part of the office budget, it is more than important to choose the right vendor for your firm, or basically, an office supply store near you who can do each of the following for you:
- Helps you save some money on all the office and other related supply
- Always has a range of office supplies that employees need on a regular basis
- Have products that are an exact match to the needs
No matter how easy it may all seem what you seriously need is someone to rely on so you never really have to worry before making that huge investment in office supplies that are all so important for your workplace. Before committing to a vendor it is important that you compare a lot of them and understand the points that you need to follow in order to make the right decision.
- Immense Amount of Research: Every time you basically search ‘office supply stores near me you will be given a thousand options of both online and offline stores but picking one can be quite a task if you lack the information and knowledge to do so. In order to select the vendor the first of the many things that you seriously need to do is carry out an immense amount of research – explore the internet as much as possible, check for the options you have, understand what makes the seller a unique one and then jot down the points why you think it will be a great idea to choose him. In your research about the seller, you should also include the points about their experience in the field and what has made it possible for them to survive the market that is constantly changing every now and then.
- Stock and Product Selection is the Key: Next thing that is lined up as a very important thing to do when it comes to choosing a seller for office supplies is the stock that they own. While a lot of them will have a range of these supplies and accessories, some may only have a few and at that moment it is important for you to decide if you’d like to buy all from a one-stop-shop or choose different stores for different products (which obviously isn’t something I would recommend considering all the hassle it involves). Additionally, when it comes to making the right choice about the vendor it is also important to understand if they will be able to make a bulk order from your end just like most businesses do these days to cut down on the otherwise extra expenses of buying accessories across many stores both online and offline.
- Compare Prices, All the Time: Now here’s a quick check – even if you buy online office stationary the prices may vary from one store to another, and this is something you should know when placing an order. Since there are hundreds of such online spaces available for you to place an order for office stationary is important that you compare them all on the basis of their prices – this is obviously a very important point to consider because you surely do not want to spend over the top on the products that you may have otherwise gotten at a comparatively lower price. However, here is an added point to take note of – make sure you never compromise on the quality of the supplies or accessories that you’re picking only because you’re getting them at a much cheaper price; similarly remember expensive doesn’t always mean best too. Therefore, make sure while you do compare the prices all the time before committing to a vendor for office supplies, yet make sure you check for the quality of the products too in order to make a rather informed decision.
- Understand the Order Process: The process to order the products is usually the same but it is still imperative that you understand the process well and know if you are actually willing to go ahead with them for the entire purchase process. Whether you’re placing an order online or through telephone, it is essential to know the complete details and have the knowledge about the order process and can do it well.
- Delivery Details and Instructions: Next thing that determines the seller is how they provide the delivery of the products and supplies ordered by you. There isn’t obviously anything unusual here when it comes to delivering the products to you but what you do need to know is this – make sure you understand how soon they can have the order delivered to you. Understand the timeline of the process with them and see if they ensure the timely and safe delivery of the products that have been ordered.
- Returns and Exchanges: The last thing that determines if the vendor is a great choice for you is through whatever information they give out about their return and exchange process – make sure you choose someone who ensures the best products are delivered to you at all times and any wrong product is returned and exchanged without any major hassle.
Have you now been able to make the right decision when it comes to picking the right office supply store near you now?
