Get More From Your Office Supplies
by Diana L. Martin
Today I’m issuing you a challenge - get more from your office supplies.
More what? Office supplies are office supplies, right?
Wrong.
What can you get from them? Value, convenience, time, and money, just to name a few. Let’s consider those…..
Value - Value goes hand in hand with money. Buying in bulk gives you a better value and saves you money. Instead of buying a 15 roll pack of bath tissue for $26.46 ($1.784 per roll), buy a carton of 96 rolls for $46.45 ($0.483 per roll). Instead of trying to buy 2 or 3 little boxes of paperclips for $0.50 each, buy a 10-pack for $1.59. Put the extras in your supply closet for later. - you know you’ll use them. The per piece price goes down as the quantity goes up.
Money - I know that lots of you spend your time (or send one of your employees) to go the local office supply store or warehouse club (Costco, Sam’s, BJ’s) to buy supplies because “it’s cheaper.” I know this because I talk with you on the phone and you tell me. The reality is that it isn’t cheaper. Remember to include your soft costs in your price. Somebody has to take the time to go there, for which the company pays them. Somebody also has to cut a separate purchase order for every store you go to or process an expense report. Somebody has to check in the merchandise from each store when it arrives and somebody has to put it away - each time. All that costs money - money that could be spent paying them to do more productive tasks.
You can save money by buying from one supplier, having it delivered and only having to cut one purchase order, check in one delivery and put it away once. Additionally, the more you buy from that supplier, the better pricing and negotiating power you will have.
Another money-saving tip is to buy generic. Generic equivalents to brand names typically are much less expensive and just as good quality.
OEX can help you create a strategy to buy the right products, in the right quantities for the right prices.
Time and Convenience - See Money. Having your orders delivered saves you lots of time and is so much more convenient!
Ordering online is another time saver. If you have a business account with OEX, you can have a login to our site, where you can create favorites lists for your most frequently ordered items. Favorites lists make it super easy to find the items you always order and you can add them to your cart right from the list - no more searching the website! Our site also allows you to create recurring orders, which are huge time savers. Enter an order for copy paper, for instance, schedule it to be delivered every two weeks (or whenever you need it) and forget it. Our driver will automatically show up on your schedule with your order and you don’t have to remember to call or go online every two weeks to order it!
With OEX, you also have personal service - we offer amazing Customer Care with real, U.S. based customer service representatives who get to know you and your needs. Depending on your volume with us, you may also have a dedicated account manager who will work with you. We offer competitive pricing, a price match policy, a free electronics recycling program in our local delivery area and a generous 30-day return policy.
We are truly your one-stop shop. Not only do we sell office supplies, we sell furniture, offer furniture design, space planning, assembly and installation, custom printing, graphic design and promotional products and more.
We can help you get the most out of your office supplies. Will you accept my challenge?
If you’re an existing customer, contact your account manager or call Customer Care to request a consultation and let us show you how we can help. If you’re new and looking to switch suppliers, call us at 877-795-2600 or email us at info@oexusa.com to get started.
