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It's the little things that make an office tick. Consider office supplies. These are a virtual necessity for an office's daily operations. Indeed, no matter what size the office, every employee requires his share of supplies. And although the cost of individual office supplies may seem meager in contrast to the cost of purchasing and operating high-tech office equipment, the continuous replenishment of supplies throughout the year takes its toll.
For offices of 25 employees or fewer, the task of finding economical supplies can be tricky. Often, small businesses have neither the storage space nor the need for large quantities of supplies, so they're unable to take advantage of volume discounts. In addition, small businesses often buy supplies from small local retailers who, for the same lack of volume clout, can't compete on price with national chains. However, many businesses have found that the personal service provided by small suppliers is worth the premium price they pay.
Not every business places a premium on service. Many are looking for ways to reduce their operating costs by trimming their supplies budget. With a little creative shopping, small companies can find bargains. Mail-order catalogs, office-supply superstores, warehouse clubs and discount retail chains give purchasers a variety of options.
Although one-stop shopping is the ideal in terms of efficiency, it's worthwhile to find several sources that have the best prices. The prices identified below and in the accompanying chart were gathered in Richmond, Va., which has a moderate cost of living. (Chart omitted) Prices may vary in other regions of the country, but the concepts outlined here should apply nationwide.
The basic office supplies detailed here are categorized in two ways: consumables and one-time purchases. Consumables such as pencils, paper clips and file folders must be replenished periodically. One-time purchases include desk accessories such as calculators, wastebaskets or stacking trays. Although these items may eventually need to be replaced, they typically don't appear on routine shopping lists because they have a relatively long life.
The prime directive when you're purchasing office supplies is to buy in bulk whenever it's practical. Office-supply superstores and warehouse clubs offer the best deals. However the major consideration in any bulk purchase is the item's shelf life. For example, buying 10 boxes...