| Every business needs office supplies. Luckily for every | | | | goods back unless the error in ordering was |
| business there are many potential office suppliers to | | | | completely their (the customers) fault. Any damaged |
| choose from. A Google search for office supplies | | | | goods or re-shipments due to shortages should be |
| alone returns over 42 million results. So the question | | | | re-shipped at no cost to you. So always look at would |
| becomes "which one is the right one for me", and "I | | | | be supplier's policy pages or simply call them and ask a |
| how do I choose one"? Here are a few things to | | | | few questions. |
| consider when choosing an office supply partner. | | | | Calling an online vendor is another great test of fit with |
| Does the company sell on-line only or do they have a | | | | your business. If the number is toll free that means this |
| physical store located in my area, and why should that | | | | and all future communications will be of no charge to |
| matter? Here is why that matters. On-line only stores | | | | you. Did they pick up right away, or was there a |
| have fewer overhead costs and typically fewer | | | | lengthy hold period or confusing menu's to figure out. |
| salaries to pay. The next time you go into a big box | | | | This is important because these will be the types of |
| office supply store count the number of employees | | | | hurdles you will have to deal with every time you need |
| you see and note what they are all doing. Every | | | | to communicate with them. Not the type of relationship |
| employee that is not actively doing something is adding | | | | you would seek out for a partner. The true test of any |
| another 5¢ to that box of paper clips or $20 to | | | | on-line vendor is how quickly they respond to problems |
| that all-in-one office machine you need. This can add | | | | seeing as how you are not face to face with them, |
| up. On-line stores do not have this problem and can | | | | but rather a voice on the phone or text in an email. If |
| pass significant savings to you. Note that not all online | | | | you find an online vendor that is easy to reach and |
| only stores pass this savings along so it is important to | | | | handles returns fairly and efficiently that is a good start. |
| compare prices. My research shows that most on-line | | | | Specials, specials and more specials: Because price is |
| stores do compete very heavily on price. | | | | first and foremost in the minds of Businesses looking |
| One downside to the online only model can be the | | | | to stay under budget both on-line and off-line stores |
| handling of returns. With a brick and mortar store you | | | | can offer valuable money saving coupons and |
| just get in the car, stand in a return line and get your | | | | specials. If you find an on-line supplier with low prices |
| credit or replacement product (sometimes not that | | | | that also has an option to sign up for newsletters and |
| easy). When you pick an online store it is important to | | | | special offers you have found the best chance to |
| find out about their return policies. If the online vendor | | | | save money. If this company treats you fairly on |
| handles returns efficiently and fairly this should always | | | | returns and is easy to connect with then you should |
| be a vote in their favor. A fair return policy would | | | | strongly consider going on-line only with your office |
| never require a customer to spend money to ship | | | | supply purchases. |