| Add a little flavor to your office supplies procurement | | | | 3. High quality products needn't mean high prices. Use |
| by taking into consideration the following five important | | | | your suppliers buying power and economies of scale |
| suggestions. Each piece of advice is guaranteed to | | | | to benefit your business. If your stationery supplier is |
| either save you time, money or headaches and add a | | | | serious about you as a customer they will do |
| good slice of value for money. Stationery buying | | | | everything within their power to pass on any cost |
| revitalized! What could be more exciting and rewarding | | | | savings directly you. Look for companies that offer a |
| than knowing you have landed the best deals, the best | | | | form of price match guarantee. Choose a supplier |
| products and the best value? | | | | who not only insists on offering the lowest prices but |
| 1. You need to know that you are using the right | | | | also is prepared to back up their promises with a credit |
| supplier. Take expert advice. It's important that the | | | | on the difference should you find an identical product |
| products that you are buying are the right ones for | | | | cheaper elsewhere. Some companies are so |
| you, and that the advice and input you receive is | | | | confident that they are the most competitive that they |
| based on experience and professional knowledge. | | | | even have search engines on their websites that let |
| Instead of purchasing your stationery from a jack of all | | | | you scan the competition to compare prices. That's |
| trades or inexperienced 'new kid on the block' using | | | | the kind of service you should be looking for. |
| you as a testing ground, be sure to buy from a | | | | 4. You need to know that your stationery supplier is |
| dedicated and experienced stationery supplier. Use | | | | more than simply a supplier. You want your |
| someone with a history and a strong reputation within | | | | commitment to their products matched with a |
| the industry. Look for established suppliers with a wide | | | | commitment to support and a willingness to assist you |
| range of products who has already sold, and continues | | | | in all your stationery needs. Building a partnership of |
| to sell to companies just like yours. | | | | trust with your account manager has multiple benefits. |
| 2. Next insist on original branded products. Don't be | | | | An experienced account manager will contribute insight |
| misled into thinking you can save a few pence here | | | | and experience to your purchasing. Quickly establishing |
| and few pence there with non-branded products - in | | | | a profile and a knowledge of your stationery use, they |
| particular ink cartridge refills. If you need to guarantee | | | | can recommend advantageous price breaks and |
| the efficient working of your technology then you need | | | | special deals, new products, alternative products and |
| to feed them the best quality inks. Don't take risks with | | | | offer fresh stationery supply ideas. |
| your faxes, copiers and printer or your reputation by | | | | 5. Finally - you need to be confident that your supplier |
| purchasing non-branded products. The same principle | | | | can offer you favorable payment terms. Once having |
| applies across the board, right down to your paper | | | | identified a suitable supplier who you intend to use on |
| products or even your furniture. Your office supplies | | | | an ongoing basis then it's reasonable to expect |
| and stationery are a highly visible reflection of your | | | | sensible credit terms. Remember this is a business |
| company. Use a supplier that can provide you with the | | | | partnership and you deserve to be treated |
| very best in branded quality. | | | | professionally by your supplier. |