Running a small business requires you to look after many departments. One small but important area is purchasing office supplies. If not handled properly, you will end up with either excess supplies taking up valuable space, or defective items which will waste valuable time and need to be replaced.
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Money Saving Tips for Purchasing Office Supplies
Before you consider taking a business loan, look at your cost reduction options. Here are some tips to save time and money when purchasing office supplies.
Order only what you need in the immediate future
Unless you are getting a fantastic discount on large quantity orders, do not order more than you need. According to your consumption, plan weekly, monthly or quarterly orders. Keep track of slow consumed items and reduce the quantity when placing a fresh order and vice-versa.
Also, don’t order too much letterhead. If you make any changes, such as your telephone number or address, you will waste the remaining supplies.
Get door deliveries wherever possible
If your office supply orders are large, instead of going to suppliers, have them deliver brochures, price lists, or samples to your office. That way you can have a variety of choices without running around. You can also check out the internet – but before placing orders on the internet, check out the supplier’s reputation and replacement policy.
Finally, buying the cheapest might not mean getting the best. For critical items, go for reputable brands rather than cheaper or discount ones before purchasing office supplies.
Leasing equipment
If you are constantly relocating, you can try leasing furniture and equipment like computers, business telephone systems and copiers. That way, you don’t have to upgrade your equipment or remodel your furniture every time you change locations.
You can also try buying refurbished computers instead of brand-new units. Certified refurbished PCs purchased from reliable manufacturers are still fully functional, and they undergo rigorous quality-control measures and thorough cleaning before they’re resold.
Do not waste
One Japanese company saved thousands of dollars just by sticking the 2 unused ends of used pencils together, thereby creating an extra pencil. Some companies use shredded paper as padding material when shipping their products.
While the amount that you may save using these techniques might not seem like much, it still is money saved when purchasing office supplies. You can modify these ideas to suit your needs. And it’s great for the environment too!
