Office supplies comprise of a ton of items that are used on a daily basis and their costs can add up quickly, if left unchecked. How do you keep your costs low so you don’t exceed your budget? Yes, these supplies are essential and you cannot just stop using them. So, what do you do? Luckily, there are a few savvy shopping tips that can help businesses in reducing their spending on office supplies. Keeping expenses low can always benefit the bottom line. What are these tips? Read on to know what they are:
- Keep track of inventory regularly
One of the most inefficient ways of restocking your office supplies is ordering them without first checking your existing inventory. Before you step out of the door, you have to have a game plan, which involves mapping out what you require for the next month. If you don’t want to get office supplies every month, you can plan on making purchases quarterly or even semi-annually.
- Shop around online before you purchase
Thanks to online shopping, it is easier than ever for businesses to compare prices on dozens of things in just a couple of clicks. If you don’t already have an established supplier for your office supplies, it is time to look around and obtain some quotes from a range of potential suppliers before you lock yourself in with a specific contract.
- Keep an eye out for specials
If you are looking for just a one-off item, you need to double check and see if any of the suppliers out there are running any sales or specials. If you already have an established relationship with a supplier, you need to see if they offer any discounts to their regular customers or if they purchase supplies in bulk.
- Always go for bulk
There are incentives given for bulk purchasing anything and stocking up on business consumables that you use frequently is a very smart way to cut down the costs. Make a list of the consumables that you buy regularly and ask your supplier if they are offering options for bulk purchase. If they don’t already have a bulk pack, they may create one for you.
- Get generic brands
A simple way to save money is to go for generic brands when it comes to purchasing office supplies because in most cases the difference is almost negligible. Opting for generic brands is particularly a good move when you are shopping for pricier items, such as printer cartridge consumables or furniture.
- Consider the shipping costs
Shipping costs tend to vary for every supplier. Some companies are known to offer free shipping when you place an order for a certain amount and others decide shipping charges based on the weight of the product. It is always a good idea to check the shipping terms and conditions of a supplier before you sign a contract. It is possible that you may be charged extra, which could actually increase your costs.
