Office supplies aren’t cheap… or are they? Whether you’re starting a new business and need to build your inventory, or you simply need some supplies to restock your home or office, you probably want to get the best possible deals. Fortunately, there are plenty of trusted retailers and e-commerce platforms that offer inexpensive office supplies. Keep reading to find out where to buy cheap office supplies.
How to Choose the Best Cheap Office Supplies for Your Business
Are you looking for office essentials like sticky notes, pens and notebooks? Or maybe you’re looking for office storage solutions like filing cabinets and desk organizers or more substantial equipment like desks, chairs and printers. Either way, you’ll want to make sure you wisely choose your purchases to save money.
READ MORE: The Definitive Office Supplies Checklist for Small Businesses
Before you choose the best cheap office supplies for your small business, consider the following:
Office Space
How much space do you have in your office to accommodate different items like office furniture and equipment? It’s important to consider your office space when choosing office supply items like desks and tables.
You’ll also want to consider your available space when selecting organizational and storage solutions since you not only need enough space for storage items, but enough storage items to organize your other supplies. Finally, don’t forget to consider the overall style of your office when choosing decorative supplies.
Budget
How much is your office supply budget, and what is the price of the supplies you consider buying? Before you complete an office supply order, make sure you can afford the supplies, and check to ensure you are getting the best available deals. Rushing to purchase the first items that you find fits your needs is a great way to overspend and blow your budget.
If your office supply budget can’t quite cover everything you need to keep your business running, you might consider a different store or supplier, or you might decide to purchase supplies from a company other than the top brands. Buying your office supplies in bulk is another great way to save money.
Quality
Small business owners also can save money on office supplies by purchasing high-quality goods. After all, you might initially save money on cheaper supplies, but if the quality is too low, you’ll end up spending more when you have to start frequently replacing them.
Even supplies as simple as pens and pencils can end up costing extra if you purchase low-quality items since they are used every day and the costs can add up quickly if they frequently break or run out of ink. Quality can make an even greater difference when buying essential but expensive office supplies like printers, since replacing inferior products costs even more.
How to Find Office Supplies for Cheap Prices
If your plan for finding cheap office supplies for your small business involves little more than selecting a single site and ordering whatever you think you need, you’re probably going to be disappointed when you don’t save money. Instead, employ a strategy to find office supplies at cheap prices, including the following tips:
Diversify – Don’t plan to buy all your office supplies from the same store or website. Instead, find the best supplies at the best prices from a variety of retailers and wholesale stores, depending on who is offering the best deals.
Plan – If you just start browsing the selection of office supplies and adding whatever looks good to your shopping cart, you’re going to end up spending too much money on items you might not really need. Instead, evaluate your needs before you start shopping.
Research – To save money on office supplies, it’s essential to shop strategically. Compare the prices of various supply items from different sellers and choose the best prices that offer high quality. Additionally, be sure to consider shipping costs; discovering a slightly lower price at a retailer is not beneficial if you end up paying more for shipping your order. This is especially important when you’re wondering where to buy cheap office supplies.
Adapt – If you find that you can’t fulfill all your office supply needs within your budget, remain flexible and look for alternative solutions that cost less. For example, you might need to cut down on breakroom supplies or select a more affordable solution to store important paperwork.
Where to Get Cheap Office Supplies
1. Amazon – Perfect for Desk Accessories
It’s no secret that Amazon is one of the world’s leading online retailers, and customers can order practically anything from the e-commerce giant, including a plethora of cheap office essentials. Amazon even offers a deals section of its office supplies and electronics department. Plus, Amazon Prime members receive free 2-day shipping on most purchases.
2. FedEx Office – Best for Mailing Supplies
At FedEx Office, customers can find many more office supplies than merely the brand’s shipping and printing services. Small business owners can use FedEx’s convenient online and in-store tools to create, edit and order custom business cards, stamps, posters, brochures, canvas prints and many more supplies needed to keep an office running like a well-oiled machine. Other services provided by FedEx Office include copying, printing, document shredding, faxing, scanning and even computer rentals.
3. Office Depot Office Max
Office Depot Office Max is a well-known and reliable provider of budget-friendly office supplies. Although many business owners still prefer to visit their local retail store to purchase essential items such as file folders, pens, paper, and planners, they can now conveniently find everything they need on the Office Depot Office Max website. The site features a dedicated deals section and offers coupons for exclusive discounts, making it easier to discover where to buy cheap office supplies. Additionally, customers enjoy the benefit of free shipping on qualifying orders.
4. Staples
Not only does Staples provide excellent deals on office supplies at its retail locations, but its online shopping platform also includes a “Shop Deals” section that highlights daily discounts, coupons, and clearance items. Here, customers frequently save between 30% and 50% when purchasing popular office supplies such as calendars, tape, envelopes, sticky notes, and markers. Additionally, Staples is recognized for its extensive range of essential office items, including chairs, binders, and laptops. If you’re wondering where to buy cheap office supplies, Staples is a great option.
5. eBay
Small business owners can discover excellent deals on a wide range of office supplies by shopping on eBay. They can find various supply options, including calendars, desk accessories, binding materials, labels, paper products, bulk blank media, and writing instruments, offered by numerous independent sellers, including many well-known brands. Customers on eBay who are stocking up on office equipment and supplies can take advantage of free shipping on many items, along with a secure online shopping experience. This is a great resource for those wondering where to buy cheap office supplies.
6. Target
The well-known retailer is a fantastic destination for discovering great deals on office supplies and top-notch back-to-school items. Shoppers appreciate that Target collaborates with popular brands like Brit + Co to offer unique planners and calendars. Customers can visit their local Target store or shop online to find essential stationery and office supplies, including packing and mailing materials. While shopping, they can also pick out stylish outfits suitable for the workplace. Target provides options for same-day delivery, drive-up service, or order pickup, and customers benefit from free shipping as well. This makes it easy to find out where to buy cheap office supplies.
7. Office Furniture 2Go
Every organization needs the proper office furniture to create a functional workplace. Office Furniture 2Go is a popular site for affordable desks, tables, chairs, and creative storage solutions to outfit any office space. This merchant also sells everything needed to create a productive home office. Office Furniture 2Go even offers a lowest-price guarantee on its discount office furniture. Customers enjoy free shipping and a lifetime warranty on any office furniture bought from the site.
8. Best Buy
Customers long have considered Best Buy a trusted source for electronic office equipment like computers, printers, and ink. Many prefer to shop at a local Best Buy store so they can physically browse through the selection when choosing the perfect supplies, but others like shopping on the company’s website for features like the deal of the day and the Best Buy Outlet, where they can save even more money. Best Buy offers in-store pickup and curbside pickup from its stores, in addition to shipping. Plus, Best Buy rewards members earn points towards 5% off on future purchases.
9. OfficeSupply.com
Customers can discover incredibly low prices on office supplies at OfficeSupply.com. This online retailer provides a wide range of products, from paper to K-cups, perfect for small business owners looking to stock up on essential items. In addition to its already low prices, OfficeSupply.com offers additional discounts of $10 to $30 based on the total purchase amount. The site also showcases sale items, coupons, clearance deals, and even weekly specials. Furthermore, orders totaling $45 or more are eligible for free shipping. If you’re wondering where to buy cheap office supplies, this site is an excellent option.
10. Quill
It might not be one of the leading sources of office supplies, but Quill satisfies its customers with multiple ways to save and exemplary customer service. In addition to a coupon center and quantity discounts, the website features a rewards program and products from the Quill Family of Brands, which are priced less than national brands and backed by the company’s lifetime warranty. While shipping isn’t always free, Quill does run promotions offering free shipping with no minimum purchase.
11. Mead
Looking for binders and notebooks? Mead is one of the top brands and best websites to stock up on these as well as many other office supplies. Whether you’re shopping for calendars, dry-erase boards, the classic Trapper Keeper or the even more helpful Trapper Keeper planners, you’ll find options to match any personal style from Mead. Shoppers can even watch for special discounts like sales on holiday bundles of office supplies.
12. Gorilla Office Supplies
When it comes to price, many shoppers opt for Gorilla Office Supplies, which boasts unbeatable deals on a wide range of both brand-name and value-brand office products. Gorilla Office Supplies takes pride in its excellent customer service and hassle-free returns for online purchases. Their extensive product selection includes everything from essential office supplies like folders and paper to furniture, ink, and technology. Additionally, Gorilla Office Supplies provides fast and free shipping on orders over $50, making it a go-to option for those wondering where to buy cheap office supplies.
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This article, “Where to Buy Cheap Office Supplies” was first published on Small Business Trends