Wholesale Office Supplies – When to Buy in Bulk

Bulk Office Supplies

In today’s competitive business environment, companies are constantly fighting to find a balance between keeping their overhead costs as low as possible while also maintaining a high level of efficiency. Your ability to successfully find that balance should include your approach to purchasing and managing office supplies.

Office supplies are the essential items every business needs to function. From paper and pens to staplers and folders, these products are the backbone of every office. Buying wholesale office supplies in bulk is an effective way to save money and ensure your team has the tools they need to perform their daily tasks. That said, buying bulk isn’t without downsides. Not all supplies are created equal, and it’s essential to understand which products it makes sense to buy in bulk and how buying supplies wholesale can save your company money.

Let’s take a closer look at how to leverage the power of buying bulk for your organization.

Products Better Off in Bulk

Which products should you be buying in bulk? Your answer really depends upon your business; what makes sense for you might not make sense for someone else. Hints that bulk buying might be the answer include the following:

  • You find yourself constantly reordering the item
  • Running out brings your organization to a halt
  • You have room for storage
  • The items have a long useful life

With those guidelines in mind, here are several categories of business products many companies commonly buy in bulk.

Paper Products

Paper products include items such as printer paper, envelopes, notepads, and sticky notes. Paper products remain the most commonly used office supplies, even for paperless offices, and they are usually consumed quickly. Purchasing these products in bulk ensures you never run out of paper and allows you to save money and avoid frequent reordering.

Writing Instruments

Pens, pencils, and markers are also essential office supplies that are generally consumed quickly and are easy to keep on hand.

Printer Cartridges/Copy Toner

Printers and copiers are a necessary part of every office, and printer and toner cartridges are fundamental to keeping them running. Purchasing printer cartridges in bulk can save a lot of money and ensure your printer is always fully stocked. Printer cartridges are expensive and have a limited useful life, though, so it’s important to know your consumption patterns before buying a boatload of cartridges that will expire before they’re used.

Cleaning Supplies

Keeping your office clean and tidy is essential for maintaining a productive, healthy, happy work environment. Everyone, from employees to clients, feels better in a clean office. Cleaning supplies such as paper towels, disinfectant wipes, and trash bags can easily be bought in bulk to save money and ensure that you always have a clean office.

Kitchen Supplies

Keeping your break room stocked keeps your team happy; the day you run out of coffee or creamer will be a dark day for everyone. Avoid the unspeakable by keeping plenty of supplies on hand.

Your Essentials

Know your essentials. What items does your office require to keep it running? Do you need PPE, promotional items, or post-it notes? Take a close look at your consumption and purchase patterns to identify additional supplies to buy in bulk. If you’re not sure, your Indoff partner can help assess your needs and identify places where bulk ordering is the way to go.

How Buying Supplies Wholesale Saves Your Company Money

When it comes to purchasing office supplies, buying in bulk is by far the most cost-effective option. Here are just a few of the ways buying bulk supplies wholesale will save your company money:

  • Lower unit costs: Buying office supplies in bulk usually means you get a lower unit cost per item. This is because wholesalers offer discounts for large-volume purchases; the more you buy, the more money you save per item.
  • Reduced shipping costs: Buying in bulk can also save on shipping costs. Every order you place incurs shipping costs; fewer orders, even if they’re bigger orders, translates to lower overall shipping costs.
  • Greater efficiency: Buying office supplies in bulk saves time and effort. Instead of ordering supplies multiple times, you purchase all the items you need in one go, meaning you’ve spent less time placing, tracking, and receiving orders.
  • Bulk discounts and promotions: Many wholesalers offer significant price discounts and promotions to their customers as an incentive to buy in bulk. As it turns out, selling in bulk saves your suppliers money, too, so much so that they’re willing to pass along some of the savings to you.

Tips for Buying Office Supplies in Bulk

Here are some essential tips to ensure that you get the most value for your money when buying in bulk and how Indoff can help.

Make a Plan

Make sure that you have a clear understanding of your office supply needs. Make a list of the items you need, and estimate the quantity that you will use within a specific period. This will help you avoid overstocking or understocking. Your Indoff partner has tools to help you analyze and assess your needs.

Look for Deals

Take advantage of promotions, deals, and bulk discounts offered by wholesalers. There’s no need to spend hours comparison shopping; your Indoff account manager is always on the lookout for savings and efficiencies to pass along.

Choose the Right Supplier

Again, Indoff is the answer. From the kitchen to the cleaning closet and the copy room to the C Suite, Indoff is the only business products distributor you need. With Indoff by your side, you have online access to a comprehensive selection of office supplies, a pricing plan tailored to your specific needs, delivery options that conform to your schedule, and an account manager that’s always watching out for you. If you need it, we can help you get it. One stop at Indoff, and you’re done.

It’s Time

It’s time to start saving money on the supplies you need to run your office. Find a local Indoff representative today.

Courtney Brazell

Courtney joined Indoff in 2010. She brings years of experience in project management and tech solutions and is responsible for supporting our Partners’ sales efforts.

Phone: (314) 997-1122 ext. 1291
courtney.brazell@indoff.com

Josh Long

Josh joined Indoff in 2013 as part of the acquisition of Allied Appliance, a nationwide appliance distributor. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of our appliance division that is comprised of Allied Appliance and Absocold, a manufacturer of refrigerators and microwaves that Indoff acquired in 2017.

Phone: (314) 997-1122 ext. 1107
josh.long@indoff.com

Jim Malkus

Jim joined Indoff in 1988 after spending 5 years at Ernst & Young, where he specialized in audit and accounting for privately-held businesses. Jim is responsible for the day-to-day management of Indoff.

Phone: (314) 997-1122 ext. 1203
jim.malkus@indoff.com

John Ross

John’s background includes the start up and acquisition of several successful business ventures, and he provides strategic planning and overall corporate governance.

Phone: (314) 997-1122 ext. 1201
john.ross@indoff.com