How to Save Money On Office Supplies for Your Company

If you are an office manager or the person in charge of ordering supplies for your office, it is essential during these tough economic times to make every dollar count. Not only does it make you look good in the Boss's eyes, but in most companies saving money equates to more money for the employees. These tips may not all apply to you; it will depend on what your company typically stocks. The office I work in has a kitchen and we keep all paper goods, flavored coffee and creamers and other beverages in addition to the typical office supplies. That makes saving money even more important to keep from having to give up the things we are accustomed to having in-house.

The first step is to make a spreadsheet of all the items you typically purchase and the cost you pay for them. This will be your comparison sheet and will help you when you are searching for better values. It will also be your tool for showing upper management the savings you have instituted. Make sure you are breaking the prices into cost per quantity or serving, as you might not always find an exact equivalent.

Coffee: If your office uses a coffee service to supply the coffee and service the coffee makers there is probably a minimum amount you have to purchase from them. Check into this and find out what you have to order from them to keep the coffee maker service before making any changes.

Do a web search for wholesale coffee and creamers. One great website is www.discountcoffee.com. You can purchase regular coffees, flavored coffees, creamers and more. The price is, from my experience, significantly lower than what the coffee service was charging, especially on liquid creamers.

Paper Products: The office I oversee keeps the kitchen stocked with cups, plastic utensils, paper plates, napkins, paper towels, and Kleenex. These had been being ordered through the local office supply warehouse. A quick web search and I was able to cut the cost in half, even more on some products. Your local wholesale club is also a good source for discounted prices on many items as well; just make sure to compare them to the Internet prices.

Basic Office Supplies: Paper, pens, and other basic supplies are the staples of any office. You have to have them to function. Don't feel locked into using one of the larger supply companies without doing your homework. Some of the larger companies have a business side that caters to businesses and therefore offers more competitive pricing. I have even found one company willing to beat every price I paid on all my items. Research pays off.

When it comes to paper clips, pens, and paper name brands are generally more expensive and not always better products. Try some of the off brands to see if you notice or better yet see if anyone in the office notices. Odds are that they won't notice.

Finally, if your company keeps soda for clients and employees and you are paying for it to be delivered to your office, check your pricing. You may find that you are paying an enormous fee for the delivery. Watch your local grocery store flyers for specials on soda. You may have to ask a co-worker to help you unload them when you get them to the office but that is a small price to pay for a huge cost savings. Additionally, some grocers now offer online shopping and they will load them in your car for you.

With a little ingenuity and research you can get your office through this tough economic downturn and come out looking like the hero. Who knows you might even get a bonus.