Many start up business owners believe that they will save money by sourcing their office supplies online. While this may be true, there are many pitfalls to purchasing office products online including hidden shipping costs, delays in delivery time, and the risk of never seeing your product again. These issues aren’t worth taking a chance on when you could be spending your time working on growing your business. Instead, consider these benefits of using an office supply store instead of purchasing online.
- Saving Money
When looking at all the options available, it’s easy to see why so many people choose to purchase office supplies online rather than go out into the retail world. The internet has made shopping for office supplies much easier. You can compare prices, review customer reviews, and find coupons or deals from anywhere with just a few clicks of a mouse. Shopping online also means you won’t have to deal with paying sales tax, which can add as much as $20 onto every order if you live in one of the states where it is required. If you’re not sure how to get around sales tax, check out our article on how to avoid sales tax.
The biggest benefits of purchasing the desk supplies from the online store is that they help in saving the money, a person can apply the various coupon that will provide a high amount of the discount to the people . In the long run the option will be the best one.
- Easy Shipping Options
One of the huge advantages of buying office supplies online is that you don’t have to worry about having to pick them up yourself. Many stores offer free shipping options, meaning you’ll only pay once for your products and any additional items will automatically be added to your next shipment. If you want to know more about what is included in your shipping fees, read our article on how to calculate shipping costs.
- Free In-Store Pickup
Most online office supply stores allow you to request free in-store pickup. This option saves you from having to wait in line at the post office or drive back and forth to your local store. Once you’ve placed your order, the company will then contact you and let you know when your package will arrive. You can usually schedule a convenient day and time for your delivery.
- Great Customer Service
If you need some help with ordering or have questions about your purchase, you can always reach out to customer service representatives via phone call, email, or chat. Most companies offer 24/7 support, so no matter what time of day or night you need to speak to someone, you should be able to get through. Customer service reps will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding the items you’ve ordered and provide tips for future purchases.
- No Waiting
Unlike going to a brick and mortar shop where you’ll have to wait in line, picking up your order online is as simple as clicking a button. When you place your order, the company will send you an email confirming your purchase and letting you know when the item will ship. This process takes less than two minutes, so even if you forgot something in your order, you can still get it shipped without wasting any more time waiting at the post office.
- Products Available Anywhere
With most online offices supply stores, you can rest assured that your product will be delivered quickly and safely. For instance, if you forget your printer ink cartridges in transit, you can easily replace them without worrying whether or not you’ll be charged extra for the product. With most companies, you can buy your ink in bulk and save money while getting the same quality as you would if you purchased it individually.
- More Product Choice
With brick and mortar stores, you’re limited to the amount of products you can find within a certain radius of your area. Online shops, however, have access to thousands of different products, allowing you to find exactly what you’re looking for. Even if you don’t know how to use or operate a specific product, you can search for information on its features, brand, and model number and find helpful tutorials on YouTube.
- No Hidden Fees
When you buy from an office supply store, you can expect to pay exactly what the company says you do. However, many websites charge additional fees for shipping, handling charges, and taxes. Since you’re dealing with a smaller scale operation, these fees can add up quickly. By comparison, with an online office supply store, you won’t have to worry about these fees because everything is pre-negotiated.
- Quality Guarantee
No matter where you shop for office supplies online, you can trust that your product will be of high quality. When you buy directly from the manufacturer, you’ll get the same quality as you would if you went to your favorite office supply store.
- Accessibility
There’s nothing like being able to walk into a brick and mortar store whenever you feel like doing so. Unfortunately, if you work from home or are self-employed, you might not have the luxury of visiting your local office supply outlet. With a well-known name behind the website, you can rest easy knowing that your business won’t run into any problems down the road.
- No Hassle Returns Policy
Even if you end up not liking your purchase, you’ll be able to return it without incurring any fees. Many companies offer great returns policies, which allow you to send the item back for a full refund, exchange, credit, or store credit.
- Safe Transactions
Most online offices supply stores utilize 128-bit encryption technology to protect your personal information during checkout. Because there are strict laws in place requiring businesses to keep customers’ personal data private, it’s important that you know that you can fully trust the company you’re dealing with – especially when it comes to the security of your financial information.
- Price Matching
Some retailers offer price matching policies, which allows them to match competitors’ prices. While this is a nice perk, it doesn’t mean that you should stop shopping around. It’s still smart to look for the best deals possible so you can save even more money in the long run.
- Wide Variety
While you may be tempted to stick with the big names in your industry, it’s better to have a little variety on hand so you won’t run out of anything. After all, who likes to be stuck with just pens? With a wide variety of brands and styles, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
- No Worries About Your Privacy
When you go to a physical office supply store, you’ll likely have to give up your driver’s license number or other personal information before you leave the premises. But, with an online office supply store, you’ll never have to worry about giving out your personal details. Not only does this prevent identity thieves from stealing your personal information, but it also makes it harder for stalkers to track your movements.
If you’re interested in saving money and time by purchasing office supplies online, consider trying out these five places to find the best office supplies.
