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Are you a VAR business owner wanting to streamline your office supply costs or consolidate distributors? Or are you just looking for ways to save time procuring office supplies and partnering with distribution in ways that don’t overwhelm you
We at VARStreet Inc. have years of experience in the office supplies VAR industry and have worked with over 5000 VARs.We know how confusing and time-consuming it can be to choose office supplies for wholesale distributors whose business value and goals align with yours. Which is why we’ve compiled a quick guide to help you understand what you should look for in a supplier
8 Questions to Ask a New Office Supplies Wholesale Distributor
1. How vast is their product catalog?
When you’re evaluating potential office supplies distributors to source products for your VAR business, product needs, the distributor must have a variety of products to offer. Some office supplies distributors specialize in one or two product categories like office furniture or ink and toner cartridges, but lack a wide product range.
While partnering with more than one distributor should be your ultimate goal, as prices for the same products do differ depending on the distribution channels, and you have a lot of play while sourcing your products.
But in the initial phase of your business, this may not be possible as many established distributors need assurance of sales volume before they partner with you. So if you are new to the VAR business, having one dependable distributor for as many office supply products as possible should be your goal.
Some products that should be included in the distributor catalog are:
You’ll also need to ensure that your chosen distributor has all the popular office supply brands that are in demand, as well as products from OEMs, to help you reduce costs without sacrificing quality.
2. What differentiates them from other distributors?
When you look for an office supply wholesale distributor, you may want to consider someone that offers supplementary services and benefits like:
3. What is their pricing structure?
Profits are made by sourcing right. This old adage may sound like a cliche, but it is true!
Ask your potential wholesale distributor the following questions:
4. How user-friendly is their online ordering system?
In today’s age, online ordering is the norm even for B2B businesses. Wholesalers, though, lack in providing their B2B buyers with user-friendly interfaces and online order processing features.
Ensure that your office supply distributor provides you with the ability to:
5. How is their onboarding process?
The paperwork required for partnering with a new office supplies distributor may be stressful and overwhelming. Established and reputable distributors want to vet you to ensure that you are a legitimate business. They may require state registration numbers, trade references, utility bills, banking references and flooring information, Federal Tax ID, etc.
Understand the onboarding process and enquire if they can provide you with a support system or a knowledgeable and helpful customer support team that can support you, every step of the way.
6. How does delivery work? Do they dropship orders?
Your office supplies wholesale distributor should make it easy for you to manage your customers’ delivery requirements.
If you serve country-wide or global locations, your distributor should be able to deliver within 2 days to all your locations.
People often forget about ordering office supplies and most standard office supplies orders are urgent. Your distributor must be able to offer next day deliveries on all products from the distributor catalog.
Also, ask if they can dropship orders directly to the customers without routing them through you.
Here’s everything you need to know about dropshipping.
7. How is their customer support?
Stellar customer support differentiates successful businesses from mediocre ones. While mistakes in payments, pricing, deliveries, etc., are bound to happen, how they are handled, is the hallmark of a genuine distributor.
Aim to find an office supplies wholesale distributor with a knowledgeable customer support team with years of industry experience.
After all, no one wants to waste time on the phone tracking lost or missing packages.
8. How reputable and established are they?
The best way to learn about a potential distributor is by Googling them to find online reviews and seeing what others have to say about them.
You can even reach out to local VAR businesses that work with them to get a clearer picture of how convenient or difficult it is to do business with them.
A simple Google search will give you a wealth of information about them, from their financial health to the number of years they’ve been in business.
We hope you have a fair idea on how to get started in your search for the best office supplies wholesale distributors.
As a bonus, here are the top 5 office supplies wholesale distributors and IT hardware distributors in the United States.
The Top 5 Office Supplies Distributors
1. Ingram Micro
Ingram Micro Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and the world’s largest technology distributor. Based in Irvine, California, U.S., they have operations around the world.
Their products include storage servers, notebooks, routers and gateways, video consoles and many many more. VARStreet integrates with Ingram Micro’s catalog and has over 1.6 million SKUs from Ingram in their product catalog.
2. Essendant
Essendant has set the best-in-class standards for computer hardware, supplies and accessories wholesaling.
Their product portfolio includes traditional office products, office furniture, janitorial and breakroom supplies, technology products, industrial supplies and automotive aftermarket tools and equipment.
VARStreet’s business management application for office supplies VARs enable them to sell products from the Essendant catalog effortlessly.
3. International Toner Corp
ITC is one of the largest domestic manufactures of compatible copier, fax and laser-based printing supplies with operations exclusively in the United States.
Their products are manufactured for use in Brother, Canon, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Konica, Minolta, Panasonic, Ricoh, Samsung, Toshiba and Xerox copiers, laser printers and MFC’s (fax), amongst many others.
Sell ITC products with VARstreet.
4. S.P. Richards Company
S.P. Richards Company is one of North America’s leading business products wholesalers and distributors of a broad range of office supplies, furniture and technology products, including but not limited to binders, file folders, sticky notes etc., and technology wholesale solutions from ink and toner supplies to the newest printer innovations. They also represent top technology brands like Hewlett-Packard, Sharp, Brother, Lexmark, Canon and many more.
Find out how you can leverage VARStreet to sell products from S.P. Richards.
5. Royal Imaging
Royal Imaging specializes in document imaging and document management. They
carry a full line of OEM, compatible and remanufactured supplies for all copiers, fax, laser, inkjet, duplicating, thermal and dot matrix ribbons.
All of their compatible products undergo extensive testing by their manufacturers to ensure their products strictly meet the OEM Specifications in yield, density and overall performance.
Click here for more information on VARStreet and Royal Imaging product catalog integration.
Conclusion
Choosing an office supply wholesale distributor is not just about finding a supplier with the cheapest paper or printer. You need to find a reliable and trustworthy distributor with technological advancements that make dealing with them convenient.
Once you have answers to all the eight questions above, you would have narrowed down your list of preferred distributors and be ready to choose an office supply distributor with whom you can have a long-lasting relationship.
Buying office furniture in bulk is a significant investment. This decision impacts not only your budget but also the productivity and well-being of your employees. To ensure you make the right choices, consider asking the following essential questions before making a wholesale office furniture purchase.
The first and most important consideration is your budget. It sets the framework for what types of furniture you can afford. Always aim for the best quality within your budget to ensure durability and longevity.
Accurately assessing the dimensions of your office is a foundational step in making a wholesale furniture purchase. This goes beyond merely ensuring that the furniture fits within your office space. Proper space planning takes into account a host of factors, including workflow, employee comfort, and the efficient use of space.
Layout considerations are equally critical. Are you planning on open spaces to foster collaboration, or are individual cubicles more aligned with your workflow? How you answer these questions will influence the kinds of furniture you choose and how they're arranged. For example, open spaces might benefit from bench-style desks and communal areas, while a more segmented setup might require individual workstations with more storage options.
Now, if all of this seems daunting, you're not alone, and that's where specialized services offered by some furniture sellers can be invaluable. Many vendors provide office planning services, often utilizing advanced software to model potential layouts. They can guide you through all these considerations, helping you visualize how the furniture will fit and function in your space. These experts can integrate your floor plan, requirements, and constraints to create an optimized, functional layout.
Taking a comprehensive approach to understanding the dimensions of your office ensures that you don't just fill your space but make the most effective use of it. This upfront effort will help ensure that your investment is not only aesthetically pleasing but also contributes to an efficient and productive work environment.
Prioritizing ergonomics when selecting office furniture is not merely a trend but a necessity for fostering a healthy work environment. Ergonomic furniture is designed to support the user's body in the most natural way possible, minimizing the risk of strain or injury over extended periods of use. This is crucial for the modern office, where employees often spend long hours at their desks.
When looking at ergonomic features, one of the first things to consider is adjustability. Chairs with adjustable height, armrests, and lumbar support allow individual users to customize their seating for maximum comfort. Desks that can be adjusted for height can provide employees with the option to alternate between sitting and standing, thus reducing the risk of sedentary lifestyle-related issues.
Seat depth and width are also vital ergonomic factors. A seat that is too shallow or too deep can lead to poor posture, while one that is too narrow or too wide won't provide proper support. Look for chairs with seat dimensions that cater to a range of body types.
Material and padding are another concern. A chair should have enough cushioning to be comfortable but not so much that it lacks firm support. Breathable materials are also a plus, especially for those who spend long periods sitting.
Always check the warranty that comes with your furniture. The terms can vary widely, and understanding them upfront can save a lot of hassle and money down the line.
The assembly of your office furniture can often be overlooked, but it's a crucial factor that impacts both your timeline and budget. Furniture can either arrive pre-assembled or require assembly on-site, each with its own set of pros and cons.
Pre-assembled furniture generally saves you time and effort, as it arrives ready to be placed in its designated area. However, transporting larger, pre-assembled pieces might be challenging in terms of logistics and could incur higher shipping costs.
On the other hand, flat-packed furniture, which requires assembly, is easier to transport and may reduce shipping costs. However, you'll need to account for the time it will take to put everything together. Depending on the complexity, you may even need to hire a professional, which adds to the overall cost.
It's also worth noting that some sellers offer delivery and installation services, either included in the price or for an additional fee. This can be a convenient option, especially for larger setups where assembling multiple pieces of furniture could become overwhelming. These services can save you the hassle of coordinating with third-party assemblers or spending your own time on assembly, allowing you to focus on your business operations.
Understanding the assembly situation fully allows you to plan more effectively. Knowing whether you'll need additional tools, manpower, or professional assistance can help you avoid unexpected setbacks and make your furniture investment truly worthwhile.
Knowing when your furniture will arrive helps you plan other aspects of your office setup, including any downtime that might occur due to assembly.
The material composition of your office furniture has far-reaching implications, affecting aesthetics, durability, and even the cost of the items. When considering desks, it's worth noting that the vast majority are made from Melamine Faced Chipboard (MFC) coupled with metal framing. While hardwoods are known for their durability, they are seldom used in modern office furniture due to cost and other considerations.
MFC is a commonly used material because it offers a balance between cost-effectiveness and functionality. This type of chipboard is coated with a melamine resin, providing a smooth finish that can mimic the appearance of wood or other textures. MFC is generally easy to clean and maintain, which is a significant advantage in a busy office environment. However, it's worth noting that MFC can be less durable than solid wood and might be more susceptible to chipping or denting over time.
Metal framing, often made of steel or aluminum, provides the structural integrity for many office desks. These materials are highly durable and resistant to wear and tear, making them suitable for long-term use.
While it's rare, some desks do feature wooden legs or framing, often as a design choice. Although wood is generally more expensive, it can lend a timeless, classic feel to the office environment. It's essential to remember that wooden components can be more susceptible to scratches, dents, and water damage unless they are adequately treated and maintained.
The material also affects the environmental impact of your furniture. Many manufacturers now offer eco-friendly options, such as furniture made from recycled or sustainable materials. If sustainability is an important consideration for your company, look for certifications like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for wood or GREENGUARD for low chemical emissions.
Beyond desks, think about the materials for other pieces of furniture, like chairs or storage cabinets. Chairs often come in a range of materials, from mesh and fabric to leather and synthetic alternatives, each with its own set of pros and cons in terms of comfort, durability, and ease of cleaning.
In summary, when selecting material for your office furniture, consider how it will impact cost, durability, appearance, maintenance, and even your company's environmental footprint.
The cleanliness of an office environment plays a crucial role in employee well-being and can even affect productivity. Office furniture is subject to daily use, occasional spills, and the gradual accumulation of dust and grime. Therefore, it's important to consider how easy it will be to maintain your furniture in the long term.
Materials like leather and vinyl are generally easy to wipe down and sanitize, making them suitable for high-traffic areas or places where spills are likely. On the other hand, materials like fabric may offer a more comfortable seating experience but could be harder to clean and maintain.
Some furniture features can also make cleaning easier. For example, chairs with removable and washable cushion covers offer an advantage in terms of maintenance. Likewise, desks with smooth, non-porous surfaces are usually easier to clean than those with textured or intricate designs.
If you’re in a specialized setting like a medical office, where sanitation is a top priority, you may also need to consider furniture that is specifically designed to be disinfected easily. In such cases, you may want to consult with experts in healthcare furnishings to ensure you're meeting all the necessary guidelines for cleanliness and safety.
Durability plays a role here too. Some materials may be easy to clean but wear down quickly, requiring replacement or repair. So when considering ease of cleaning, also think about the longevity of the material under repeated cleaning cycles.
Before making your purchase, ask the vendor about the recommended cleaning procedures for the furniture. This information can help you assess whether your existing cleaning supplies and protocols are up to the task or if you'll need specialized products.
Choosing furniture that is easy to clean not only helps in maintaining a healthy and appealing work environment but also extends the lifespan of your investment, providing better value for your money.
Before making a purchase, understand the payment terms. Are there options for financing? Is a deposit required? Knowing this information upfront can help you manage your budget more effectively.
Customer reviews and references can provide valuable insights into the quality of the furniture and the reputation of the manufacturer or supplier.
If possible, inspect the furniture in a showroom or in person before purchasing. Photos and descriptions online can be misleading.
By asking these questions, you're setting the stage for a successful bulk purchase of office furniture. The right choices can improve employee satisfaction, boost productivity, and contribute to a more effective work environment.
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