Some low prices do not indicate good deals all around
Although vendors may advertise very low prices for certain goods, do not automatically assume other products for sale are also good deals. This holds particularly true when buying non-essential office supplies such as shipping materials or computer accessories.

Getting better price quotes
To obtain the most favorable pricing from prospective vendors, draw up a list of the twenty products that are used most frequently in your office. Then, ask for price quotes for this list with a couple of contract stationers in your area and compare these prices to those of the same products at your local superstore.

Warehouse clubs
Warehouse clubs are a good option for discount pricing on many common office supplies. After paying an upfront membership fee, customers can take advantage of the bulk buying power and exceptionally low overhead of the warehouse format. The greatest drawback is that warehouse clubs tend to have a very limited, varied selection, which will be a problem for all but the most flexible consumers.

Only ask for services that you need
When comparing contract stationers, make sure to evaluate the services that you require. Although contract stationers do not explicitly raise your prices depending on the level of service you receive, it is certainly factored into future rate increases. You should ask only for the services that will help your business function more efficiently. Do not include services in your agreement just because they are "free."

Rebates for high-volume buyers
Some contract stationers offer a 1%-2% rebate if your total buying over a given year exceeds a certain level. In most cases, you should expect to spend at least $10,000 per year to qualify for rebates.