How to Reduce Your Expenses on Legal Office Supplies

Do you feel like your current office supply budget seems to be growing each quarter instead of shrinking?

Are you concerned that you're overspending on supplies that are seriously lacking in quality?

Tired of waiting for slow shipping speeds, because you don't want to pay an exorbitant fee to have them shipped faster?

No matter the kinds of law firm supplies you're looking for, we know that you're always interested in learning how to get them for less.

In this post, we'll tell you some of the steps that you need to take in order to stop spending too much money on your legal office supplies.

We'll also let you know where you can go to find high-quality products online, brought to you by an experienced and trusted legal office supply company.

1. Know What You Truly Need

One of the main reasons that so many firms end up overspending on legal office supplies?

Because they purchase more supplies than they actually need. Before you decide to place an order for your law firm supplies, talk with your team about what's truly necessary for you.

Things like ink and toner, legal pads, and will and testament envelopes are likely things you won't be able to do without. But chances are, you're either over-ordering on the products you do need, or picking up supplies that you rarely end up using.

Come up with a "must have," "would like to have," and "willing to cut" list of office supplies for your firm. You might be surprised by the amount of money this frees up.

2. Monitor Office Supply Use

Have you noticed that the cost of office supplies for your legal practice seems to be increasing -- but you can't quite identify the reason why?

The problem may be that a few of your attorneys are using far more office supplies than some of the other people in your office. Of course, sometimes, this may be necessary. Certain people may have responsibilities that cause them to go through supplies at a faster rate than others.

However, if you suspect that someone in your office is using more than their fair share, it will begin to impact your bottom line.

Talk to your team about your office supply policy and inventory management strategy. If the problem persists, then you may want to implement an employee tracking program to cut down on an excessive office supply use.

3. Compare Prices Online

When you're in the market for office supplies for attorneys, one of the first things that you'll need to know to get a good deal is how much supplies cost.

Start your search by researching the products that you need online. Compare and contrast the prices you get from online retailers. Don't forget to take the shipping costs and speed into account.

Once you know the prices, you'll be able to avoid getting taken advantage of.

In some cases, you may even be able to use a lower price that you found online as a part of your negotiation tactics. Be aware, however, that if the price of office supplies seems "too good to be true," then it probably is.

It's important to read online reviews of online office supply retailers. If the majority of purchasers reference late or incomplete orders -- or are unhappy with the quality of the supplies?

Then you'll know that you should start looking elsewhere.

4. Buy in Bulk When You Can

One of the most effective ways to save money on legal supplies?

Consider buying in bulk whenever possible.

First of all, this allows you to place orders less frequently, which is much more convenient than having to re-order your basic supplies once every few weeks.

Additionally, buying in bulk is an excellent way to save money. Not only will you have to cover fewer shipping costs, but many office suppliers also offer discounts for companies that buy in bulk.

If you plan to do a significant amount of business with a specific supplier, you may even be able to negotiate a purchase contract with them.

Additionally, take a look at your office's current storage space, and determine whether or not you have room to make bulk purchases on your supplies.

5. Ask About Shipping Methods

Unfortunately, many legal professionals don't know that the shipping methods, and not the products themselves, are oftentimes what's really responsible for driving up the cost of office supplies.

Lots of office supply companies in today's world use dropshipping methods. This means that they never actually have the supplies in their own storage space or inventory.

Instead, they buy them from a third-party supplier, that then handles the shipping for them. This means that you could be paying for so-called "shipping costs" that aren't really necessary.

Don't get taken advantage of in this way. Furthermore, ensure that you're only getting the best in office supplies.

Instead, work with a company that ships and packages the majority of their order on their own premises.

Ready to Order Your Legal Office Supplies?

We hope that this post has helped you to better understand how to get your legal office supplies for less.

Remember to compare prices online, get realistic about what you truly need, and do your research when it comes to shipping methods.

Looking for an experienced and reliable legal office supply company?

If so, then we invite you to browse through our extensive inventory of office supplies for attorneys.

To learn more about how we can help you to save money, and how we're able to keep our prices low, click here.