Isn't the Internet great? It's brought the entire world right into our living rooms and offices, making life a bit easier in the process. The days of spending countless hours driving to and from shop to shop, not to mention wasting the fuel for our autos, just to try to find that one specific item – you know the one that you just can't seem to locate- are all but over, thanks to the World Wide Web!


The same can be said for shopping for office supplies.


How many times have you driven to several different locations in search of a particular pen style that the boss just has to have, only to drive back to the office empty handed? Then you realize that the list you had made is sitting on your desk- and you just can't remember for the life of you what the other 2 items on it were- pens and…?


Shopping online for office supplies is safe, fun and easy to do, but you do need to be careful, just as with any other time you shop on the web.


First things first, you need to check the security on the website of choice, usually identifiable by the "Verisign" logo on the website's homepage. This sign lets you know that here on this site, your payment information is safe and secure. That's a good thing.


Next, look for a variety of office supply products with competitive prices. In addition to the typical office supply stock, additional items available for purchase may include art and graphic supplies, products to get mailings ready for the post, and filing items.


Janitorial supplies are some of other items you might want to look for, as some of the more current shops are beginning to carry them. Garbage bags and paper towels are always in demand at just about every office, so having the ability to order them with your weekly requisition is simply a bonus.


Don't forget about office furniture! Need a new chair or printer stand? Or even a new printer- or maybe a computer, too! It would be great to have it come in with the copy paper order, wouldn't it?


On a final note- one that deserves the utmost attention is this: Free Shipping. I'm not implying that shipping should be free when you buy a package of post-its and a No.2 pencil, just that the shipping should be free with a reasonable purchase amount. £40 should be the limit- you shouldn't have to spend any more than that.


The bottom line: unless you enjoy spending your lunch break sitting in traffic running errands for your boss, you are sure to enjoy shopping online for your office supplies.




Doug Sandler recommends office supplies from Neat Ideas.