Cheapest place to buy office supplies?

December 17, 2015 11:12 AM

I usually buy office supplies from CVS or similar stores, and it feels like I'm getting overcharged. I'd like to feel like I'm getting a good price, even though I'm not buying in bulk (which I'm guessing is where most of the discounts are). The items I'm most interested in are packing tape and printer paper.
posted by danceswithlight to Shopping (11 answers total)

Buying from Amazon or from dedicated office supply stores(Staples) is going to be much cheaper. Paper and packing tape are often basically given away as loss leaders to get you in the door, especially at back-to-school sales in August.
posted by rockindata at 11:21 AM on December 17, 2015

If you're buying paper by the case, Costco has very good prices. I don't think they sell by the ream, though.
posted by workerant at 11:30 AM on December 17, 2015

For packing tape, consider Home Depot. For cardboard boxes too. For paper, I would go to Staples. CVS or Walgreens or the like are charging you convenience prices for those items meaning that they know you will pay up to pick them up while in store and not have to drive to another store for one item.
posted by AugustWest at 11:35 AM on December 17, 2015

Response by poster: Just thought of something - maybe Ocean State Job Lot would be a good place to look.
posted by danceswithlight at 11:35 AM on December 17, 2015

You are probably not being overcharged. The items may be more expensive at a CVS, but you are paying for the convenience. The CVS is almost certainly paying more in rent (smaller footprint, more convenient location) than your closest big-box office supply store, is itself paying more for the products, and probably has higher labor costs (smaller store, higher product turnover).
posted by jimw at 11:45 AM on December 17, 2015

The Costco near me does sell individual 800-sheet packs of good quality paper, and rolls of packing tape - I think 6 at a time. You could also try Walmart or other supermarket-type stores.
posted by pocams at 12:09 PM on December 17, 2015

I think Target is pretty good on those things.
posted by SemiSalt at 12:34 PM on December 17, 2015

Walmart.
posted by atinna at 1:01 PM on December 17, 2015 [1 favorite]

Amazon can be hit and miss in terms of pricing. Some things can be a very good deal (for example, I've found good deals on computer paper, pens, pencils, printer ink), and other things are surprisingly expensive, so you may want to comparison shop before hand. It is convenient unless you need something right away.

One way to balance the increased prices at CVS is if you participate in their extra care program. I get so many $5 off coupons, 30% off, etc, and they also tend to give coupons targeted to items you purchase a lot, so that's worth keeping an eye on.
posted by litera scripta manet at 3:57 PM on December 17, 2015

maybe Ocean State Job Lot

Maybe, but if it's like the local bargain place near me, the quality is poor, ie packing tape that is so thin, it tears into ribbons when you try to use it and "recycled" printer paper that is like writing on tissue paper.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 5:38 PM on December 17, 2015

Buying online is probably going to be the best bet. You don't even have to buy in huge bulk to make that cheaper than CVS. I like Quill.com - originally a mail order company it's now Staples-owned but slightly cheaper, and has free shipping with any order over $45. Not to mention that they have a ton of coupons/free stuff offered all the time.
posted by gemmy at 7:27 PM on December 17, 2015