Should You Subscribe to Office Supply Deliveries?
Between managing deadlines, teams, and budgets, the last thing any office manager or small business owner wants to do is make emergency supply runs. That’s why many businesses are turning to office supply subscription services for paper, ink, snacks, and more. But is subscribing worth it—or just another recurring expense? Here’s what to consider before signing up.
What are office supply subscription services?
Subscription services automate your supply orders on a recurring basis—weekly, monthly, or quarterly. You can customize quantities, skip deliveries, and pause or cancel anytime. The goal is to simplify restocking and reduce the chances of running out of essentials.
Popular platforms offering recurring delivery options include:
- Amazon Subscribe & Save for everything from paper towels to printer ink
- Quill Auto-Delivery for office-specific products
Benefits of subscribing
- Convenience: No need to remember to reorder staples, toner, or notepads.
- Cost savings: Many programs offer discounted prices or free shipping for subscribers.
- Consistency: Reduces interruptions in workflow due to out-of-stock items.
- Time efficiency: Frees up team members who would otherwise be responsible for manual supply tracking.
Potential drawbacks
- Overstocking: If your usage drops, you could end up with excess supplies.
- Subscription fatigue: Too many overlapping subscriptions can be hard to manage.
- Pricing fluctuations: Subscriptions don’t always lock in prices long-term.
- Inflexibility: Forgetting to skip or adjust a shipment can result in wasted spend.
How to decide if it’s right for you
Ask yourself the following:
- Do you reorder the same items at least once a month?
- Do your supply needs stay consistent over time?
- Do you have limited staff available for inventory tasks?
- Are you currently paying shipping fees or late-order markups?
If you answered yes to most, a subscription could save time and money—especially when combined with rewards programs or gift card savings.
Maximize value with cashback
Some platforms allow you to stack savings by using gift cards purchased at a discount. For example, you can buy a Staples gift card online or earn cashback at Office Depot with Fluz, giving you immediate rewards on top of subscription savings. Always check platforms like Fluz, Rakuten, or Ibotta before checkout to make the most of your spend.
Final tip
Start with one or two recurring items—such as printer paper or trash bags—then expand as you see consistent savings. Monitor usage monthly to ensure your deliveries match actual consumption.
Subscriptions aren’t one-size-fits-all, but when managed well, they can free up time, cut costs, and keep your office running like clockwork.
