IDEA: Call your office supplies vendor: ask for top 20 items and methods to cut $(Vol, Frt, Off-brands, etc)

Ask your office supplies company for your YTD purchases by item arranged highest $ item to lowest to find the high dollars to cut.  Tell him you want to keep your relationship with his firm but you have to cut costs.  You know he knows the products better than you so he is a good choice to ask how you can save money on the top 10-20 items you bought the last 12 months.  Is larger less frequent purchases better? Does he recommend off-brands that he carries which will be cheaper than what is currently being sold?  Is it cheaper to go pick up the supplies versus dropping them off (cut freight costs)? Limit what can be bought and throw away catalogs.  Are there volume discounts available and how much can be saved. When you have exhausted your discussion with your current supplier and are getting nowhere with the guy, call someone else, offer them the list and tell them if they are interested, please bid on the following items listed on this invoice from your current supplier (shown without pricing).