Helpful Tips for Ordering Wholesale Packaging Supplies in Bulk

If you’re tasked with ensuring your packing and shipping operations run smoothly and without interruption, it’s critical that you keep your team stocked with the materials they need to be productive. It’s also important that you do what you can to control the costs associated with shipping. Buying wholesale packaging supplies in bulk can help you achieve your operational and financial goals.

This shopping approach also allows you to reduce the number of “to-do” items on your list. Instead of having to buy more materials weekly or monthly, you may only have to do it quarterly or every six months.

When And Why, You Should Consider Buying Shipping Supplies In Bulk?

Really, any time is a good time to compare prices. Whether you choose to purchase supplies right away or not, you’ll have the information you need to make an informed decision.

Being proactive tends to be better than feeling pressured into making a quick decision between buying a short-term supply or buying in bulk. Faster decisions may be required in certain situations, such as:

Your existing stock is running low. If you wait until there is an urgent need to replenish your supplies, you are likely to make the smallest purchase you are familiar with. That amount will keep your shipping operations going, but you’ll miss out on the benefits of buying in bulk.

You are not satisfied with your current provider. If your relationship with your current provider deteriorates because they raise their prices by an unreasonable amount, start providing poor service, or for some other reason, you may be itching to switch to a new provider.

You start shipping new products. If your business introduces new products to your line and they will require different shipping materials, it is helpful to know your options for accommodating this change in your shipping procedures.

Your company is looking to cut costs. Knowing what your bulk purchasing options are can be key if your company is launching a cost control initiative and expects what your contribution to the effort will be.

Shipping Supplies You Can Buy in Bulk

There are many types of packing and shipping supplies that you can buy in bulk. Four of the items that can offer the most benefit are:

Shipping of cardboard boxes. In addition to what you pay carriers, the cost of shipping cardboard boxes is probably one of your biggest shipping-related expenses. Getting a discounted rate to buy boxes in bulk can result in significant savings.

Shock-absorbing material. If the items you’re shipping are fragile, you never want to skimp on fillers like air pillows or paper padding. Having a good supply can prevent situations where a shipping team member tries to use “just enough material” in each box to make a dwindling supply last a little longer.

Water Activated Tape (WAT). The great thing about the water-activated tape (also called duct tape) is that it comes in rolls that don’t take up a lot of storage space. Consequently, you can buy a supply that will last you for many months and you will have no problem storing it.

Water-activated tape dispensers. Especially if you’re transitioning to WAT, it’s a good idea to purchase multiple dispensers to ensure you can accommodate any planned growth in shipping volume or just temporary surges.