• Thermal Paper
• POS Paper
• Thermal Paper Rolls
• Printer Ribbons
• Plotter Paper
• Engineering Paper
• Thermal Fax Paper
• Epson Printer Ribbons
• Okidata Ribbons
• Colored Thermal Paper

As a small business owner, I like to support other small businesses. I just feel better knowing that the profits from my purchases are going to someone like myself who has decided to open their own shop and work for him or herself. I have nothing against big businesses, after all, most of them started out small too. It’s just that I feel like I’m making more of a difference to someone if I use the services of a small business owner.

On the other hand, just because you run a small business doesn’t mean that I don’t expect to receive good customer service and pay competitive prices. I’m not looking to make charitable contributions to small businesses that overcharge or don’t care about my well-being as a customer. Fortunately, most small business owners realize the important role that customer satisfaction plays in the success of their business and this isn’t usually a problem.

I realize that in some cases, small businesses can’t source their merchandise as cheaply as the big companies that buy massive quantities of every item they sell on a regular basis. However, small businesses, especially web-based small businesses often have lower overheads, and run a more efficient business, often relying on family to pitch in and help with the day to day operations before they can afford regular employees. All in all, I find most small companies to be at least competitive in pricing and often I find small suppliers have lower prices than big chain stores that rely on their convenient locations and their expensive marketing campaigns to keep the customers coming no matter how much they charge.

I really think small business owners should look to support each other first when choosing suppliers. Compare prices and do what’s best for your own situation, of course, but make sure to at least check out the pricing and availability of your basic business supplies from several small businesses before you run to Staples or Office Depot. Just as you’d like potential customers to give your product or service a fighting chance, make sure you are doing the same for others.

Even with something as simple, yet necessary, as thermal paper rolls for your credit card machine or other common POS supplies, you’ll often find that not only can you get a better price with a smaller company, but you’ll have a faster turnaround time, and will get those supplies delivered much faster. After all, as a small business yourself, your order doesn’t mean a whole lot to the bigger suppliers, but it can mean everything to a small, family run operation that is struggling to pay the bills or turn a profit.