For many small businesses, finding office supplies that are affordable and high quality can be a challenge.  This especially true for equipment that tends to be expensive, such as business-quality paper cutters.

Don’t worry, though — there are ways to find the equipment you need at affordable prices.  Here are a few ideas:

• Office stores – Let’s start with the obvious, shall we?  Most office stores have a few paper cutters in different styles to choose from.  It’s most convenient to just be able to go to a local store, pick out a paper cutter, and take it back to the office.  However, you’ll also find the highest prices and the smallest variety in office stores.
• Online stores – You’ll have to pay shipping and handling, but e-commerce sites generally can offer the best selection at the lowest prices.  For instance, iShop Paper Cutters offers a wide variety of styles and models, such as business card cutters and paper stack cutters.  Plus, you can comparison shop without wasting precious gas.  It’s a worthwhile first step when shopping for a paper cutter.
• Craigslist – It’s kind of hit or miss, but sometimes you’ll find office supplies and equipment on your local Craigslist.  Be sure to only buy locally (to protect yourself from scams and fraud), and visually inspect the paper cutter before purchasing.
• Freecycle – This one is really hit or miss, but I’ve had lots of luck with Freecycle, and I’d recommend it to anyone.  On my local Freecycle, I’ve seen plenty of listings for free home office and office equipment — I got my printer there, and I’ve seen other equipment too.  Before you go out and buy a paper cutter, you can always get on your local Freecycle group and post a wanted ad to see if anyone has a paper cutter they no longer need.

Small businesses often operate on a very tight budget, meaning that good planning is necessary when buying equipment such as paper cutters.  However, it is well worth taking the extra time to shop around, as you can then leave some of that budget free to get other stuff your business needs.

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