All Your Office Needs (Viking-direct)

Member Name: lizkempo

Product:	Viking-direct
Date:	30/10/06 (139 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great fast service

Disadvantages: More discounts for compnays

Viking Direct

Viking Direct are our main stationary supplier at work, they are sister company to Office Depot and provide us with a great service.

As a business we have set up an account with them and place orders either by phone or by fax (both are free numbers). We are sent regular updated catalogues to order from, but the also have a website www.viking-direct.co.uk that you can place orders from.

The main reason we like Viking Direct is because they have a fast delivery service, you can order something in the morning and it will be with you by that afternoon, this is great if you suddenly run out of something.
If you place your order late afternoon you know that it will be with you by the next morning.
Also delivery is free for orders over £30.

The other reason we use Viking Direct is because they are cheaper than other companies and often have special deals and discounts. For example at the moment if you buy 3 packs of Mail Lite Bags you get a free hand held vacuum.
As well as the main Catalogues we quite often get sent smaller promotional magazines outlining their currant discounts.

Viking also have a great returns policy and they will collect your returned items and either replace or credit you with out any fuss. I have ordered the wrong thing before now and they have collected and credited us back even though it was my fault.

The catalogue is easy to use as it is split up into categories and these are colour coded:

Paper & Paper Products: All sorts of printing paper in various sizes and prices, we tend you use Vikings own brand, as it is cheaper. Also the more you buy the cheaper it is so for a business it is wise to stock up and do large orders.
For example if you buy 10 reams you can get them for £4.69 each or if you order 50 reams you can get them for £3.29 each.

One Stop Print: Viking offer a personalising service so you can add you company information to stamps, pens, envelopes etc. We have got two stamps with our address and logo on that we use quite a lot. We are not into to branding merchandise but this is a good idea if you want to try and promote your company.

Envelopes and mailing: these are one of the things we order the most of, Viking provide a wide range of envelopes in various sizes and colours etc. Again we tend to use the Viking own Brand, as they are the cheapest.

Stationary Supplies: General stationary, pens, highlighters, glue, tape etc we also order a lot of this from Viking, we always buy in bulk at the start of every term as it is cheaper and also we get through it so quickly that it is good to have plenty available.

Books, Pads & Accounting: Viking supplies a variety of different pads and notebooks and has a wide section of account books in particular. The things we use the most are their hardback books that are ideal for logbooks and message books.

Filing & archiving: Where would an office be without filing equipment! Although it is not my favourite task it is made easier with Vikings wide range of equipment. Suspension files are the things I use the most.

Desktop Accessories: This includes things like hole punchers, staplers, bookends etc. We only really get the smaller items from Viking; larger items tend to be bought from IKEA or other specialised stores.

Seating & Furniture: This includes desks, storage, chairs etc, the only furniture I have ever ordered from Viking is a large pull-out filling cabinet and I was very impressed with this, it came in pieces and was delivered by Viking and they put it together for us as well the reason for this is because it has to be specially put together.

Facilities Management: Recently we have had some refurbishment work on our building so we have had to pack up the building, to help us do this we ordered a box of packing tape from Viking, we got a box of 36 rolls for just £30.96
This section also includes catering, health & safety, fridges and freezers.

Presentation: we have just received a great freestanding display board from Viking and we are very pleased with it. This section also includes clipboards, flipcharts and display boards.

Office Machines: The includes fax machines, telephones, radios, TV's etc Because I work as part of a council we have to purchase such equipment from the council so we have never bought from Viking but they do have a wide range of different choices.

Computer Peripherals & Accessories: Laptops, digital cameras, scammer, web cams etc again we have never ordered any of these from Viking before.

Computer & Electronic Supplies: Inkjet Printers, laser Printers etc, I have never ordered these before either, but looking in the catalogue the prices are very reasonable.

Diaries & Planners: Every year we order our office diaries and wall planners, we like Viking because they do the term time planners and diaries.

If you are looking for something specific then you can use the equipment index at the book to look up the page number.

When you phone or fax your order you will need to give the product code and quantity that you require. The sales team are very good on the phone and always repeat your order back and confirm the prices with you. Please note that prices do not include VAT.

For fast delivery, great customer service and low prices, Viking are a great supplier.

Summary: Cheap and quick