Ionia OfficeWorks

I bought a new laptop computer last week. I was in Grand Rapids and wanted to see what Staples had to offer---so, in I went...and came out an hour later with a new computer!  What fun!

But, my trip into Staples was really an under-cover stealth shopping expedition, to compare their prices with ours.  I like to do this occasionally, to make sure we're still okay with our prices...and, once again, I was pleased with what I found!

It's back-to-school time, and their prices on back-to-school products are great.  They are selling some things for LESS than we pay for them wholesale!  So, if you need those products---and if money is an issue, go there and get them!

But, don't fall into the trap of thinking that as long as you are there....that you should buy everything else, too.  Because, many of those other products are much more expensive than they are right here in your own home town office products store!  That's what enables them to sell the school supplies below cost---they make it up on everything else!  It's true---I checked a whole array of products and discovered that we have them beat on: file folders, sheet protectors, ink, toner, envelopes, labels, staples and many other products.  I compared their "Staples" brand to our "house brand" wherever I could so that the comparison would be apples-to-apples.

Come on into Ionia Office Works and take a look at what we have to offer.  I think that you'll be pleasantly surprised!  And, remember---when you shop locally, everyone wins!

On May 1, Michigan joins 37 other states who have enacted strict anti-smoking laws.  All businesses will become smoke-free on that day...and all business owners need to post no-smoking signs on all entrances to their business.  Specifically, the law says:

“No Smoking” signs or the international “no smoking” symbol must be clearly and conspicuously posted at all entrances (front, side and/or rear). Additionally, signs must be posted at other areas where smoking is prohibited which may include patios, rooftops, outdoor tables and other areas where foods and/or beverages are intended to be served and/or consumed.

We've got No Smoking signs in stock---and more will arrive later this week.  The prices run from 59 cents up to $2.99.  Stop in and get yours, and you'll be in compliance with the new law!

When you think about cellophane tape, I'll bet that you automatically think, "Scotch Tape."  Fair enough...3M makes Scotch tape and it's a very good product.  

But, if you are tired of paying the premium price for genuine 3M tape, give our Sparco brand tape a try!  It's on sale for 95 cents per roll....compared to $2.29 for Scotch tape.  Quite a savings, huh?  And, it's VERY GOOD tape!  We use it in all of our tape dispensers, here at the store.

You'll surely want to order a dozen rolls of Sparco tape---so that you can use it in all of these ways: 

• Clean up broken glass 
  
• Protect screens of electronic devices
  
• Attach harmonica to your face for hands free play
  
• Turn sticky side out---remove lint and pet hair
  
• Use instead of Windex or Goo-Gone to remove sticky residue from glass
  
• Put a piece of tape over the thermostat control to keep others from adjusting it.
  
• Put an X of scotch tape on a balloon---Now you can stick a pin into it without popping it!  Great trick to fool the kids!  They'll think you have special powers
  
• Cover cracks in eggs to keep them from spoiling so quickly in the fridge
  
• Some marks on walls can be removed by dabbing with the sticky side of the tape
  
• Fix a hem temporarily. 

Sometimes the smallest and lowliest products are taken for granted, and yet where would we be without them?  This week, we're proud to present, 25 Uses for Paper Clips!

1.    Replacement for a zipper tab that has broken off.

2.    Fingernail cleaners.

3.    Christmas ornament holders.

4.    Use to unclog the Elmer’s glue bottle.

5.    Cherry pit removers.

6.   As a substitute for the “thingy” that holds the Scotch tape in thedispenser.  (Actually, if you have accidentally thrown that “thingy”away, we have replacements in stock for just 59 cents.)

7.    Emergency tie tack – use Jumbo paper clips for this.

8.    Inexpensive ear or body piercing tool.

9.    Inexpensive ear or body ring.

10.    Nose weight for paper airplanes.

11.    String them on string or wire and use to hold your Christmas cards.

12.    Give a whole box to a child and let him/her string them together.

13.    Use the string that the child made as garland on your Christmas tree.

14.    Bookmarks

15.    Lottery ticket scratchers.

16.    Lock the door to the bird or hamster cage.

17.    Let the air out of your tire when you over fill it.

18.    Let the air out of someone else’s tire when he takes up two parking spaces.

19.    Hold the cavity closed when roasting your Thanksgiving turkey.

20.    Make tiny tongs to remove the veggies you don’t like from the soup.

21.    Clean the gunk from rings.

22.   Cheapo money clip – usually this would require a Jumbo clip.  WithMichigan’s economy in the condition it is, a regular size one will workjust fine!

23.    Use to flick the crumbs out of your keyboard.

24.    Hold tea bags in the pitcher when making iced tea.

25.    Take a box to the beach and scatter them to drive the guys with metal detectors crazy.

They’re cheap—15 cents for a box of 100 regular sized clips and 59 cents for 100 Jumbo clips.  Stop in and grab a few boxes!

Here's a little food for thought:

• Every week we hear complaints from customers who are shocked at the cost of their ink jet cartridges.  Each time, we tell them the same thing---"Next time you buy a printer, talk to us first.  We can check the cost of the cartridges BEFORE you buy the machine."  We hope that you'll buy a printer from us, but even if you don't, we can help youmake a wise purchasing decision!

• Did you know that we offer a folding service?  No, we won't fold your laundry, but we WILL fold invoices, church bulletins, invitations,brochures, etc.  Our low cost for this service is just two cents per copy---and it will save you hours of valuable time.

• Don't forget that Mary can help you with graduation announcements, open house invitations and thank you cards!  For this important occasion, give your graduate the gift of personalization.
  

• Do you need a big, sturdy desk for your garage or workshop?  We've got just what you're looking for, and the price is great!  FREE to the first person who comes through the door, ready to carry it away!  It'sin great shape---just needs a good cleaning!  
• Two new flyers took effect on April 1.  One is filled with furniture bargains, the other has page after page of janitorial/breakroom/cleaning supplies.  Dick is dropping off flyers with all orders.  If you don't get one, give us a call and someone will bring it to you.

As many of you know, we carry a lot of Brother products---from labelers to printers to fax machines---we are a big believer that Brother machines provide the best bang for your buck.  They are a company that doesn't spend a lot of money on expensive advertising campaigns.  Instead, they produce high quality, economical products that they stand behind 100%.

Here are a few of the things that set Brother apart from the "big-guys":

• Their customer service department is located in Memphis, TN.  And, their customer service reps speak English!
• If you call that customer service department, you will be connected to a tech who will spend as much time with you as it takes to troubleshoot or to answer any questions that you have.
• If they decide that the problem can't be fixed, they will ship you a different machine, free of charge, along with a prepaid shipping label so that you can return the defective one.
• We are able to buy refurbished Brother machines at a huge savings---and we pass those savings on to you!  There is absolutely no risk in buying a refurbished machine, since it comes with the exact same, one-year warranty that a new machine would have.

Here are some of the deals on refurbished Brother office machines that we currently have in stock:

• Inkjet All-In-One (Printer, fax, scanner, copier): Sale $99.99.  (The best part about this machine, is the economical cartridges that it uses!)
• Laser All-in-One: Sale $219.99 (Regular $379 if new)
• Laser Fax : Sale $199.99 ((Regular $299 if new)
• P-Touch Labeler: Sale $34.00  ((Regular $79.99 if new)
• All of these products come with a full warranty!

Call us today and let us tell you all about our Brother products!

Think back to your high school and college days.  Remember all of the things you learned?  Many of those things were soon forgotten, but you will have to admit that there are a few tidbits of information that are forever stuck in your brain, and many of those tidbits are totally useless in every day life! 

For example, every year onMarch 15, I think back to my junior year of high school when I learned from Mrs. Gina Brooks that Julius Caesar was killed on March 15---and that the day is know as the Ides of March.  The only time I ever used that information was to pass the exam at the end of my junior year and to beat my son in a game of Trivial Pursuit many years later!

This year, I decided to make the Ides of March a meaningful day for Ionia County.  In honor of the day, we've got a new 8-page sale flier that will go into effect today and run through the end of the month. Take a look!  There are lots of great furniture buys inside, and also a special offer where you can get a $100 Visa Gift Card AND a freefire-safe/waterproof hard drive for your computer!

In addition, I want to remind you that if you have a high school senior---we do custom graduation invitations and announcements.  Stop in and talk to Mary about designing something special for you.

Enjoy the Ides of March, 2010---and Thank You for Shopping Locally!

PS  I'll be on vacation next week, so there won't be a Monday E-Mail!  See you in two weeks!

When you patronize a small business, you should be able to count on that business to give you good personal service.  At Ionia Office Works, we try hard to do that, and are always pleased when customers comment on it.  Last week, I overheard two different customers compliment our sales staff on their great service.

One lady was working on a project and needed 20 sheets of premium paper to print it.  She was thrilled to discover that she could buy paper by the sheet at Ionia Office Works, and didn't have to buy an entire package.

Another young lady, was in town for a job interview.  She had never been to Ionia before, and she was frantic when she discovered that she had left her presentation materials back home on her desk.  Through the miracles of modern technology, she was able to bring her flash drive into our store and we were able to print the presentation for her.   Her total cost was under a dollar.  She, too, was thrilled with the service AND the price.  Surely, her job interview went well...because she left the store with a big smile on her face!

If you aren't already a regular customer---stop in for a visit.  Let us show you the wonderful care that we provide to our customers!

We've got some more web sales going on this week---there's a $5 coupon on our website, just waiting for you to print it out and bring it in!  Go to www.ioniaofficeworks.com to see what else is on sale---and as always, Thank You For Shopping Locally!

The world of the internet is a wonderful place---when it works!  When it doesn't, it's pretty darn frustrating!

Our new website is all up and running, but if you tried to access it over the past few weeks, you probably got an error message....and so did I.  Now, it seems to be working the way it's supposed to---so, please click on this link and take a look!

In order to make amends for all of the trouble we've put you through, we are extending all of our Web-Only sales for an extra week, including the sales that required a coupon.   There are bargains right now, that are too good to be missed!

A couple of other noteworthy items: 

• The post office is giving us a very hard time when mail comes through using only our street address, without our post office box number.  So, if you mail us a payment or an order, please be sure to note P.O. Box 87 in the address.
• For the next few weeks, most deliveries will be made on Wednesdays and Fridays, due to some schedule changes by our primary wholesale supplier.  Thanks for your understanding
• Enjoy the March sunshine---and be happy that winter is coming to an end!  Thanks for shopping locally!

Did you know that it was exactly 131 years ago today, February 22, 1879 that Mr. Woolworth opened the very first five cent store in New York City?  According to an inflation calculator that I found on Google, that five cents would be worth $1.14 today....thus, today we have Dollar Stores. 

In 1879, typewriters had been in use for about five years, and they were priced at $125.  Guess how much that would be today.  $2854!  Wow!  You could buy a pretty sophisticated computer for just half that amount!  (We still sell a few typewriters a year, here at Ionia Office Works, and they sell for around $139.)

Another staple in the office products industry---the lowly lead pencil--- sold for 3 cents in 1879.  That converts to 69 cents today---the price of a dozen lead pencils.

So, while none of us likes to see prices creeping upwards, it's good to remember to put things into perspective, and be glad that we're not paying those 1879 prices.

This week, Mary is running a special on business cards.  Go online to our website, www.ioniaofficeworks.com to print out a coupon that will save you $10.

As always, thanks for shopping locally!  And, if you're driving today---be careful!