When looking for supplies, I recommend finding good vendors that will take care of you. Price may be a little higher, but they are the ones that will help you in a bind, show you what’s new and different, and may even send you customers. I think we all prefer customers that are loyal to us, and so do our vendors.

Going for the cheap option may hurt more than it helps. The saying “you get what you pay for” is a real thing. For me, when we buy supplies, I look at a number of things:

1. Do we really need it?
2. How often will we need to order?
3. What other options are there?
4. How long will shipping take?
5. Is it quality?

We are all in business to make money, not break even or lose money. It is important to price based on your costs, not what your competition is pricing. If you use quality products, your pricing may be a little higher. Using those products may also make you more efficient and more profitable.

Although you need to keep costs in mind, quality should always be the most important part of buying materials. If you cheap out, you will end up spending more in the long run.