Q

Q: How does my pricing compare as a member of Q-Power -vs- going direct to United Stationers?

A: You are leveraging the power of 75 current Members who collectively are selling over a $1,000,000.00 annual in office products sales through USSCo! Through QPower, you will be receiving pricing equivalent to a +$1,000,000.00 annual distributor! Based on United Stationers Pricing levels, when new Distributors sign up and do not have a current book of business doing at least $5,000 per month they will get entry level pricing. Entry level pricing does not give you a marketable advantage compared to what is available as a Q-Power Member. With Q-Power you will have more items at a better pricing level. Keep in mind that not every item will be less with Q-Power. Commodity items such as paperclips, white out, file folders etc., will be the same price with or without Q-Power.

A: United Consumers Price plans consist of specific items based on a category. All United Stationers Distributors will have 9W Price Plan. 9W Price Plan consists of ALL the items (in excess of 30,000 products) that United Stationers stocks. For some items, 9W is the best price plan. Additional product category price plans will have a lower cost of goods than 9W. These additional price plans provide very competitive pricing, based on diverse product categories like:

     • National Branded Products
     • Business Machines
     • Computer Products
     • Computer Hardware
     • Computer Imaging
     • Office Furniture
     • Private Branded Products Innovera, Alera and Universal
     • Jan/San Products

These price plans will provide an overall competitive gross margin for the top commodities in these product categories.

Q: Are there any price plans that are exclusive to Q-Power

A: Yes. A custom price contract has been negotiated with USSCo based upon Q-Power Member input.

Our Q-Power Advantage pricing will give you a marketing advantage all under 1 account number.

Q: Bottom line, how much sales volume would I need to produce as an independent United Stationers Dealer to have the same volume as Q-Power Members

A: If your monthly sales volume was in excess of $100,000 per month you would qualify for similar price plans as Q-power members.

Q: As a member of Q-Power are there any minimums that I must reach to retain the Q-Power Cost of Goods?

Q: What other advantage are there for being a Q-Power member other than pricing?

A: Strength is in numbers. Q-Power is gathering premier distributors and manufacturers together for the sole purpose of exploiting both the ease of use and cost efficiencies of your Quantum software system. Additionally we are committed to offering Training and Marketing solutions and material to help you expand and grow your business in the respective marketplaces. Other advantages to Membership include access to great pricing and marking opportunities from Norwood, Kids And Classrooms and Prime Time Sporting Goods.

Q: What kind of margins can I expect in the Office Supplies Market?

A: Typical margins range between 27 - 29 % Gross Margin. We understand that those margins are less than what we are accustom to on the Print and Promotional Items, however the trade off is the procurement and resources needed by your organization for this product line are considerably less than the Print and Promotional Products side of your business. Another thought to consider is that for every $1.00 spent on the print side of the business, your customer is spending on average $1.30 on their Office Supplies.

Q: What do I need to become a Q-Power Member?

A: Requirements are simple. You must be a current e-quantum client with the following modules: Quantum, Q-Net, Q-Send (Ussco interface part of Q-Send). If you need help identifying what software you have or questions about the interface please cal Beth Pohll @ e-quantum 800-328-7804 ext. 217 or email her beth@e-quantum.com.

After you have made sure that you have the proper system requirements, call Tim Emmitt at (330) 379-0055 or email him temmitt@Q-Power.net at Q-Power to request a Membership Application Packet to start the process. From application time to install should be approximately 2 weeks after all of your information is submitted in it's entirety.