Q-Power

F.A.Q.

The Q-Power Advantage

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Office Products

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

A: 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 price pricing. Entry level pricing, that alone 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. There are approximately 1500 commodity price items that your cost of goods will be the same with or without Q-Power, those being the low margin commodity items.

Q: Can you explain the United Dealer Price Plans?

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 41,000 items) that United Stationers has. For some items (approximately 1500 commonly used commodity items), 9W is the best price plan. Based on your sales volume, you can qualify for additional price plans that will have lower Cost of Goods than 9W. All additional price plans will be a subset of 9W. It is the power of these other price plans combined that you are able to get the best cost for the items you are selling.

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

A: Yes. Q-power has special price plans exclusive to its members that are not available outside the Q-Power Program. These items include item categories such as ...

Azerty Products,
Branded Products,
Business Machines,
Computer Products,
Computer Hardware,
Computer Imaging,
Furniture, Private Label Products
Jan/San Products

Our Q-Power Advantage pricing will give you a marketing advantage all under 1 account number. Exclusive Q-Power Price Plans are not available to any other United Stationers Dealer

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 50,000 per month you would qualify for similar price plans as Q-power members. You will not however have the sample price plans because certain price plans are exclusive to Q-Power.

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

A: No. At Q-Power we leverage all the members collective sales to reach our sales volume requirements, so that no independent member needs to worry about meeting a minimum volume per month.

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

A: Strength is in numbers and Q-Power is gathering premier distributors together for the sole purpose of enhancing both the ease of use and cost efficiencies experienced when the collective efforts of their group are directed toward lowering cost of goods and increasing profit margins for Office Supplies, Print and Promotional Markets. Additionally we are committed to offering Training and Marketing solutions and material to help you expand and grow your business in the respective marketplaces.

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 call 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, please fill out our 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.