Print Page - Do you keep the supply cabinet full?

Is it your job to order and keep the supply cabinet full? If so, what do you end up ordering the most? Do you go through pens fast or maybe post-its? How do you decide what to order? Price, green, what the company lists, or personal choice. What are some of the "unique," "strangest," or "coolest" thing you have had to order?

I am working on my supply order as I read this. I order supplies weekly. I think the item we order the most is re writeable dvds. I have just started to order a few flash drives, I will see if people like them. If I had to say what normal supply, 3x3 post its. I like to order different colors and it is the standard yellow people use the most.

How do I decide? Well we have a set list of standard supplies negotiated by our purchasing department but I tend to step out of the box. It is good for some items but really it is my choice. For example, we have a box of pens for $1 (cheap stick pens). I totally stay away from them, because I have found most don't work well or run out fast. The staplers they list are horrible, jam, jam jam, but the staples they have on their list work well. I do like to go for quality over just straight price.

Strangest item I have ordered... don't remember or nothing stands out, oh wait I had to order a car booster seat for someone's chair (not sure why they didn't adjust the chair or get a new one). Unique? Many, we have order some pretty unique desk lamps, software packages. plants for the office, sculpture for the lobby. Coolest thing I had to order? Glass art that was given to each and every member of our department. They cost about $150 each so not cheap trinkets. I still have mine on my desk right now.

We order supplies when we need them, not on a schedule sometimes we can order twice a week, others once a month. Usually once a week. We order pens the most, like emwright, we go for quality pens over cheap stick pens. Ordering supplies and what to pick is my decision unless someone specifically asks me for a brand. I pick from past experience with companies, learning about product from the internet (DeskDemon) and research I try to pick the best product for the best price.

Strangest thing I have ordered, nothing really strange. Coolest thing? The first time I ordered my own headset for the phone, most unique, hmm I get special orders all the time, I guess it was one special order for a "pink" mouse for the computer.

I just ordered supplies yesterday. I usually order as we need items. My company has best buy items with Staples so we get discounts. I always try to order $50 min for free shipping. But one toner cartridge fills that request. My department are pen snobs, they like a particular kind of pen, so I always try to have a spare box of a dozen around. My predecesor loved to order supplies, I have been trying to make do and use up, I've been in my current position over a year and just recently ordered file folder labels! I probably order every 4-6 weeks. I will also share with other departments for supplies as I know I have the tabs and labels for everything, so if I need to borrow it's not a cost center issue!

I usually replenish stock every 2-4 weeks, depending on how low stocks are or what individuals require.

We have standard stock items that are housed in a central store, however for non-stock items we have to request these from an outside supplier.

I usually re-order many of the same items so it's an easy task. However, I find the more I stock, the more people want!

It isn't my remit to order items for our central store. We have free access to our central store and can order things for our own offices within reason. I'm quite frugal with supplies (am using intrays which I understand were in use 15 years ago) and only order/use what I need. Some of my colleagues are very particular about the colours they have on their desks - one person has all items in pink, for instance. Possibly "cool" if you like pink, but certainly costly.

I was responsible for ordering supplies for my entire company in my last post and kept a tight rein on what was ordered. I tended to order, as I request nowadays, things that work well and last a long time because cheaper things can sometimes be a false economy. Pens and post-it notes were the things that people got through most.

Due to cost containment we have created a central supply. After collecting all of the left over supplies after the reorganization we have 3 rooms of "stuff".

File folders are the most in demand as are a spital bound notebook which is the journal of choice for many in our department. Have not really had any weird things really.

We order from central supply first. If the item, new or used, is not in stock, they place the order for the most cost effective item available and comparible. There a few items that have to be ordered like the journals. Our new supply vendor sort of undermines our efforts by requiring a $50 min. order to avoid shipping charges. Our staff completes the supply order form themselves and submits to central supply. I set it up so I am out of the loop unelss I have to order for me or my boss.

Q: For those of you who are female PAs/Admins, how many are responsible for carrying or have been seen to carry a box of photocopying paper to the photocopier?

I literally have too far to carry a full box even though I am in the same building as our paper supplies. However I have just literally passed a manager who said, how degrading, I've just had to go and get that myself! As you can imagine there was steam coming out of my ears as I walked passed and said nothing.

Does he assume it's less degrading for me? Should I as a female be seen to carry such supplies while the men stand and watch? I bet he has trouble putting the bins out at home....

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference, because soo help me... >:(

Oh Jess that's awful! It was on the tip of my tongue to say, oh well can't help, haven't done the manual handling course! I was so proud of myself for walking passed and saying nothing.

Do they see those tasks as female?? I have been in shock as men have watched me struggle and then actually held the door open for me - ???

Gee,

I don't think those tasks are seen by that manager of yours as specifically being female, but for support staff only. And most support staff may be female.

The person who orders our office supplies happens to be female and she is happy to carry things around (we have a little truck on wheels for anything heavy). For anything that is very heavy, we commandeer any man who happens to be passing or standing still near us - including Directors. No-one ever refuses, probably because they've been house-trained. Mind you, my company is relatively small and we have no time for egos. Egos have to stay outside or are hung up with the coats.

I think I would have called out that passing manager. Degrading??? Exactly what do you mean, sir???

That's ridiculous and a very inappropriate comment to say.

In our company though, it would be strongly frowned upon for me to carry a box of copy paper a long distance, for fear of back injuries. Safety is taken very seriously here. They would want one of the trained guys to do it and use the proper equipment as well (those dollies/hand trucks). If a guy did see me carrying it, they would absolutely step forward and offer to take it.

Gee I would have been fuming as well. That is audacity. My company is like Marie' s. The don't want me carrying heave boxes. We actually have the paper supply boxes delivered and stacked next to the main printer. There are a few people here that do think it is below them to change the toner or unjam the copier.

Jennika, that happened in the previous building I was in. Now I am located next to stores/goods inward, we are told to get the copy paper ourselves. I usually lift a couple of reams but some of the men have the wit to carry a full box. Obviously some weren't born with that wit, or they were, but don't think it's their responsibility. Must remember that next time they want help with Powerpoint, Excel, Word etc.... ;)

Our mail services dept. carry our paper and stack it at the copier. As far as carrying the boxes, they use a cart. Safety and preventing injuries are a number 1 priority at our company. I have been known to commandeer one of the guys to help with heavy lifting or climbing under the conference table to plug in the projector. They never say no and are always willing to lend a hand.

:(
Peaches, I should be so lucky. I strongly believe, in this job, that if I want something done properly I do it myself. That includes moving heavy boxes/objects, delivering papers to Counsel etc etc!

I wish someone could save me from the inept! (sorry, paralegal I work with has been presented with a 1.4mtr high stack of filing (only 1 months worth!) and I am spitting mad because they promised that it had all been done!

My stationery cupboard is more or less like a sweet shop...everything you could think of in all colours.

This morning though someone went to get a pen. Not a big deal, I hear you say. However sadly, lo and behold, my mistake, there were no blue ones.

What?!

Take a flippin black one and be thankful you have a job to come to every day to use it!! Is there something wrong with these numpties or is nothing ever good enough?

The person in question has now asked around the whole office for a blue pen. It's funny cos everyone is offering him black... :D

On official forms you are usually required to complete them in black ink but I believe this is because black ink photocopies more clearly than other colours.

Me wanting to write in blue ink is just something I personally like to do if given the choice.

Not sure why you deem this chap wanting a certain colour pen as being ungrateful - he may have had a good reason for needing a blue ink pen.

He's awkward. If I had blue pens he would have wanted black. He's like this daily.

The only reason he wanted blue is because he like it nothing more...I asked him. If he knew what standing in a dole queue was like, it wouldn't matter what colour of ink he was provided with.

Life is too short to be worrying about pens and ink when there's so much else going on in the world.

He is like me then, simply likes to write in blue - just a little harmless foible - Hope he found one ;)

A quiet thought - if life is too short to worry about pens and ink when there is so much else going on in the world, why take time to post about what you see as this chap's daily awkwardness? Ridiculing him by calling him a numptie is unkind, who knows what is going on in his personal world that causes him to act like this.

Perhaps we should all let the small things go unmentioned and concentrate on the bigger things that we can change that is wrong in the (our) world.

Exactly, so write with a pen that is available and don't be selfish enough to ask for something else!

I post for the same reasons others post Cathy.

It's tiresome on a daily basis having to listen to selfish individuals whine and whine about petty things, things they get paid to do but yet cannot make decisions. I feel sorry for their wives!

On Monday this guy asked me to book flights, we discussed the options, he mulled it over. He came back later and asked me to book them, I asked if he was sure, he said yes go ahead.

On Tuesday morning he asked me if I had booked the flights. I looked at him and said, you know I did. He then said oh. I asked what the problem was and he said he was trying not to go.

For me that is a complete waste of my time and he knows it. It's as if the flight times don't match what he wants and he's practically asking me to charter a flight for him.

I get asked the same questions every week and yet they all look blankly at me when I give them the same answers. Anyone who travels knows that timetables only change in March and Sept and even then, flights only change by a few mins, not hours.

You want to come and work here - you have no idea how they operate.

Know the feeling well, gee - I have the scars too!.

They never realise that indecision costs money in business and sometimes the effect they are after is just not worth the effort of preventing urgent matters being dealt with in a timely manner.

Just remember, we may find it hard to work with the numpties in the office, but it is near impossible to get rid of the bodies! ::)

Pretty certain I do know how your people operate - it has been the same everywhere I have worked, none more so than where I am now.

Doubt if anyone works somewhere where such daily occurances do not happen. I work with some of the most academic people around yet have trouble dealing with day to day issues - that is just their way and why I and my colleagues work with them with understanding and a sense of humour to get work done.

Most days someone wants to tear their hair out in my office but you need to keep things in perspective and keep a sense of humour. Yes, their actions do 'waste our time' on occasions but I doubt there is anyone out there who is perfect - or is there?

Yes, it would be great to work somewhere where everything ran like clockwork with no silly questions, people changing their mind once bookings have been made, can't make their minds up, going to the wrong restaurant and then you having to arrange a taxi to whiz them across to another one, those who arrive at the airport and find they have left their passport at home, - the list is endless but we are professionals who just sort these problems out quietly and efficiently.

Yes, it is frustrating to have to deal with such things on a daily basis but that is office life is it not?

Okay this is travel and not pens (I actually buy my own of those so I can have whatever colour I like and in my world of brainstorms, financial reconciliation and project plans coloured pens are important) but turning this the other way:

I recently wanted train tickets and a hotel booked.

The first secretary told me "I don't do trains" (still trying to work out what she do do!)

The second one told me "oh no I don't book that stuff talk to X"

X said "we can't book that hotel it is an Internet price and the travel agents don't do those" "oh and you can have a warrant for the train"

NOW JUST a ******* MINUTE!

I want particular trains booked because they have to connect with my bus service AND booking those trains is half the price of the warrant
The very same travel agents have booked those internet hotels for me for four years in my previous job AND since my employer takes two months to reimburse expenses why should I fork out for it.

It took me half a day of my time to sort this travel out so that a secretary could tell the travel agent ... I find myself asking why does the secretary need to be involved if I have to do 95% of the work myself?

It cuts both ways ...

Pens, travel, whatever... it all boils down to the same thing...ditherers and time wasters.

If I didn't do my job as well as I did, I would be fired, no question about it. However I cannot be responsible if individuals are unsure which flight they want or turn up at the wrong restaurant - how on earth do they manage in their personal lives? How difficult is it to function on a daily basis like a human being should?

I work in admin, I'm not a nurse, nor anyone's mother. I think you have to draw the line at a certain point and make people think for themselves. After all, I'm supposed to be pro-active and solve problems, so why do these people make it even more difficult.

It's like someone saying ooh I've put on 2 pounds. Starvation and poverty are rife throughout the world. Having pens and food would be like winning the lottery to some people, yet others who have all that, moan about it.

I have no time for those who cannot see how well off they actually are.

I have no problem ordering individual requests for stationery that allows someone to do their job ie. coloured pens or highlighters, but when it comes down to the fact that they just want a blue pen for no reason other than ooh that’s what they want, I call that petty and selfish. I could understand if there were no pens in the cupboard but considering the way it was asked and that it was almost unreasonable there was only black, I think some people need to grow up.

A child would be told the very same thing, so why not an adult?

Mmmm, as a PA/admin, call it what you will, why would anyone working in these positions think themselves above sorting out situations that others they work for have got themselves into?

If my boss rings and says, "help, I'm at the wrong restaurant" would I say "so, what do you want me to do about it?" - of course not, I would resolve the problem - it is part of my job, one of the reasons he pays me - to ensure his life runs smoothly. If he messes up why would I critisize him? He will make mistakes as we all do. This does not make me his mother or his nurse. It means as his PA I am doing my job. He does not blame me for his mistakes but does expect my help in putting him right.

He did not deliberately go to the wrong place, a moments lapse of concentration perhaps therefore he did not, in this case, make things difficult for me, it was just one of those silly things that happen. I take it in my stride, I might tut to myself or raise my eyes to the sky but hey, stuff happens, just deal with it without treating it like it is a major problem.

Yes, there will always be people at work who we think of as ditherers or who we feel are being petty over certain things but nobody is perfect. Anyone who claims they are, are just fooling themselves.

Cathy,

The original title of this topic was, do you keep the supply cabinet full. My answer is yes, but obviously it's not good enough based on what I have posted above.

It seems the more I do, the less people are satisfied.

If my boss said he was at the wrong restaurant, first and foremost it would likely be after hours and he would not able to contact me. Secondly that's never happened with anyone I have worked for and if it did, I could only assist during office hours.

Like I said I'm a PA, I do my job and provide the information that is asked of me. It's not my job to take anyone by the hand and lead them to where they are supposed to be.

It's not mistakes these individuals make per se, it's lack of common sense.

Gee - this thread veered off course a little from your original posting, I believe, when you posted, I thought, rather mockingly, about the chap who wanted a blue pen and you likenend him to a numpty. You then went on to say he should be grateful he has a job and shouldn't care about what colour his pen was, dole queue etc.

I found this connection of wanting a blue pen and dole queue, well, strange. It went from one extreme to another and I still don't really understand your train of thought over, what I would deem, a trivial matter.

As I said previously, we all probably come across people in our offices who we class as annoying and who we may think are not up to our ideal office colleague but irritating as they may be, that is how they are. Perhaps we do things that others class as annoying but we wouldn't be aware, would we?

It would be a different matter if someone was not doing their job properly and had a 'couldn't be bothered' attitude (perhaps as in Cathy S posting over travel) then yes, you would definately have something to complain about.

I suppose you could flip it and say that you should be grateful you have a job even if you have to deal with people you feel are simply not up to your standards. If you were on a dole queue (which I have been)you may wish you had your job even if you felt people you worked with annoying.

Susan,

I did explain it. A pen v having a job...simple really, don't look a gifthorse in the mouth.

Be thankful for what you have and don't be selfish enough to ask for something else when you can do your job very well with the tools you have been given.

I would love a new pc in work, I would love a car-parking space but I don't whinge about it. I'm grateful to have a job so those things are not a priority.

This individual and others don't realise when they are well off. Griping about a pen made me think of standing in the dole queue when I didn't a job or a workplace to go to every day.

Some people have never been to the school of hard knocks, once you have, you are thankful for everything you have.

Like I said I could look over it if there were no pens in the cupboard, but that is not the case.

It's true, the more people have, the more they want or think they should have.

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General Discussion => Sound Off! => Topic started by: susan silva on December 17, 2009, 11:16:50 pm