Independent Stationers Overview

As the designated office supplies vendor for the U.S. Communities program, Independent Stationers, Inc. is here to give you an exceptional buying experience from beginning to end. We are an independent, dealer-owned cooperative with hundreds of dealers and locations nationwide, delivering flawless service and easy online ordering at competitive prices.

Compare Pricing: Request usage from your current office supplies vendor in order to receive a comprehensive pricing comparison from Independent Stationers. Click here for the format of the pricing comparison requirements.

Collectively, we operate on a single, state-of-the-art online procurement system, pool our buying power to deliver real savings, and provide free, next day delivery via the largest office products distribution network in the country. Individually, we support your needs with complete attention, because as your local business neighbors, your business matters to us. Together we’re able to keep money and jobs in our community.

We’ve got a fixed price contract on 1,300 quality core products and 28,000 non-core products. And our robust reporting system gives you the visibility you deserve and transparency you need to manage your purchasing process.

With Independent Stationers, you will enjoy honest and respectful service; easy, empowering technology; great prices on a consistent basis; all supported with deep product knowledge to help you make the best business decisions. And on top of it all, you’re supporting Main Street, not Wall Street – something we can all feel good about.

Independent Stationers Pricing

• Fixed pricing on over 28,000 items
• Save up to 86% off List Price on some office products
• Discounted Full-Line, Office Essentials, Green Supplies, Janitorial Supplies, Multi-Purpose Paper and Toner

Independent Stationers Benefits

• Save up to 86% on over 28,000 competitively priced, name-brand products
• Choose from 1,300 core and 28,000 non-core items at discounted prices
• Rely on consistent, nationwide pricing
• Have a choice of many HUB brands
• Get free, next-day delivery
• Support a local business, build your community
• Enjoy great personal service from someone you know and trust
• Experience convenient online shopping
• Be environmentally conscious with alternative “green products” that are automatically suggested
• Manage more effectively with online measurement and reporting tools

Independent Stationers Shipping

• Free delivery with personalized service for orders placed by 4:00pm local time will be delivered next-day.
• We do this by utilizing 31 dedicated distribution centers and hundreds of independent dealers.

Independent Stationers Contract Information

Independent Stationers FAQ

Independent Stationers/U.S. Communities agreement is for 3 years with 2 optional one-year renewals, effective September 1, 2010.

Located in Indianapolis, Indiana and founded in 1977, Independent Stationers, Inc. is the most progressive office products dealer group in the world. Independent Stationers and its dealer network work together for the common goal of providing excellent business solutions, outstanding customer care and exceptional local support to its customer base.

United Stationers provides eCommerce capabilities and order fulfillment for Independent Stationers. United Stationers is the premier wholesaler in the office supply industry. They have 31 distribution centers strategically located nationwide.

U.S. Communities has analyzed over $35 million in actual sales and the savings from Independent Stationers are significant. Your local Independent Stationers dealer can provide a complete pricing comparison based on your actual office supplies spend.

There are many benefits to having a contract with Independent Stationers:

• Local Support –Independent Stationers has a network of community based independent office supply dealers that currently service thousands of public and private agencies throughout the country.
• Service - U.S. Communities Participating Public Agencies will have the benefit of a local dealer who will provide local and personalized service to your agency.
• Delivery – Next day delivery will be provided by your community based dealer.
• Savings – An overall significant savings and competitive pricing will be offered because of Independent Stationers’ aggregated buying power.
• Ordering - World class eCommerce solution with advanced intuitive search capabilities, easy administration and purchasing controls.
• National - A national distribution, delivery and support network.
• Local - An opportunity to support local business, create local jobs and enhance the local tax base.
• Ease of transition – U.S. Communities members will have a seamless transition from their current supplier to Independent Stationers.

Yes, Independent Stationers will pay two types of rebates:

eCommerce Rebates will be paid out at the participant level and reset on a quarterly basis. Each calendar quarter the rebates will be calculated reviewing the previous calendars ordering activity. Utilizing the thresholds below, if the aggregate of the participant orders placed in that calendar quarter through the eCommerce tool meet or exceed one of the two thresholds, then appropriate rebate will be credited.

The eCommerce rebates are calculated based on net purchases (excluding taxes, shipping, and handling, less returns) and are paid in the form of a credit against future purchases. The rebate will be credited within 45 days at the close of any given quarter.

Every participant that places their orders online are automatically eligible for the eCommerce Rebates.

Volume rebates are paid at the participant level on an annual basis starting the month your first order is placed through the end of the calendar year. The volume thresholds are listed below and will be paid within 45 days from the close of the 12 month period.

All volume rebates are paid on net purchases (excluding taxes, shipping, handling, less returns) and are paid in the form of a check directly to the participating agency within 45 days of the end of any given calendar year, or 12 full months on the program, whichever is higher.

Yes. The Independent Stationers website uscommunities.isgroup.org offers a robust suite of features, including easy to use search capabilities, in-depth product information and detailed reporting features.

Independent Stationers has qualified and certifed independent dealers nationwide. Please email:
uscommunities@isgroup.org
or call 877-872-8599 to obtain your dealer contact information.

Yes, Independent Stationers’ dealer network offers free next day delivery nationwide.

Orders placed by 4:00pm local time will be delivered on the next business day with the exceptions of: special order items, large volume orders and backordered items. These exceptions will be delivered as they become available per the delivery description provided at the time of order placement.

Yes, Independent Stationers’ dealer network offers free shipping.

Independent Stationers’ dealers may qualify for Tier 1 individually. Independent Stationers is classified as a small business but does not qualify as a minority or woman-owned business.

To obtain a pricing comparison, please contact your local Independent Stationers Customer Care at 877-872-8599. Please have an excel spreadsheet with your current usage available.

Please contact Independent Stationers Customer Care at 877-872-8599 or by email at uscommunities@isgroup.org.

There are over 28,000 aggressively priced items that are offered under the U.S. Communities contract. These items represent the “best of the best” and the highest usage items used in an office enviroment today.

Independent Stationers How to Order

We appreciate the opportunity to support your office products needs and are excited to be a part of U.S. Communities.

Ordering is as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Complete the Online Enrollment Verification Form.
2. Independent Stationers will contact you to confirm enrollment details.
3. You are ready to go!

Questions? Call us at 877-872-8599!