Buying office supplies in bulk at Mega isn't automatically cheaper per item - it depends on the product. Manilla folders get cheaper in bulk: a pack of 20 is $0.59 each, a box of 100 is $0.53 each, about a 10% saving. Crystalfile double capacity suspension files follow the same pattern: a pack of 10 is $5.48 each, a pack of 50 is $4.69 each, about 14% cheaper. Check the per-item price before assuming any bigger pack is the better deal - the saving isn't guaranteed on every product.
- Marbig manilla folders: $0.59 each in a pack of 20 ($11.88) vs $0.53 each in a box of 100 ($53.13) - about 10% cheaper in bulk.
- Crystalfile double capacity suspension files: $5.48 each in a pack of 10 ($54.78) vs $4.69 each in a pack of 50 ($234.41) - about 14% cheaper in bulk.
- Always divide pack price by quantity to check the real saving before you order.
- Count what you already have before ordering either way.
Is it cheaper to buy office supplies in bulk?
Often, but not automatically - the only way to know is to divide the pack price by the quantity and compare, product by product, rather than assuming a bigger pack always wins.
| Product | Pack | Price inc GST | Cost per item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marbig Manilla Folder Foolscap | Pack of 20 | $11.88 | $0.59 |
| Marbig Manilla Folder Foolscap | Box of 100 | $53.13 | $0.53 |
| Crystalfile Double Capacity Suspension File, Foolscap | Pack of 10 | $54.78 | $5.48 |
| Crystalfile Double Capacity Suspension File, Foolscap | Pack of 50 | $234.41 | $4.69 |
Both pairs here follow the pattern most people expect: buying more brings the per-item cost down, by 10% on the folders and 14% on the suspension files. That's real money on a large order, but it only pays off if you'll use the extra quantity.
Why bulk sometimes doesn't pay off
The per-item saving only matters if you use the full quantity within a reasonable time. A box of 100 folders bought for a 20-folder job just moves money from the shelf into a cupboard. Pricing also varies by product and supplier, so a discount on one item doesn't guarantee the same pattern on another - always check the actual numbers rather than assuming.
How to check before you order
- Find the pack price and the quantity in the pack.
- Divide price by quantity to get the real cost per item.
- Compare that figure across every pack size offered, not just two options.
- Only buy the quantity you'll realistically use - a lower per-item cost on stock that sits unused isn't a saving.
FAQ
Is it cheaper to buy office supplies in bulk?
Often, yes. Manilla folders are about 10% cheaper per item in a box of 100 versus a pack of 20, and Crystalfile double capacity suspension files are about 14% cheaper per item in a pack of 50 versus a pack of 10 - but check the specific product, as the pattern isn't guaranteed on every item.
How do I check if a bigger pack is actually cheaper?
Divide the pack price by the quantity inside to get a true cost per item, then compare that figure across pack sizes.
Does bulk buying always save money?
No. The per-item saving only counts if you use the full quantity. Stock that sits unused in a cupboard cancels out any discount.
What's the biggest bulk saving in this comparison?
Crystalfile double capacity suspension files, about 14% cheaper per item in a pack of 50 than a pack of 10.
One last thing
Mega Office Supplies is family owned and operated since 2008. Standard orders over $149 inc GST ship free (excludes bulky items and regional or remote areas).
