ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ASKED MOST OFTEN:
DO I ONLY HAVE TO BUY FROM THE NATIONAL VENDORS THAT ARE ON YOUR LIST?
It makes sense to buy products together with other OFFICE 1 stationers. The more we buy together the same items, the lower the prices will be for the whole group.
DO I HAVE TO BUY OFFICE 1 BRANDED PRODUCTS?
Yes, it is a requirement for being a member of the group and OFFICE 1 franchise. These good quality, low priced items help you establish the OFFICE 1 name and give you a unique identity, and image. They are also very colorful and attractive on the shelf and make shopping at an OFFICE 1 store a special experience. By buying these products together, all the OFFICE 1 stationers enjoy purchasing economies and lower prices.
WHAT DO I DO WITH MY OLD PRODUCT ASSORTMENT?
You continue to sell the products that sell well for you and slowly substitute our OFFICE 1 products and other brands in our catalogue. Eventually you will arrive at an ideal assortment.
DO I HAVE TO FOLLOW THE PRICING OF OFFICE 1 MASTER FRANCHISE?
No, at retail you are free to adopt whatever prices suit you in your specific area since you know your local market better than we do. However, you use the OFFICE 1 catalogue with listed prices, and you should offer these prices to your customers.
CAN I OPEN A SECOND STORE?
You can open as many stores as you want in your territory. Please note, there will be a reduced monthly fee charged for each additional store added.
CAN OTHER OFFICE 1 STATIONERS SELL IN MY TERRITORY?
No, you have exclusive right to your territory and no one but you can mail catalogues and flyers in your area.
DO I NEED TO HAVE A SERVICE (BUSINESS) CENTER?
If there are many copy centers in your territory it is not necessary. However, it is advisable to have a small service center as these are profitable and draw in customers.
CAN I CANCEL THE CONTRACT AT ANY TIME?
The agreement is for three years, and is renewable at no additional fee. You can cancel at any time so long as you stop using the OFFICE 1 name, and you also will lose the right to receive our catalogues and flyers.
WHAT DOES THE INITIAL FEE COVER?
The initial fee covers the cost of your initial training as well as the rights to the OFFICE 1 brand in your exclusive territory. This includes:
- A one week training period at OFFICE 1 headquarters where all members of your staff will be trained by OFFICE 1 experts.
- Continual training by OFFICE 1 staff at your store until the launch of the store. Travel expenses incurred by OFFICE 1, as well as effort and time of employees are included in the fee.
- The right to the OFFICE 1 brand name, software, catalogue, website and vendor's database.
WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY A MONTHLY SERVICE FEE?
A monthly service fee is charged to all franchises to cover the expense of maintaining a Purchasing Department to improve assortment and prices and for your share of advertising and the cost of creating exciting and colorful new promotional material such as flyers and catalogues and for the maintenance of our web site etc.
WHAT IS THE TRAINING PROGRAM OFFERED BY OFFICE 1?
We will make available our special training program in our Master Franchise headquarters training facilities. We will also visit you to help you redesign your store and train your staff.
DO I HAVE TO REDO MY STORE FROM SCRATCH?
No, we will work with your existing assortment and fixtures, however, we will require that you install the required OFFICE 1 signage in your store and facade to establish an OFFICE 1 identity. We also require a small cabinet and wall fixture. We estimate that the total investment can be as low as 5,000 USD plus an initial initiation fee for joining the group which will be determined by OFFICE 1.
HAS THE OFFICE 1 TRADEMARK BEEN REGISTERED IN MY AREA?
Yes, it is registered nationally and is being monitored closely by us to watch for fraud. Our website is also registered.
CAN I RECOMMEND OTHER STATIONERS TO JOIN OFFICE 1?
You are welcome to recommend any qualified stationer to join our group. There will be a cash gift to you as a sign of our gratitude for recommending someone to join OFFICE 1.
WHAT SIZE TERRITORY WILL YOU ASSIGN ME?
We will decide together on a specific territory for you to satisfy your needs. Typically it includes at least one thousand companies as your potential market.
WHAT IF I HAVE STORES SCATTERED IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS?
We will review together specific territories for each one of these stores.
WHO IS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF OFFICE 1 IN MY COUNTRY AND HOW TO CONTACT HIM?
Check our page with the list of all Master Franchises: link