How Local Are You?

I recently read an article in a Memphis newspaper about how peole are going further and paying extra to keep their money in Memphis.  As an Austinite, are you doing that?  Are you going to a local coffee shop, like Cafe Mundi, instead of a Starbuck’s?  Are you using a local hardware store, like Breed and Company instead of going to The Home Depot?  Is your company using a local office supply company, like Convenience Office Supply and Interiors instead of Office Depot or Staples?

If you’re not buying locally, why aren’t you?  Is it convenience, price, name recognition?  Remember, that for every $100 spent with a local business, $68 stays in the community as opposed to $43 with a chain store.  So that extra money helps pay for education, police, firemen (and women), services for you.

Help Keep Austin Weird and keep your money in Austin.  Buy locally.

Extreme Non-Profit Office Makeover Nears Closing

If you are a non profit or have a favorite non profit, don’t forget to submit an entry to our Extreme Office Makeover for Non Profits.  In conjunction with The HON Company, we are offering $20,000 worth of office furniture to an Austin area non profit.  This includes a reception desk, chairs and table, a conference table, 6 chairs and credenza and an executive office. 

Think of this as a way to show the people who reach out to help children, women, animals, families, the homeless, runaways and so many more, just how much they mean to you.  Nominate a charitable organization for this professional upgrade.

For full details, including entry form and rules, please go to www.cosapromo.com.

Remember to support Austin’s economy & buy local!

Nominate Your Favorite Non-Profit for an Office Makeover

Convenience Office Supply and Interiors with The HON Company is giving away $20,000 worth of office furniture, including an executive office, reception furniture and a conference room table and chairs.  There is absolutely, no catch. It is free.  Just go to www.cosapromo.com and follow the links to nominate the non-profit of your choice.

The website has all the rules and requirements, like it must be in the Austin, Texas area, it cannot be a home based non-profit, yada, yada.  The entries will be judged by an impartial panel, including someone from The HON Company.

You do not have to buy anything to enter or to win.  If you’re a non-profit, nominate yourself and get everyone else in the office to do the same.  If you’re a for profit business, send in an entry for your favorite charity.  It costs nothing!!!

To see the furniture, visit our website, www.cosapromo.com or come by our showroom at 2209 Donley Dr, Suite A, Austin, Texas.

Remember, support Austin and central Texas, Buy Locally.

Summer Drinks to Beat the Heat

Here it is the first of June and we are already hitting the 100 degree mark in Austin, Texas.  There is no telling what July and August will be like.  So the question today is;  What is your favorite summer drink?  I tend to go for water because it’s refreshing and leaves no after taste.  There must be other people who agree with me because we are selling a lot of regular water, but also, LaCroix flavored waters.  Convenience Office Supply and Interiors stocks a full line of LaCroix waters, including grapefruit, lime and lemon.

However, there are still those people who must have their soft drinks–be it Coke, Dr. Pepper or Sprite.  We have those in a wide range of flavors–caffeine free, diet, diet wild cherry, you name it, we have it.  Then you have the whole gamut of fruit juices–orange, apple, tomato as well as lemonades.

Finally, we come to the Texas stand by–iced tea.  Do you prefer your ice tea from a can, made fresh from tea bags, or using a Keurig machine?  It’s so easy to keep a pitcher of iced tea in the fridge, ready when you are.  But now comes the trend of iced coffee–a great way to get the coffee taste and still beat the heat.  If you have a Keurig machine, it’s as easy as 1(brew the coffee), 2 (put a lot of ice in the glass) 3 (drink and enjoy).  For recipes for a cool down from the summer heat, click here!

So whether you’re a water drinker, soda, or coffee–just drink a lot to beat the Texas heat.

As always, support Austin and central Texas, Buy Locally.

Combat Identity Theft

For so many of us, identity theft has not been an issue, fortunately.  However, it is a significant problem for many people and any one of us could be the next victim.  There are some very simple ways to combat identity theft. 

• Shred personal information such as bank statements or unsolicited credit card offers.
• Regularly monitor your credit card and bank statements .
• Make sure no one is watching or listening when you disclose personal information.
• Order a current credit report at least once every two years. Although this is one of the most effective ways to ensure that no one is misusing your credit, only half of Americans do this.

So many of use the computer in our daily lives, paying bills, ordering merchandise, doing our banking and much more.  Here is a list of just 6 ways to keep your identity safe on your computer.

• Update virus protection software regularly, including patches for your operating system.
• Use a firewall program to stop hackers from taking over your computer, especially if you use a broadband Internet connection.
• Don’t open files, download programs or click on links sent to you by strangers. Confirm strange emails from friends and family before opening them or clicking on included links.
• Use a secure browser that encrypts or scrambles information you send during online transactions. Update your browser when a new version is released to make sure you have the latest security protection.
• Use a complex combination of letters and numbers as a password to access financial information stored on your laptop.
• Before disposing of your computer, use a ‘wipe’ utility program or shredding software to overwrite the hard drive or remove it and physically destroy it. Even erased or deleted files can be retrieved.

When thinking about protecting your identity, think about investing in a Fellowes shredder–not only at home but at work as well.  Use a screen protector at work or when traveling, 3M and Fellowes both make excellent privacy filters.  Be proactive and save yourself a lot of time and misery.

Remember to support Austin’s economy–Buy Locally

Top Ten Reasons to Buy From Convenience Office Supply and Interiors

Everyone has a Top 10 list these days–so here is ours.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy from Convenience Office Supply and Interiors

 

10.  Free Next Day Delivery

9.    Competitive Pricing

8.   Friendly, Helpful Delivery Drivers

7.   Can Place Orders by Phone, Fax, Email or Online

6.   Full Line of Office Supplies–over 25,000 Items Delivered Next Day

5.   Single Source for All your Office Needs

4.   Dedicated, Professional Sales Representatives

3.   Experienced, Resourceful Customer Service Representatives

2.   Regular Suggestions on How You Can Save Money

and the Number One Reason to Buy From Convenience Office Supply and Interiors

1.   Your Money Stays in Austin–Buy Locally  

 

Memorial Day Facts

As we all look forward to a long weekend, unless you go to an Austin school and have class on Monday, please take a moment to remember why we observe this holiday.  It was first observed in May, 1868 to honor the fallen soldiers of the War between the States.  Since that time, it has come to be a day to recognize all of the brave men and women who have lost their lives in service to our country.

In 1915, the idea of the red poppy was introduced in a poem by Moina Michaels.  She began wearing a red poppy and selling them to friends and associates with the proceeds going to help servicemen in need.  Flags are flown at half mast, but only until noon, when they are then flown at full mast.  My own mother growing up in the early part of the last century spent every Memorial Day at the cemetary having a picnic near the family plot. On Memorial Day, please take a moment at 3pm to say a private thanks to those who have served The United States, often in perilous times, to help us maintain our freedoms.

Convenience Office Supply and Interiors would like to thank the veterans who work here; Bill, Dwight and Gene.  We appreciate the service.

Gifts for You

As many of you already know, if you order on line from Convenience Office Supply and Interiors, you have an opportunity to receive a gift!!! Yea!–we all love gifts.  

So how do you decide which gift you want?  Depending on the size of your order, you are eligible for one of 3 gifts.  If you reach the top level, you can choose any one of the gifts–but you need to make the choice.

How to pick the gift you want–on the left side of the screen is a box that tells you what the lowest level gift is–and how much you need to spend to reach the next level.  Click on next level, and it takes you to the list of all the possible gifts.

What’s in store for you starting Monday the 16th? 

Well, as a concession to allergy season, we have a purse (or briefcase) size hand sanitizer–perfect for when you’re traveling, having business meetings, etc.

For those of y’all with a flair, try the set of 5 color Zazzle markers.  They’ll make any report more eye catching.

Last, but never least, for your sweet tooth we have a choice of cookies.  Small packages so everyone in the office can share.

So remember to place your order on line, choose your gift and buy locally.  Support Austin and central Texas.

FSSI, America’s Choice and more

Forgive me for not updating the blog recently–things are crazy.  As many of you know, we have several new programs.  For those of you who work for local governments and schools in the Austin and central texas region, we have America’s Choice.  This is a joint purchasing agreement with Bernalillo County in New Mexico–saves the hassle and expense of creating a RFP.

Now–for federal entities.  Convenience Office Supply and Interiors is an authorized distributor on a FSSI contract (Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative).  So we can service all federal and military offices in central Texas and Austin.

Finally, we are a preferred provider for Premier Contract SD-MM-008.  This allows us to provide office supplies to those health professionals who are members of Premier.  If you’re not a member, we can help you become one.

For more information on any of these programs, please contact Karen Bogart at karenbogart@cosainc.com

Remember, support Austin, Texas and buy locally.

New Gifts Online at Convenience Office Supply and Interiors

We’ve just updated our gifts with an online purchase with some great new items and an old favorite.  To be eligible for these gifts, you must order online–so if you don’t have a login, please email Krisann at krisann@cosainc.com and she’ll get you one.

Our first new item is from Tombow–an Ergo Correction Tape made of over 50% recycled materials (trying to keep Earth Day going for a little longer).  This is a great new product and available online.The mid level item is from Pentel, a beautiful EnerGel Alloy RT pen in pink–just the right touch to brighten up your office. 

Finally, we have 1 lb of Starbuck’s French Roast coffee–always a favorite.

Remember, when you place your order, the panel on the left will tell you how much you need to order to get a free gift.  Different size orders earn different gifts–so always check your other levels link.  We change the gifts every month to tempt you with new products and always a little treat for the office.

Always–Keep Austin Weird and Buy Locally.