Frequently asked questions
  • 1 How can I become a Customer?
    • Just call 01509 235888 or click here to complete the New Customer Registration Form to get started. As a new customer, you will be assigned an account manager and he or she will sit down with you to discuss your business and all the details of your account - your reporting needs, statements, delivery requirements, core products, system needs, eCommerce preferences and much more.

  • 2 What happens after the implementation meeting?

    • Based on this meeting, your account will be set up to your bespoke specifications; your reporting needs, statements, delivery requirements, core products, system needs, eCommerce preferences and much more. You and your colleagues can then start enjoying the benefits of working with Whittaker Office Solutions.

  • 3 What are your hours?

    • Your dedicated team is available 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our OpenBox online store is also available 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

  • 4 What kind of training do your customer service personnel receive?

    • Our customer service advisors receive extensive training in products, procedures, systems and service expectations before they ever pick up the phone. In addition, all customer service advisors receive regular ongoing training. This allows our sales and customer service departments stay abreast of the latest products, systems and offers to streamline the sales process benefiting both ourselves and the customer.

  • 5 Will I always reach a live person?

    • Yes, we understand that people like dealing with people and you will always talk to a live member of your team every time you call during operating hours. If you need to contact us outside of office hours please send any enquiries to sales@whittakeroffice.co.uk and we will deal with your enquiry as soon as possible.

  • 7 How quickly will my team resolve my issue?

    • The majority of queries are resolved during your call, which will be answered in 15 seconds or less, and will average less than three minutes. If the query cannot be resolved whilst the caller is on the line, you will be advised of the timescale within which we will call back and the contact name of the administrator is confirmed. Timely response is very important to us, so our Corporate Customer Services personnel guarantees return calls within two hours of customer queries.

  • 8 Who do I call if I have a question about my account?

    • Your dedicated Account Manager is the person to contact for all your account management needs. Depending on the complexity of your account, you may also be supported by Sales Executives to help you on a daily basis.

    For day-to-day order queries, your dedicated sales team are best suited to respond quickly to issues such as order placement, product selection, order status, pricing questions, checking stock levels, or handling collections, credits and special service requirements.

  • 9 What kinds of regular communication with my Account Manager can I expect?

    • Your Account Manager will communicate with you regularly about updates to online ordering, new product launches or promotions from suppliers. You can also expect to have regular formal business reviews to discuss all areas of your account. If there is anything you require at any point please get in touch with your account manager or our sales team and we will be happy to help.

  • 10 Will I always receive my order next business-day?

    • Due to our industry-leading distribution and delivery system, if you place your order by 5 p.m., it will be delivered next business day (in the UK mainland). The lead times for different furniture ranges vary depending on the product. For more information about lead times on furniture items please call our Furniture sales team on: 01509 243878 or e-mail us at sales@whittakeroffice.co.uk

  • 11 What is your internal process for fulfilling my order?

    • We manage your order every step of the way from order entry to receipt. Product is picked and packed at our Loughborough Distribution Centre. Orders are then sent out on our own liveried vans for local and regional delivery.

  • 13 How do I process a collection?

    • If you need to return an item, simply call your dedicated sales team to arrange for a collection, and a driver will be dispatched to pick up the item with the Collection Note. In any case, your return will be credited to your account.

  • 14 What are the benefits of online ordering?

    • Online ordering is the fastest and most cost effective way to purchase office supplies. In addition, our Openbox online store will be bespoke to your business needs in a way that a paper catalogue can't. The product selection, online reporting, approval routing, billing requirements and much more - all of your specifications will be enabled on Openbox.

  • 15 What products and services do you provide?

    • Office Supplies, Office Interiors and Furniture, Business Machines and Computer consumables, Facility Supplies, Workwear, Business Gifts and Print Management. We can supply over 35,000 products on a next day delivery service throughout the UK.

  • 16 Do you have an environmental policy?

    • Yes, Whittaker Office Solutions has an ongoing commitment to ensure we minimize or eliminate altogether any adverse impacts our company may have on the environment. Whittaker Office Solutions adopts an environmentally friendly programme, which includes:

    • Minimizing, re-using and recycling all materials wherever practical
    • Promoting recycled products in our catalogue
    • Free of charge collection of empty toners and inkjet cartridges
    • Waste paper collection service
    • Ensuring all staff are kept aware of our environmental policy
    • Vans equipped with an EcoMeter, reducing engine emissions.
    • Free of charge collection of empty toners and inkjet cartridges

    How green do you want to be? Whittaker Office Solutions can tailor your order process to automatically switch to recycled or environmentally friendly alternatives.

  • 21 Can I track my spend? i.e paper spend year to date?

    • Whittaker Office Solutions offer a wide range of reports to allow you to keep track of your spend. We can also regularly review your purchasing habits to highlight any cost savings or methods of improving efficiency.

  • 22 How do I work out the price I am paying from the catalogue?

    • Due to our environmental policy we only print one standard catalogue which features Recommended Retail Prices. All our customers will receive discounts on selected ranges within our Bigalogue catalogue, and therefore we recommend you log in to our OpenBox online store to view your current NETT prices. For further information on discounts please contact your account manager to see how discounts can be tailored for you.

  • 23 Does using compatible cartridges invalidate my warranty?

    • One question we are often asked by customers is whether the supplier of the inkjet printer may void a warranty because the consumer used a compatible ink. The answer is no, they may not do this. They work and will save you money.

  • 24 Do you deliver outside of the UK?

    • We do not currently deliver our core lines outside of the UK. However please let us know any delivery requirements you require and we can arrange tailored delivery solutions.

  • 26 When do you invoice?

    • Whittaker Office Solutions invoice twice a month as a rule but we can do monthly & consolidated invoices should you require. We also do credit twice a month as our company policy.

Online Office Products Catalogue

Click more info to see our online Office Products catalogue.

More info