Case Study: How a Government Office Supplies Reseller Closed Inventory Gaps and Fixed Drop Shipping

A reseller’s business is only as strong as the inventory behind it. When customers ask for products you can’t source, or when orders stall in shipping, revenue walks out the door. This case study shows how one government reseller of office supplies, printer supplies, and medical inventory expanded its catalog, closed persistent inventory gaps, and solved its drop shipping problems by partnering with On Time Supplies.

If you resell to government agencies, schools, or businesses and need a supplier who can keep you stocked, this is the playbook.

The Company: A Government Reseller Ready to Expand

Tim Mandel is President and CEO of a company that resells office supplies, printer supplies, and medical inventory to government buyers. It didn’t start there. For years, the business sold one thing: toner and ink.

Tim and his leadership team knew a single-category catalog capped their growth. To strengthen the business and diversify revenue, they needed to expand.

”We were looking for office supplies and PPE. Our customers wanted those products, and we recognized a need we could fill. The next step was actually finding that inventory and getting it to the right places.”

The demand was real. The challenge was sourcing.

The Challenge: Too Many Vendors, Not Enough Reliability

Tim’s organization worked with dozens of vendors, but none could consistently deliver the two things his expanding business depended on: deep inventory and dependable shipping.

To avoid tying up cash and warehouse space in stock on hand, Tim relies on drop shipping. As orders grew across his new categories, his team was forced to scramble from vendor to vendor to assemble enough of what they needed. Even when quantities came together, shipping stayed a weak link.

The problems stacked up

• Fragmented sourcing. Filling a single order meant chasing inventory across multiple suppliers.
• Drop shipping failures. Products didn’t reach the right destinations reliably.
• Supply chain disruption. Backorder backlogs and shortages, worsened during the pandemic, made office PPE especially hard to find.
• Poor customer service. A lack of responsiveness left the team without answers when they needed them.

“I specifically wanted a supplier that could keep us stocked with hard-to-find products, and one that was able to drop ship things where they needed to go.”

The Solution: One Supplier for Inventory, Shipping, and Support

One of Tim’s sales representatives found On Time Supplies. It became a core vendor almost immediately.

“We have about three dozen vendors that we use on a regular basis. On Time Supplies is easily in the top 10 of those vendors in total. For a lot of products — food, paper, office supplies, janitorial supplies — they’re the first vendor we go to, every time.”

Three things made the partnership work

1. Deep, extensive vendor network. On Time Supplies could source whatever Tim and his customers were after, including the hard-to-find products that had stalled his growth.
2. Flexible, fast drop shipping. Products reached customers more quickly and accurately than his other suppliers could manage. See bulk ordering options.
3. Prompt, human customer support. Tim’s team got answers when they needed them, and help when it was called for.

“On Time Supplies is incredibly easy to work with. Miles responds quickly or immediately. Whether he has good news or bad, he never keeps us in the dark.”

The Results: A Bigger Catalog, More Customers, Less Friction

Before On Time Supplies, Tim’s business was limited to toner and ink. After, it became a larger, stronger, more diverse source of office, medical, and janitorial supplies, able to capture a bigger audience and serve them a wider range of products.

The partnership also removed the time-wasting and stress that came with juggling unreliable vendors.

“I love that I don’t need to price-shop all around. Once I’ve found something on their website, I know On Time Supplies has the best price and best shipping options available. It’s such a time-saver.”

The benefits Tim named

• Vast inventory in both scope and available quantities
• A simple, functional website that makes ordering easy
• Prompt, accurate delivery direct to customers
• Credit options and easy payments (see Net 30 business credit)
• A human customer support team that makes the work easier

“Miles and the folks at On Time Supplies go out of their way to work with us. Their pricing is competitive, and we can always get what we need. That’s why we enjoy and appreciate the chance to work with them.”

Why This Matters for Resellers and Procurement Teams

For resellers, government contractors, and procurement teams, the lesson is straightforward: consolidating around a supplier with deep inventory, reliable drop shipping, and responsive support frees you to sell more and manage less. Fewer vendors to chase means fewer gaps, fewer delays, and more time spent growing the business.

On Time Supplies stocks discount office supplies, printer and toner supplies, janitorial products, breakroom essentials, and more, with credit options and drop shipping built for buyers who resell and reorder.

Ready to close your inventory gaps? Explore government purchasing with On Time Supplies, set up bulk ordering, or apply for Net 30 business credit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does On Time Supplies offer drop shipping for resellers?

Yes. On Time Supplies provides flexible drop shipping that places products directly in customers' hands, which helps resellers minimize on-hand inventory and storage needs. It's a practical fit for reordering high-volume staples like copy and printer paper or janitorial and cleaning supplies.

Does On Time Supplies offer credit options and Net 30 terms?

Yes. On Time Supplies offers credit options along with easy payments. Business buyers can review the business credit application to simplify repeat ordering and larger procurement.

Can On Time Supplies supply hard-to-find products?

Through a deep, extensive vendor network, On Time Supplies is able to source hard-to-find products, including categories like office PPE and breakroom and food supplies that became scarce during supply chain disruptions.

What product categories does On Time Supplies carry?

Categories include office supplies, printer and toner supplies, janitorial supplies, breakroom supplies, office furniture, and bulk school supplies.