January 31st, 2012

Check out our Facebook page for an invite to our 2012 Product Show Thurs. Feb.9th 5:30-7:30pm at Doneraki’s Mexican Restaurant 300 Gulfgate Mall
Houston, Texas.
Preview all the new products to help your office run smooth. ….and a free Mexican buffet with a margarita to boot!!

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December 15th, 2011

All of Us at City Office Supply wish you, your families, and friends, a wonderful Holiday Season!!

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November 11th, 2011

The true meaning of the Thanksgiving Holiday lies
in giving thanks for our country, family and friends.
City Office Supply’s team of office product professionals
highly value the relationship we have built with you,
our customers, and would like to thank you for the
continued confidence you have placed with us since 1950.
Please keep us informed of any special need in office
products, office furniture or printing you might have.
Have a Happy Holiday.
From All of us at
CITY OFFICE SUPPLY, INC.

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November 10th, 2011

Office Depot whistleblower David Sherwin has been diagnosed with
terminal prostrate and bone cancer and is on a course of pain management
and hormone therapy to maintain the quality of his life for
as long as possible, the OPI.net website reported last month.
Sherwin, 56, is a former senior account manager at Office Depot
and had in-depth knowledge of its U.S. Communities contract and
pricing plans.
Over the past three years, he has almost single-handedly run a
campaign to expose alleged price switching and overcharging in
Office Depot’s U.S. government contracts.
Due largely to Sherwin’s efforts, audits by municipal, school, county
and state auditors across the country have resulted in payment by
Office Depot of millions of dollars to settle allegations of overcharging
and other irregularities.
“One of my greatest disappointments is that U.S. Communities has
refused to get on the right side of history and publicly rebuke Office
Depot and refused to cut all contractual ties,” Sherwin said. “U.S.
Communities’ continued silence on this matter does nothing but
make them look as if they are hiding some dark secret,” he added.
In reflecting on his campaign, Sherwin paid tribute to various industry
organizations and individuals for their help and encouragement.
“I want to acknowledge the stalwart support that I have received
over the last three years from Proficiency Post, Diane Griffin, Rick
Marlette, Bob Mairena, Jerry Bircher, Chip Jones, Steve Danziger,
Chris Bates, Grady Taylor, Mike Gentile, Bob Cetina, Steve Sterne
and countless other independent office supply dealers and government
officials,” he said.
Despite his terminal illness, Sherwin said he is not about to let up
in his campaign against Office Depot and indeed, he continues efforts
to raise awareness of the issue.
Last month, Sherwin called on the Detroit Public Schools Inspector
General’s office to publicly release its report that alleged $5.2 million
in overcharges on its office supply purchases through Office Depot
under the former U.S. Communities contract.
He also disclosed the City of Houston Auditor’s Office had informed
him they too are opening an investigative audit of Office Depot’s
performance under its contract with them.
“A person’s character will be judged in this world is not by how they
performed in the good times but how they meet adversity, how they
face insurmountable odds and did they in the end struggle for that
which is right and justice. It is my hope that I will be remembered
as the person who did the right thing,” Sherwin said.
…from Nov.2011 Independent Dealer Magazine

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October 13th, 2011

10/13/11 Breaking News:
City of Houston to Open Pricing Fraud Audit/Investigation of Office Depot/U.S. Communities contract not honoring best price clause

City of Houston Controller’s Office-Auditors Office has informed whistle-blower David Sherwin that they are opening an investigative audit of Office Depot for pricing fraud/overcharging on the U.S. Communities contract. Dallas County has found $1.8 million in fraudulent billing and Detroit Public Schools has found $5.2 million in Office Depot vendor fraud. Dallas and Detroit found that Office Depot violated the requirement to provide the lowest-best price-most favored pricing to those agencies under the now discredited U.S. Communities agreement.

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August 31st, 2011

T’was the night before school started when all through the town, parents were cheering-a riotous sound!! By nine, kids were all washed & tucked into bed where memories of homework filled them with dread! New pencils, new folders, new notebooks too! New teachers, new friends – their anxiety grew! The PARENTS just giggled when they learned of this fright and shouted “GO TO BED!!!! IT’S A SCHOOL NIGHT! Pass this on to all parents cause “IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

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August 30th, 2011

We are honored to hear that City Office Supply has been named a finalist for the:
2011 Houston East End Chamber of Commerce Awards

In the category “Best Small Business”
…
The  winners will be announced live at the “Awards & Scholarship Celebration!”

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August 30th, 2011

DALLAS — Dallas County is negotiating with supply giant Office Depot to get back nearly $2 million that officials believe taxpayers were overcharged.

The findings were part of an audit released Monday. Officials say the county overpaid $1.8 million for office supplies between 2006 and 2009.

“It makes me angry; when somebody makes an agreement with me, I want them to follow through on that contract,” said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.

Dallas County had a price-match agreement with the company to get the lowest prices for products.

The audit showed that county taxpayers paid more for supplies than other cities across the country, including San Fransisco, where similar accusations were made against Office Depot.

The Bay City recently reached an agreement with the company. Office Depot paid San Francisco officials a $4.25 million settlement.

Dallas County is projecting a $27 million budget shortfall over the next year, and county officials say the money could be put to good use.

“It’s a big chunk of change,” said Jenkins. “It’s jobs, it’s services… it’s important.”

E-mail ccivale@wfaa.com

Click link to view full video news coverage: http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Dallas-County-says-it-was-ripped-off-by-office-giant-128645903.html

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August 10th, 2011

Five Ways to Get More Out of Your Back-to-School Shopping

We interrupt your summer siesta with this gentle nudge to remind you that the new school year is right around the corner. That’s right—get ready to juggle your kids’ school schedules, make sure homework gets done, and pack those lunches! And while you can’t prepare a year’s worth of their lunches ahead of time, you can prepare them with the school supplies they need for a new year of learning. Alright, hit the snooze button one last time—then take a look at these five things to keep in mind as you get ready for back-to-school shopping:

1. Take stock of your current inventory.

Buying brand-new school supplies every year can get costly. So before you head out the door with your back-to-school shopping list in hand, take a look at what you currently have and see what can be reused. You may be surprised how many back-to-school supplies just keep on going!

2. Look for durable, quality products.

School supplies can lead a pretty rough life. They get handled day in and day out, and there’s the constant traveling between home and school. That’s why you should consider school supplies that won’t wimp out, like the Avery Heavy-Duty Binder designed for durability, and reusable Avery Write-On Dividers that are built to last. Also, a quality backpack with a warranty might be a good investment even if it costs more in the event a strap or zipper breaks, advises GreatSchools™, a national non-profit organization.

3. Stock up and save on the basics.

When you shop for your back-to-school basics, consider buying in bulk, suggests ConsumerReport.org. Notebooks, paper, erasers, Avery HI-LITER® pens, and Avery Glue Stics are often sold in larger quantities that give you a lower price per product. Store a supply at home, or divvy up a large quantity and split the cost with other parents.

Many school supplies can also double as home office supplies, too. Look for products that can be shared by everyone in the family. For example, Avery Sticky Notes are great for writing quick reminders for school or home, and versatile Avery NoteTabs® can be used as a note, tab, or flag—all in one.

4. Make a difference with products that support your school.

Did you know schools have earned more than $1,000,000 from Box Tops coupons found on Avery school supplies? Box Tops coupons make it easy to support your school. Just clip and save these coupons from binders, dividers, labels, and more and your school can redeem them to earn cash for playgrounds, books, and other much-needed supplies and equipment.

5. Get the kids involved and make it fun.

Getting ready for a new school year doesn’t have to be a chore. Sit down with your kids to go over your family’s back-to-school shopping strategy, including setting a budget for new supplies. Teach them how to take care of their supplies, and create personalized labels to help them mark belongings they will take to school for easy identification should these items get misplaced. You can also show them how to “dress up” existing supplies with labels and stickers so they can decorate their items in their own style.

Wakey, wakey—time to get in gear and prepare for the school year. Now’s the time to be on the lookout for back-to-school specials, promotions, and coupons—and get your back-to-school shopping game on!

For more organization tips, join us on The Organization of Moms Facebook page.
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June 30th, 2011

Office Depot has agreed to pay the state of Colorado $412,000 following an investigation into allegations that the company overbilled more than 100 Colorado governmental agencies and nonprofits for office supplies between January 2006 and March 2009.

Office Depot sold the supplies to the Colorado entities under the auspices of the U.S. Communities purchasing cooperative.

According to the settlement, the Attorney General’s Office investigated allegations of improper practices related to the contract, including Office Depot moving customers to a higher-cost pay plan.

Following a year-long investigation, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers alleged that during the 2006-2009 timeframe, certain customers were placed on the higher-cost price plan without their knowledge or without a complete and accurate explanation of the price difference between the two plans.

Roughly 113 customers paid a total of $126,294 more than they would have on the lower-cost plan, Suthers alleged.

Under the agreement, Office Depot will pay $412,000 to the state of Colorado. Of that, $189,441 will be made to the customers who were put on the higher-cost plan.

The remaining $222,561 will be held in trust by the Attorney General to be used for reimbursement of the state’s costs and attorney’s fees in investigating the matter. It will also be used for consumer education, consumer fraud enforcement and antitrust enforcement.

Among specific provisions investigated were allegations that Office Depot violated the “most favored customer” pricing obligations and incorrectly or improperly applying contract discounts.

Office Depot denied any wrongdoing. The agreement states that the settlement is “not to be considered an admission of violation or liability…”

Office Depot spokesman Brian Levine said the firm was “pleased” to have resolved the matter “and continues to sell office supplies and services to public sector customers throughout…Colorado. Office Depot has proven time and again that public sector entities save substantial amounts of money through its programs.”

In June 2010, the Florida Attorney General’s Office reached a $4.5 million settlement with Office Depot regarding allegations that the company overcharged Florida agencies for office supplies.

In Colorado, customers included the cities of Colorado Springs, Alamosa, Cortez, Grand Junction, Cripple Creek and Manitou Springs. Other customers included Kit Carson , Morgan, and Ouray counties. School districts were also customers.

Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.

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