BY LIZ WITBECK
Owning a small business can be challenging,
especially when it competes with large
national companies. Seeley Office Systems
is one such business: a local office supply
company that understands what it takes to
remain competitive.
Seeley Office Systems is a family owned
business that has been based in Glens Falls
for more than 30 years. Tim Seeley left his
position at Xerox to start the company.
The business is now in its second generation,
with Tim Seeley Jr. as vice president
of sales. The company has a catalog of more than
40,000 office supplies.
Megan Reising, marketing
director for the company and fiancé
to Tim Seeley, said several employees have
worked there more than 10 years and have
the entire catalog memorized.
Customers aren’t going to get that kind of
expertise at a “big box” store, said Reising.
The company serves Washington, Warren,
and Saratoga counties and maintains long
term friendships with many customers. “We
have saturated this market. We know all the
customers by name,” said Reising.
Still, Reising is noticing some disturbing
trends in the office supply market.
“A trend we are noticing is that competitors
will start their products at a really low
price, almost a price that you can’t refuse,”
she said. “And then once they have you in,
they start increasing their prices. They do
it so small people usually don’t notice it is
happening.”
Reising said Seeley Office Systems maintains
stable prices on all of their items.
“What you see is what you get,” said Reising.
Since Seeley is unable to compete with
big box stores like W.B. Mason and Staples
on prices, they rely on building strong
relationships with customers. One of their
techniques is to use the same representative
to deliver products each time.
Seeley Office Systems offers a variety of
ways for customers to order products. For
customers who want convenience, online
ordering is an option. The company will
also send representatives to the client’s
location, where they can help customize a
list that will meet the client’s needs.
For customers who need their products
fast, Seeley offers overnight shipping.
“Our success comes from the loyalty
and the customer service we provide” said
Reising.
The company recently underwent a
marketing change, with a new logo being
unveiled for the business, said Reising.
Seeley can be reached at 793-5168. Its
website is www.seeleyoffice.com.
Photo Courtesy Seeley Office Systems