Office Desks

Virco Mfg. Corporation

Guide to Office Desks

Present a professional image, from reception desks to executive desks
By W. Eric Martin

	Executive Desks Decisions The web sites of the big online office supply stores are good starting points to survey office-desk choices. Check business liquidators for bargains on large numbers of office desks. Take an office desk for a test-sit before you buy to make sure it is ergonomically right.

It's hard to find a more basic piece of work furniture than an office desk. But desks come in almost infinite variety - from executive desks to reception desks to pods -- with price tags to match. Setting up a new office and want to buy a high-quality desk affordably? Or do you need to buy a group of desks for employees? Before you choose the least expensive desks, make sure they're going to be durable and ergonomically sound. A cheap desk is not a deal if it breaks your back or falls apart. By outfitting your business with good office desks you can:

1. Have a workspace that's exclusively yours and help make your employees productive.
2. Maintain good ergonomic health.
3. Project a professional image to your employees and customers.

Action Steps on Buying Office Desks

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Ask for quotes on office desks To get a feel for what's available - and sate your desk desires with little effort - have vendors respond to your needs.

I recommend:  BuyerZone.com has a ten-question survey to get you started. Indicate the type of office desks you want, your price range, your desired materials, delivery date and more. Up to four local vendors will answer your request. Respond B2B offers a similar service.

Shop where the office desks are Big-box office supply stores are everywhere, and in addition to paper and pens, they sell a wide range of office desks, both functional and decorative, from executive desks on down.

I recommend:  Before you make a trip, check out the office desk selection online at Office Depot, Staples and Office Max. For inexpensive office desks, plus an online space planner and delivery services, try Ikea's 'For Your Business' pages. Find specialty sites for computer furniture and workstation furniture on Business.com.

Watch for liquidation sales Pick up cheap executive desks, office desks or reception desks from going-out-of-business sales.

I recommend:  Their loss can be your gain. Check National Content Liquidators (which handles surplus hotel goods), American Merchandise Liquidators (which sells truckloads of furniture) and Liquidation.com (an eBay-style site in which you can bid on liquidation lots). Many liquidators, such as Office Liquidation Center in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and Jack's Warehouse in the greater Miami area, sell only locally, so check your Yellow Pages for liquidators.

Check with movers for surplus office desks When a business goes bust, it needs to move its possessions out of the building, which brings moving companies into the picture, some of which sell liquidated goods on their own.

I recommend:  Find movers near you through MoversDirectory.com or the Yellow Pages.

Buy used office desks online If you only need one office desk or two, a search of the obvious online sites always yields good finds. Specialist firms sell used office furniture, as well.

I recommend:  Find furniture for sale in your local area by searching the closest Craig's List or eBay. Used office-desk vendors are listed on Business.com.

Keep your eyes open Unfinished furniture stores are good sources for an office desk for a home-based business (and for bookshelves, tables, chairs, etc.). If you really want to save money, try a Salvation Army store, a local used furniture store or even a garage sale.

I recommend:  To find an unfinished office desk online, try #1 Unfinished Furniture, Pop's Unfinished Furniture or Unfinished Furniture Expo. You can also try unusual carpentry programs - look for a voc-tech high school workshop or one at your state's prison. The New Hampshire Correctional Industries teaches inmates skills they can use after being released, including furniture building. If you purchase these models, you get a great story to tell along with your executive desks!

Take it for a test-sit No matter how much you feel like a bigshot trying out executive desks, if you can't work comfortably, you won't be productive.

I recommend:  Test the desk to see whether it's ergonomically sound. A good office desk should include a keyboard shelf so that your forearms can be level while you type, and the monitor should be high enough that you can look straight at it. Look for desk dimensions if you're buying online.  Find ergonomic furniture dealers at Business.com.

Tips & Tactics to Select the Right Office Desk

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Make sure desk drawers open and close smoothly while empty and while weighted down. Check how far they slide out to make sure you can use most of the space.
• The edges of office desks show the most wear, so test them (carefully) to see whether they resist chipping.
• Choose a non-reflective surface to reduce glare and eyestrain from office desks.
• When assessing executive desks, look for a top with deep overhang so everyone will have room for their legs in a conference.