Benjamin Franklin said ‘the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten’ – and his words remain true more than 200 years later. So often people will shop around for an essential item and be lured by the price tag, thinking that they’re making a huge saving, when in actual fact what they’re not taking into account is what the long-term costs of buying ‘cheap’ may be.

A good example is the fact that many stationery or office supplies stores now sell water coolers, bottled water and water cooler care kits. It might seem convenient to shop for all your office supplies in one place, but the decision-making process regarding the quality of a water cooler and the many health and productivity benefits it brings to your employees is very different to the decision-making process required when selecting office paper or printer cartridges – and if you did need assistance with regards to what water solution would be ideal for your office, the chances of the sales person being an expert on water coolers and what would best suit your needs is slim.

Apart from what might seem convenient, people are also often attracted to the price tag – water coolers, bottled water or even hygiene kits may be cheaper at one of these stores, but at this point it’s wise to remember Franklin’s words ‘the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price’. Something that might cost you less today will more than likely cost you more tomorrow.

What happens when the water cooler needs a service or it breaks and needs repairing – have you taken into account the cost of servicing, or exorbitant call out fees and repairs? How about the water bottles – are they reusable and once their life span is complete, do you know if they’re being recycled responsibly by the supplier? And what of the water cleaning kits – are they doing a proper job of sanitising the machine or is the hygiene questionable?

Choosing a reputable supplier like AquAid might seem more expensive initially, but their level of expertise and service is unsurpassed; all costs are included in the rental agreement, so there are no nasty surprises down the road; they care about their carbon footprint so all products are recycled responsibly; they deliver high-quality products at all times; and they are also socially responsible – a percentage of sales is donated to Christian Aid and the Africa Trust. It’s a win-win situation, so spend wisely today and save tomorrow – call AquAid on 0800 772 3003 to find out more.