is office outlet legit Or scam? Reviews and complaints

 

What is Office Outlet?

Office Outlet is an online and brick-and-mortar retailer that sells office supplies, furniture, electronics and more. They operate both corporate stores and franchise locations across the United States and Europe.

With competitive prices on top brands like Herman Miller, Steelcase and HP, Office Outlet appeals to home offices and small businesses looking to outfit workspaces affordably. Their website and physical showrooms make shopping for work essentials convenient.

However, as a large retailer with multiple revenue streams, some consumers may question the legitimacy and quality of Office Outlet’s products and services. In this post, we’ll explore user reviews and common concerns.

Online Reviews & Ratings

Looking at Trustpilot, Office Outlet has a decent 3.8/5 star rating from over 4,600 reviews. Positives commonly note:

• Wide selection of branded goods at discount prices
• Fast free shipping for online orders
• Knowledgeable showroom staff to assist with large purchases

Negatives tend to involve issues like:

• Damaged or defective items requiring returns/refunds
• Inaccurate or missing order details causing delays
• Inconsistent customer service between stores/channels

Overall impressions are positive but not without some expected complaints.

Common Concerns Addressed

After reviewing discussion forums and analysing concerns, here is credibility assessment:

• Products are authentic – Office Outlet is an authorized distributor for name brands
• Goods may arrive damaged – Standard shipping risks, reasonable resolutions offered
• Pricing varies – Deals found, but inflated MSRPs used to imply better “discounts”
• Returns can be hassle – Policies provide flexibility, some complain for lack of effort
• Service varies – Centralized support works, local stores offer better personalized help
• Franchise qualities differ – Corporate oversight maintains minimum standards of care

No retailer pleases all, and policies aim for fairness which occasional humans botch.

BBB Accreditation & Rating

The Better Business Bureau shows Office Outlet lacks official BBB accreditation, denoting the company has not paid to undergo BBB oversight processes.

However, the BBB also does not report any unresolved complaints or unanswered inquiries about Office Outlet. Their profile exhibits a neutral rating and clean complaint history.

While accreditation adds credibility, lack thereof does not inherently imply issues, just absence of further screening. Available information portrays reasonable conduct.

FTC Compliance & Trust

No Federal Trade Commission actions or alerts target Office Outlet, indicating the operation complies with consumer protection laws.

Their parent company Oakcliffe invests in growing franchises ethically through strategic acquisitions and expansion. Regulatory adherence enhances long-term trustworthiness over fly-by-night upstarts.

Overall, transparency and accountability seem reasonably demonstrated through normal business activity rather than superficial accreditations alone.

Alternative Options Compared

For reliability-minded buyers, established competitors also exist:

• Staples – Long-time market leader with network of retail/commercial outlets
• Amazon – Huge selection but varying condition and returns more tedious
• Ducksoup Office – Online emporium with specialty/customization options
• Facility Source – Emphasis on contract-grade quality commercial furnishings

Yet Office Outlet fits between big box and boutique, balancing choices, prices and services for many typical home/SMB needs professionally.

Conclusion

In summary, available information suggests Office Outlet conducts its business legitimately while still working to improve customer experiences routinely.

Some complaints will always arise, yet most review data indicates they offer fair value on average. For general office supplies without demanding niche requirements, they fill a viable role competitively and compliantly in the market. Due diligence finds their reputation merits consideration when sourcing work essentials.