Dealing With the Impact of COVID-19<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhile selling on a marketplace had allowed Inker Supply to reach customers quickly, it had not allowed them to emphasize the company\u2019s commitment to creating quality writing implements. Bark knew discerning customers all have their preferred pen designs, and with that in mind, Inker Supply met with manufacturers in Germany to start designing the perfect pen. But then COVID-19<\/a> became a full-blown pandemic. Concerned about the future, Bark flew home to formulate a plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFacing their disrupted supply chain head-on, the company decided to table new product development and instead focus on their current stock. Bark also identified new types of items to sell, like thermometers, while they awaited a return to business as usual. This pivot allowed them to grow business and expand their customer base while riding out the worst of the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The industry itself experienced a disruption as offices across the globe allowed employees to work from home. This initially generated a drop in demand for office supplies, until employees realized they may be working from home longer than a few weeks and would be in need of pens. As companies shifted to the new normal of remote work and as retail stores were affected by closures and social distancing, Inker Supply found that their online store could provide for the growing need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soon, Inker Supply was shipping more than ever. As orders became larger, the company needed more options than a USPS First Class padded envelope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting More for Less by Choosing UPS on ShipStation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nShipStation\u2019s UPS rates have helped Inker Supply save . \u201cWe reduced shipping costs 36.78% by being able to add UPS this year,\u201d explains Bark. Accessing UPS\u2019s discounted rates on the platform was simple\u2014all Inker Supply had to do was log into their ShipStation account. Plus no minimum shipping volume was needed. Not only were their packages delivered reliably and with competitive rates, they also noticed they were paying fewer surcharges. UPS from ShipStation helps merchants avoid certain surcharges, including the residential surcharge on ground packages, when they ship through the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In uncertain times, UPS allows Inker Supply to reach more customers more reliably and in more innovative ways. By October 2020, UPS will reach 90% of the U.S. population in three days, and 75% will have Saturday delivery. Demand for faster delivery is a growing trend, and UPS\u2019s network enhancements and weekend services provide ShipStation\u2019s merchants industry-leading choice, convenience, and speed to market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We reduced shipping costs 36.78% by being able to add UPS this year.”<\/p>-Allen Bark<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\u201cIt was an easy decision to go with UPS from ShipStation, as it provided affordable rates for ground packages,\u201d Bark explains. \u201cWe were also able to offer next day air options that we could not before.\u201d Inker Supply appreciates that they can focus on growing their business while UPS handles their shipping and logistical needs. No worries and no guesswork\u2014just simple shipping delivered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saving Time and Money on ShipStation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBark estimates that ShipStation has saved his business about $45,000 annually because of the discounted UPS<\/strong> rates<\/strong><\/a> he receives. While saving on shipping costs is a major advantage, it is not the only one. ShipStation believes creating shipping labels should not be a manual process. By using its intricate and robust automation rules, Inker Supply has saved time and money. \u201cAutomation rules<\/a> are the main thing I think people should know about ShipStation,\u201d Bark says. And it is hard to argue with that. When merchants spend less time dealing with shipping, they can spend more time doing what they love\u2014creating products for their customers and growing their business.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBark also appreciates the parallel he sees between his business and ShipStation\u2019s. Just as an \u201cinker\u201d is the artist who puts the finishing touches on the page of a comic book, filling in the spaces left by the writer and the penciler, ShipStation functions as the finishing touch to Inker Supply\u2019s workflow, helping organize shipments and deliver the final product to the customer. Which for Inker Supply makes ShipStation a hero in their book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Facing their disrupted supply chain head-on, the company decided to table new product development and instead focus on their current stock. Bark also identified new types of items to sell, like thermometers, while they awaited a return to business as usual. This pivot allowed them to grow business and expand their customer base while riding out the worst of the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The industry itself experienced a disruption as offices across the globe allowed employees to work from home. This initially generated a drop in demand for office supplies, until employees realized they may be working from home longer than a few weeks and would be in need of pens. As companies shifted to the new normal of remote work and as retail stores were affected by closures and social distancing, Inker Supply found that their online store could provide for the growing need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soon, Inker Supply was shipping more than ever. As orders became larger, the company needed more options than a USPS First Class padded envelope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting More for Less by Choosing UPS on ShipStation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nShipStation\u2019s UPS rates have helped Inker Supply save . \u201cWe reduced shipping costs 36.78% by being able to add UPS this year,\u201d explains Bark. Accessing UPS\u2019s discounted rates on the platform was simple\u2014all Inker Supply had to do was log into their ShipStation account. Plus no minimum shipping volume was needed. Not only were their packages delivered reliably and with competitive rates, they also noticed they were paying fewer surcharges. UPS from ShipStation helps merchants avoid certain surcharges, including the residential surcharge on ground packages, when they ship through the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In uncertain times, UPS allows Inker Supply to reach more customers more reliably and in more innovative ways. By October 2020, UPS will reach 90% of the U.S. population in three days, and 75% will have Saturday delivery. Demand for faster delivery is a growing trend, and UPS\u2019s network enhancements and weekend services provide ShipStation\u2019s merchants industry-leading choice, convenience, and speed to market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We reduced shipping costs 36.78% by being able to add UPS this year.”<\/p>-Allen Bark<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\u201cIt was an easy decision to go with UPS from ShipStation, as it provided affordable rates for ground packages,\u201d Bark explains. \u201cWe were also able to offer next day air options that we could not before.\u201d Inker Supply appreciates that they can focus on growing their business while UPS handles their shipping and logistical needs. No worries and no guesswork\u2014just simple shipping delivered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saving Time and Money on ShipStation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBark estimates that ShipStation has saved his business about $45,000 annually because of the discounted UPS<\/strong> rates<\/strong><\/a> he receives. While saving on shipping costs is a major advantage, it is not the only one. ShipStation believes creating shipping labels should not be a manual process. By using its intricate and robust automation rules, Inker Supply has saved time and money. \u201cAutomation rules<\/a> are the main thing I think people should know about ShipStation,\u201d Bark says. And it is hard to argue with that. When merchants spend less time dealing with shipping, they can spend more time doing what they love\u2014creating products for their customers and growing their business.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBark also appreciates the parallel he sees between his business and ShipStation\u2019s. Just as an \u201cinker\u201d is the artist who puts the finishing touches on the page of a comic book, filling in the spaces left by the writer and the penciler, ShipStation functions as the finishing touch to Inker Supply\u2019s workflow, helping organize shipments and deliver the final product to the customer. Which for Inker Supply makes ShipStation a hero in their book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We reduced shipping costs 36.78% by being able to add UPS this year.”<\/p>-Allen Bark<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was an easy decision to go with UPS from ShipStation, as it provided affordable rates for ground packages,\u201d Bark explains. \u201cWe were also able to offer next day air options that we could not before.\u201d Inker Supply appreciates that they can focus on growing their business while UPS handles their shipping and logistical needs. No worries and no guesswork\u2014just simple shipping delivered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bark estimates that ShipStation has saved his business about $45,000 annually because of the discounted UPS<\/strong> rates<\/strong><\/a> he receives. While saving on shipping costs is a major advantage, it is not the only one. ShipStation believes creating shipping labels should not be a manual process. By using its intricate and robust automation rules, Inker Supply has saved time and money. \u201cAutomation rules<\/a> are the main thing I think people should know about ShipStation,\u201d Bark says. And it is hard to argue with that. When merchants spend less time dealing with shipping, they can spend more time doing what they love\u2014creating products for their customers and growing their business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bark also appreciates the parallel he sees between his business and ShipStation\u2019s. Just as an \u201cinker\u201d is the artist who puts the finishing touches on the page of a comic book, filling in the spaces left by the writer and the penciler, ShipStation functions as the finishing touch to Inker Supply\u2019s workflow, helping organize shipments and deliver the final product to the customer. Which for Inker Supply makes ShipStation a hero in their book.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSaving Time and Money on ShipStation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Save](\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/1746827\/4163ba01-4313-4316-99ec-5f8ec36cfcbb.png\")
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