Quill Review
Staples' B2B-only platform — dedicated business account managers, low free shipping threshold, and no consumer distractions
Last reviewed: 2026-05-26 · By GBBR Editorial Team
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Our Top Pick · Silver Tier
Quill
Free plan available
The Bottom Line
Quill is a Staples-owned B2B office supply platform that operates independently with its own catalog, pricing, and dedicated account management — earning a Silver tier rating for its business-first focus, $45 free shipping threshold (lower than Staples), and account managers who specialize in SMB supply relationships. Founded in 1956 in Chicago and acquired by Staples in 1998. Best for SMBs who want a dedicated B2B supply relationship with personal account management without navigating a retail-focused site.
What is Quill?
Quill.com was founded in 1956 in Chicago, IL by Jack Miller as Reliable Corporation — one of the original mail-order office supply companies. Staples acquired Quill in 1998 for $685M. Despite being Staples-owned, Quill operates as an independent B2B platform — it has its own catalog, pricing (often different from Staples.com), dedicated account managers, and is positioned exclusively at business buyers. Quill's value proposition is personalization: dedicated account managers who know their clients' recurring supply needs, check in proactively, and negotiate pricing on high-volume categories.
What does Quill offer?
Full business supply catalog: paper, ink/toner, cleaning and breakroom, furniture, tech accessories, promotional items, safety. Lower free shipping threshold: free delivery on orders $45+. Dedicated account manager assigned to every business account. Price matching on identical items. Net-30 payment terms for qualified businesses. Quill Rewards: 5% back on cleaning/breakroom purchases. Bulk and recurring order discounts. Business credit available. Auto-reorder for recurring supply needs.
Business account (free)
$0
/year
Is Quill worth the price?
$45 free shipping threshold (lower than Staples' $50) and dedicated account manager — valuable for SMBs who want white-glove supply management without Amazon's self-service model
Quill's pricing is comparable to Staples (they're the same parent company) but the dedicated account manager and $45 free shipping threshold make it the better choice for SMBs who want a relationship rather than a transactional purchase model.
Good valueHow we scored it
Overall score: 74/100
Comparable to Staples pricing (same parent company); dedicated account manager can negotiate on high-volume categories; price matching available
Full business supply catalog; narrower selection than Amazon Business; focused on traditional office supplies vs. Amazon's everything-store model
Free delivery on orders $45+ — lower than Staples ($50) and Office Depot ($50)
Dedicated account manager, net-30 terms, auto-reorder for recurring needs, business credit, Quill Rewards 5% back on cleaning/breakroom
Standard next-day delivery in most markets; no same-day in-store option — online-only model
Standard 30-day return window; mail-back returns (no in-store option); account manager handles disputes directly
Why Quill is Silver Tier
Quill earns Silver because its B2B-only focus and dedicated account management provide real value for SMBs that want a supplier relationship — not just a website. The $45 free shipping threshold is lower than Staples, and the account manager who proactively checks in on recurring supply needs reduces the overhead of managing office purchasing for small business owners. It scores below Amazon Business because Quill's catalog breadth and pricing competitiveness lag Amazon, and below Staples because it lacks in-store access.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Dedicated account manager assigned to every business — a real person who knows your needs
- ✓$45 free shipping threshold — lower than Staples or Office Depot
- ✓Auto-reorder for recurring supply needs — reduces ordering overhead
- ✓Net-30 payment terms for qualified businesses
- ✓Quill Rewards 5% back on cleaning and breakroom categories
- ✓B2B-only platform — no consumer distractions, business-first catalog
Cons
- ✗No in-store locations — online-only model means no same-day pickup option
- ✗Catalog breadth is narrower than Amazon Business
- ✗Pricing is comparable to Staples — not Amazon Business competitive on commodity items
- ✗Lower brand recognition than Staples or Office Depot
Ready to try Quill? Free plan available — no credit card required.
Get Quill →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Quill worth it in 2026?
$45 free shipping threshold (lower than Staples' $50) and dedicated account manager — valuable for SMBs who want white-glove supply management without Amazon's self-service model Overall verdict: Good value.
What is Quill best for?
Quill is best for: SMBs who want a dedicated account manager and supplier relationship vs. self-service, Office managers who want auto-reorder set up for recurring supplies, Businesses that prefer a B2B-only platform without navigating a consumer retail site.
Does Quill have a free plan?
Yes — Quill offers a free tier: Free business account with dedicated account manager.
Who should NOT use Quill?
Quill is not the right fit for: Businesses that need same-day in-store pickup (Staples or Office Depot are better); Price-minimizers — Amazon Business has better pricing on most commodity items.
What are the best Quill alternatives?
Top alternatives to Quill include amazon-business, staples, office-depot.
Quill earns Silver because its B2B-only focus and dedicated account management provide real value for SMBs that want a supplier relationship — not just a website. The $45 free shipping threshold is lower than Staples, and the account manager who proactively checks in on recurring supply needs reduces the overhead of managing office purchasing for small business owners. It scores below Amazon Business because Quill's catalog breadth and pricing competitiveness lag Amazon, and below Staples because it lacks in-store access.
Get Quill →Free tier available — no credit card required
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