2 messages, 83 lines:

(1)---------------------
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2002 08:04:49 -0700
From: "Pat Meyer" <pmeyer@nu.edu>
Subject: Re: Subscription service -renewal question (Roberta Hanfling)

Roberta,

In the larger libraries I've worked in, we've used subscription services.
They certainly can make your life easier (or a living hell!).  Service is
often a function of personalities and your relationship with your assigned
vendor contacts.  Since I've been in the field for so long, and familiar
with our titles and specific needs for my library, I've found it useful to
educate my customer service person about our requirements.  Generally they
are responsive.

Admittedly, sometimes this simply doesn't work.  You might consider
requesting another person to work with.  Be honest in letting them know
why.  Most vendors are genuinely committed to good customer service and
want to keep your business. The difference in service from different reps
in the same company can be like night & day.  It might be worth a shot,
changing service vendors is a giant pain in the you know what...

As far as your concerns about not receiving the balance of your
subscriptions, your journal publishers have already been paid for your
current subscriptions (in many cases they even print mailing labels months
in advance).  It's usually more trouble than it is worth to try to stop
them from sending the rest of your issues.

Good luck with resolving this!

Pat Meyer
Serials Specialist
National University Library
pmeyer@nu.edu
voice (858) 541-7917
toll free (866) NU-ACCESS ext.7917
fax (858) 541-7997

(2)---------------------
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2002 10:17:10 -0500
From: "Skwor, Jeanette" <skworj@uwgb.edu>
Subject: RE: Subscription service -renewal question (Roberta Hanfling)

***"We're not ready to make that decision at this time"?

***Library budgets and shifting priorities being what they are, many
libraries (well, ours :) go over their renewal lists for possible cuts.
Our collection development librarian has our vendor hold some renewals at
times, until she has the information she needs to make her decision. And,
of course, it is hard to judge just how long that may take . . .

Jeanette L. Skwor
Serials Dept.
Cofrin Library
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Green Bay, WI 54311-7001
(920) 465-2670
<skworj@uwgb.edu>

-----Original Message-----
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2002 09:59:08 +0900
From: "Roberta Hanfling" <library@maritime.co.il>
Subject: subscription service

Hi,

For the past three year our serials subscriptions have been placed thru
a subscription service.  This past year, their customer service has
deteriorated and is sporadic.

Recently, they requested confirmation of 2003 subscription renewals. Our
current subscriptions expire at the end of April. We don't want to
continue using their service but I suspect that not renewing our
subscriptions may result in not receiving the remaining journal issues.

Any suggestions ?

- Roberta Hanfling
  Israel Maritime College
  library@maritime.co.il