It seems to me if you are satisfied with their services and people, there
is no need to switch.  Their situation appears much different from the
Faxon fiasco in that they've been in business a lot longer and the changes
they are undertaking are intended to strenghthen their business.

  In the Faxon case, it seems likely (in 20-20 hindsight) that divine
bought them specifically to get the at the incoming renewal funds.  The
Faxon employees were caught off guard as much as we customers.

My understanding from Swets is that if you are concerned, you may request
that they escrow your payments.  My guess is this would cost an additional
service fee, but if it provides guaranteed (or as guaranteed as anything
can be) security for your funds, it would be worth it.

Personally, having tried one of the other agents for a year, I am quite
comfortable with the decision to switch most of our business to Swets for
2005.

Sarah

Fatmeh Charafeddine wrote:

> What are libraries doing about Swets Blackwell subscriptions for 2005 ?
> Are you thinking of shifting to a supposedly more financially secured dealer ?
>
> We like Swets services and people. SwetsNet is the best. We don't want
> to loose money or subscriptions. If you are in the same situation,
> kindly share your thoughts we are in a dilemma.
>
> Thanks and regards
> Fatme Charafeddine
> Serials Librarian/ University Libraries

--
Sarah Stevens-Rayburn, Librarian        email: library@stsci.edu
Space Telescope Science Institute       telephone:  410-338-4961
3700 San Martin Drive                   fax:  410-338-4949
Baltimore, MD  21218
USA

http://sesame.stsci.edu/library.html