7 messages, 202 lines:
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Date: Tue, 19 Sep 1995 09:17:52 -0400
From: "James M. Macleod" <jmac@LOC.GOV>
Subject: Re: Blind invoices & professional ethics
Hi, Rolly, and all:
> Recently my library has two blind invoices from the same publisher for
> periodicals never ordered. In each case the publisher claimed that we had
> ordered the title and that they had sent issues. One invoice even
> claimed that not only had they sent the issues but that we were in
> arrears on our payments. Do other libraries receive such invoices?
> Frankly I'm reluctant to mention the publisher's name for fear of being
> held libelous. Does anyone know if I would be and has anyone else had
> experience with publishers who use such tactics to con libraries into
> subscribing to their journals?
We occasionally receive similar invoices. We take every invoice
seriously and attempt to determine whether it is legitimate or not.
Sometimes, we find that an invoice has been issued by a publisher even
though our subscription is serviced by an agent.
We do find, though, that there are times when publishers invoice
us and we can find no evidence of our having issued a purchase order. In
such cases, we require that the publisher cite a purchase order number or
give other convincing proof that we have authorized the supply of the
material and that we, therefore, have an obligation to pay.
We will not honor an invoice sent "on approval" or for materials
not specifically requested by the Library.
James M. MacLeod
Head, Subscription & Microform Section
Order Division
Library of Congress
Washington, DC 20540-4147
(202) 707-9886
(202) 707-9440 (fax)
jmac@loc.gov
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Date: Tue, 19 Sep 1995 09:13:54 -0400
From: Velma June <vjune@ADRIAN.ADRIAN.EDU>
Subject: re blind invoices
We've not experienced *formal* invoices for periodicals but we do receive
invoices which claim to be renewals (and aren't). We also receive books which
have invoices with them. I'm sure that large institutions get "hooked" many
times over each year with these tactics. One company which keeps sending us
"renewals" claims that their computer can't delete us! Vigilance and tenacity
are our guidelines - like a dog with a bone - never give up! Good luck!
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Date: Tue, 19 Sep 1995 14:25:51 -0600
From: LAURIE ROACH 715-232-1898 <ROACHL@A1.UWSTOUT.EDU>
Subject: Re: Blind invoices & professional ethics
We have a few publishers that have tried this. None have claimed
to have sent issues though. One will send us a renewal notice and
claim that our current subscription is running out, a subscription
we do not have.
Another company sends us an invoice, thanking us for our order,
for something we have never ordered. We get one every year and
have never ordered the title. We never get the product and we
do not get 2nd notices either. We keep a copy of these with
giant "DO NOT PAY" notes on them in our invoice folders.
We seem to be getting more of these in the past few years.
Laurie Roach
ROACHL@UWSTOUT.EDU
Standing Orders
University of Wis. - Stout
Menomonie, WI 54751
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Date: Tue, 19 Sep 1995 09:16:14 -0500
From: Jim Mumm <MUMMJ@VMS.CSD.MU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Blind invoices & professional ethics
Comments: To: Rolly Harwell <HARWELLR@ETSU.EAST-TENN-ST.EDU>
Rolly:
First: I wouldn't worry about being held libelous. It is a personal
decision on your part, but sharing information about publishers is what
this list is about (at least in part).
Second: (and more importantly) The way I deal with this type of issue is
to call the publisher and ask them to prove that they sent the material.
They should be able to put a tracer out and find out who signed for the
shipment. In the same conversation I would ask them who ordered the
material or the purchase order number. If they cannot provide this
information, I would tell them that we cannot be held liable for their
errors, and they should remove the charges to our account. Usually these
two steps (tracing the material and locating the origin of the order) will
resolve any discrepency.
If they still refuse to credit you, you may have to look at the amount and
decide whether it is worth pursuing further. I know, the principle is
what's at stake, but you may have to evaluate whether it is worth your
time to continue following up on the issue. If it is, you may want to
refer it to the people who pay your bills and ask for their help in
fighting it. They understand creditors, collections, etc. very well.
I hope this helps.
******************************************
*** ***
*** Jim Mumm ***
*** Acquisitions / Serials Librarian ***
*** Marquette University Law Library ***
*** 1103 W. Wisconsin Avenue ***
*** P.O. Box 3137 ***
*** Milwaukee, WI 53201-3137 ***
*** ***
*** mummj@vms.csd.mu.edu ***
*** TEL : (414) 288-5351 ***
*** FAX : (414) 288-5914 ***
*** ***
******************************************
On Tue, 19 Sep 1995, Rolly Harwell wrote:
> Recently my library has two blind invoices from the same publisher for
> periodicals never ordered. In each case the publisher claimed that we had
> ordered the title and that they had sent issues. One invoice even
> claimed that not only had they sent the issues but that we were in
> arrears on our payments. Do other libraries receive such invoices?
> Frankly I'm reluctant to mention the publisher's name for fear of being
> held libelous. Does anyone know if I would be and has anyone else had
> experience with publishers who use such tactics to con libraries into
> subscribing to their journals?
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Date: Tue, 19 Sep 1995 09:20:35 -0500
From: Jeanette Skwor <SKWORJ@GBMS01.UWGB.EDU>
Subject: Re: Blind invoices & professional ethics
I can't say I've had this happen to me, although there have been
plenty of attempts to sneak bogus invoices past me in the expectation in a
largish university office, the right hand doesn't know what the left is
doing. My worst (read: most offensive) problem has been people who invoice
multiple times under different subsidiaries/logos eg. Elsevier & Oxford
Fulfillment Center; EBSCO and Remploy, Ltd. We've also had problems with
publishers invoicing us for things we receive through Faxon. I never never
ever pay a PRO FORMA invoice and watch everything else like a mother hen
brooding over her eggs.
As far as naming names, if they really did it, it ain't libel, is what I
learned.
Jeanette Skwor
skworj@uwgb.edu
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Date: Tue, 19 Sep 1995 09:51:50 -0500
From: Rosanne Powell <POWELL@VAX1.ROCKHURST.EDU>
Organization: Rockhurst College; Kansas City, MO
I have received blind invoice from several different publishers in the
past, most for monographs, but some for periodicals. Generally, I have
ignored the first invoice, but if I receive repeat invoices or
statements I contact the publisher letting them know that we never order
anything without a purchase order number. Needless to say, they do not
have one of our p.o. numbers on the invoice/statement. I have also
informed them that I do not care for this particular business practice
and will consider cancelling subscriptions/orders with their company if
they continue to harass our library for items that we have not ordered.
Hope this helps.
Rosanne Powell
Acquisitions/Periodicals Librarian
Rockhurst College
Kansas City, MO 64110
POWELL@VAX1.ROCKHURST.EDU
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Date: Tue, 19 Sep 1995 10:43:22 -0500
Reply-To: Martha Coleman <mcoleman@systema.westark.edu>
From: Martha Coleman <mcoleman@SYSTEMA.WESTARK.EDU>
Subject: Blind invoices & professional ethics
I would like to add a tidbit to Rolly Harwell's post. I have received 2
pages that appeared to be torn from a magazine advertising The American
Speaker: Your Guide to Successful Speaking by Aram Bakshian, Jr. from
Georgetown Publishing House. The page has a yellow sticky note reading
"Martha, Try this. It Works! (signed with the letter J) Our
president's first name is Joel. It occurred to me that it would be
easy to compile an address list of librarians and their college's chief
officer's first name. Since there is no Sales Representative noted whose
name begins with J, I became suspicious that a sales rep was hoping that I
was a busy librarian and would order this $297 item based on the
assumption that "Joel" wanted it and told me so personally. Sneaky.
Martha Coleman, Serials/Reference Librarian
Boreham Library - Westark Community College
Fort Smith, AR mcoleman@systema.westark.edu
