Message 1----------
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 08:58:14 EST
From: MS_RESPASS <mrespass@GEORGIAN.EDU>
Subject: Re: UMI Price Increases (Sandy Barstow)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 16:48:10 -0600
From: "Sandra M. Barstow" <SBarstow@UWYO.EDU>
Subject: UMI Price Increases
In comparing our 1996 UMI renewal invoice to our 1995 invoice, we found
that some of our titles had increased by astronomical percentages. For
example, the JOURNAL OF RANGE MANAGEMENT cost $25.50 last year, but
$100.00 this year. By calling our customer service representative, we
learned that apparently a form letter was sent with the renewal invoices
to customers, explaining that the prices of low-sales-volume journals
were being increased to a level that would recover their costs. (We
didn't see this letter.) One would think that the high-sales-volume
journals would have had their prices decreased, since they were no longer
subsidizing the esoteric publications, but none of our microform journals
were cheaper this year than last.
We were assured by the customer service person that these were one-time
increases (of this magnitude). However, if libraries decide to cancel
these journals because we can no longer afford them, I would assume that
the remaining subscribers would see further large price increases. Has
anybody out there in SERIALST-land been thinking about how to respond to
this problem?
Sandy Barstow
Head of Acquisitions
University of Wyoming Libraries
sbarstow@uwyo.edu
We have cancelled a number of titles that increased substantially.
Unfortunately, we had been hoping to increase our microform
collection and decrease our binding. However, the increases
just made the microform unaffordable for us.
Marie Respass
Georgian Court College
Lakewood, NJ
mrespass@georgian.edu
-----
Message 2----------
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 08:23:02 -0400
From: James MacLeod <jmac@LOC.GOV>
Subject: UMI Price Increases (Sandy Barstow) -Reply
We also found significant increases in the cost of many of our UMI
subscriptions. However, UMI offered a one year discount, which eliminated
most of the increase.
However, when we inquired about these increases we were told that the new
increased prices will become the base price for 1998, with whatever
additional increment UMI may apply at that time. And, the discount for
this year (1997) is good only for this one year to aid in "adjusting" to
the new price schedule.
Needless to say, any library with a significant UMI account is going to
feel this price increase where it hurts! Ouch!
Jim MacLeod
Head, Subscription & Microform Section
Order Division
Library of Congress
Washington, DC
"My opinions are my own. Nobody else would claim them."
-----
Message 3----------
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 08:29:15 -0700
From: Donna Packer <d3737@HENSON.CC.WWU.EDU>
Subject: Re: UMI Price Increases (Sandy Barstow)
Our response was immediately to review our list of microform subscriptions
and see whether there were any we could manage without. We found a few.
And, yes, I'm sorry to say I was fully aware of the potential impact of
these cancellations on those subscribers remaining.
I always hope that somehow the price of something reflects its production,
marketing and sales costs, plus a modest profit sufficient to allow its
producer to do some R&D and equipment updates, and, yes, one expect somes
return on investment for the owners (and shareholders, if any). Whether,
in the case of a publisher, that price is set with respect to one specific
title, or a range of titles, who knows? I suppose practices vary.
Still, this kind of sudden jump in price makes me think that any
publisher who does that is not conducting continual reviews of their
products and pricing structures. Otherwise, I like to think, necessary
price increases would be gradual in nature ( assuming, of course, the
publication remains essentially the same in size and content).
This is clearly a fantasy of mine. Perhaps there are other views/ideas?
- Donna Packer
Head of Access Services
Western Washington University
