ACQNET v3n072 (September 14, 1993) URL = http://www.infomotions.com/serials/acqnet/acqnet-v3n072 ISSN: 1057-5308 *************** ACQNET, Vol. 3, No. 72, September 14, 1993 ========================================== (1) FROM: Martin Cohen SUBJECT: Firm order returns (25 lines) (2) FROM: Catherine Wolfson SUBJECT: Firm order returns, ethics, Majors Scientific Books (61 lines) (3) FROM: Liz Chapman SUBJECT: Collets Book Service (27 lines) (4) FROM: Nancy Gibbs SUBJECT: The Voyager Co. interactive media (11 lines) (5) FROM: Arline Haenisch SUBJECT: Automated acquisitions systems (20 lines) (6) FROM: Judith Wann SUBJECT: Latin American textbook vendors (10 lines) (1)------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Martin Cohen (McGill University) Subject: Firm order returns, ethics Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1993 07:40:04 -0400 It's reassuring to see that Cornell and McGill follow what is in essence the same policy for firm order returns (we call them "rejects" - heaven only knows why, and I've tried unsuccessfully for three years to get people to call them "returns"). However, it seems to me that there's one base that Christian hasn't touched - the business of what happens when a vendor unilaterally re-negotiates the agreement. McGill has had this problem particularly with vendors in Spain, for some reason or other: one particular vendor, for example (no names, but they went bust a couple of months ago), had the habit of stating huffily that "we don't accept returns" - this on a purely random basis, every fifth or sixth return (say) bringing about the invocation of the "new policy". Other Spanish vendors were caught doing the same thing, albeit more politely. I have no compunctions about dropping vendors who pull this trick; don't know how this fits into the code of ethics, but to me it all comes under getting the most favourable terms possible for McGill - not only the libraries, but ultimately the whole university. Anyone have any comments on where this sort of summary judgement on the part of acquisitions librarians stands? I'd be interested to hear other opinions. (2)------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Catherine Wolfson (University of Arizona) Subject: Firm order returns, ethics Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1993 15:34:47 -0700 (MST) Christian: I would like to comment on your editorial concerning firm order returns. I read this with a great deal of interest. I am in basic agreement with most of the points you made, but here at the Arizona Health Sciences Library, we follow a slightly looser policy. You said that the only firm orders you return are those "damaged, mis- represented in the vendor's announcements, or sent in error by the vendor". We also return firm orders in these cases, but in addition, we will return firm orders which we have ordered in error, which are duplicates, or which turn out to be undesirable for our collection for one reason or another, which was not obvious at the time of order. Our book vendor, Majors Scientific Books in Dallas, has a policy of usually accepting returns of firm orders, as long as they were not special-ordered, and as long as they are in resalable condition, i.e., not damaged, or not already property-stamped, bar-coded, etc. Majors has also told me more than once during my 18 years as Acquisitions Librarian that as long as the above conditions were met, we did not have to request permission to return firm orders. However, I have always made it a policy to request permission to return firm orders if the error was ours and not Majors'. I believe this is both ethical and in the interest of good relations. And we try to keep returns to an absolute minimum, because, as you correctly noted, they are expensive, and they are also a pain in the body part of choice, frankly. We have excellent relations with Majors, and I believe that is partly due to this policy of always requesting permission to return firm orders when it is our error. Majors has given us good discounts and very good service. They have also gone to bat for us in some awkward situations. Case in point: several years ago we ordered a book published by a prominent consulting firm, per a faculty member's request. We had put a price of $50 on our record. When the invoice came, it was for $1,350, if memory serves. With the 10% discount we got at the time, a mere $1,215. I thought perhaps a zero had been misplaced, which occasionally happened, and called Majors. However, they had quoted the correct price. And this was for a book which was about 60 pages in length, and was primarily an advertisement of this consulting firm's services! We pay less for such outstanding titles and classics in their field as Harrison's _Principles of Internal Medicine_, William's _Obstetrics_, Nelson's _Pediatrics_, and Hurst's _The Heart_, etc., etc.! Well, Majors would have had the complete right to refuse to accept the return, but because we have maintained good relations, and because they are reputable, they allowed us to return. So, following ethical practices is a good idea, not just for the sake of being ethical, but because it makes good business sense. Also, Christian, I would just like to thank you for being the editor/ moderator (or whatever the proper term is) of this list, and to pay you a compliment--Vous ecrivez tres bien en anglais! [Merci. J'ai eu de bons professeurs americains. -- C.] (3)------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Liz Chapman (University of Oxford) Subject: COLLETS Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1993 07:33:11 -0400 This is a personal, not an official report on the Collets situation as I see it. I have been a customer of their library supply service throughout my library career and I am very sorry to see the company have such problems as I have always found them efficient, responsive and friendly. In case you don't have the system of "administration" in the USA an administration order is a court order made in relation to a company in financial difficulties with a view to maintaining its existence as a going concern or to better realize its assets if it is liquidated. During the administration period the affairs are handled by administrators, which is what you Collets customers will have seen on the invoices and statements which you are receiving. It is hoped that bankruptcy is avoided thereby. For those of you who like me were concerned for the welfare of the Collets employees you should know that Jonathan Waring was let go right at the beginning of the administration period but is now setting up an office as the UK end of Coutts. Some of you may also know Keith Edwards who now has a job with a bookseller in Windsor I believe. The most serious problem now it seems to me is the supply of specialist material from Eastern Europe, for which we have relied on Collets and which itself has become more fraught over recent months. (4)------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Nancy Gibbs (NC State Univ.) Subject: The Voyager Co. interactive media Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1993 08:32:02 -0400 The North Carolina State University Libraries is interested in purchasing The Voyager Co. interactive media from a vendor rather than going direct - but we are finding this a somewhat daunting task. One vendor will not supply to libraries and a second vendor is not very familiar enough with Voyager products to answer simple questions on the phone. Is there a media/interactive video vendor we might use for this material? (5)------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Arline Haenisch (Elmhurst College) Subject: Stand-alone ordering package Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1993 09:57:30 -0400 This is response to the note from Lee Bracken concerning stand-alone ordering packages (ACQNET 3:71.2). Several years ago when I assumed the position of Acquisitions Assistant at Elmhurst College Library, Elmhurst, Illinois, our priority was to decide and implement a computer-based system for ordering and fund accounting, with electronic ordering capabilities. After researching several possibilities we decided to purchase NonSuch by Ringold Management Systems. This system is not vendor-based which we felt was a plus because, at that time, it was easier to work with different vendors if your software was not tied to any one vendor. This system does an excellent job of tracking individual item orders and fund accounting. It allows for many different forms of report generation, vendor tracking, etc. I will not take any more space here to describe the particulars, but if anyone is interested they may e-mail me privately at arlineh.elmhurst. edu and I can answer any specific questions or give you Ringold Management's number and/or address for you to get further information. (6)------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Judith Wann (Oregon State Library) Subject: Latin American text books Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1993 20:08:41 -0400 Does any one know a source of Latin American textbooks? We have had a request for information on or examples of K-12 social studies texts used in any Latin American country. Since we virtually never order from Latin America (nor do we order text books, for that matter), I'm at a loss. Any information would be appreciated. ****** END OF FILE ****** ACQNET, Vol. 3, No. 72 ****** END OF FILE ******