Cost estimates from jobbers
From:
<Sarah.Gallagher_at_gov.yk.ca>
Hello,
I am wondering if anyone has a method of estimating costs of orders through jobbers. For example, do you over-order by 20% assuming that a certain amount will not come in, and allowing for your vendor discount (but also accounting for shipping costs)? If anyone has any experience with this or can point me towards any literature in this area, I would be very appreciative.
Background:
Our library (a public library with 14 community branch libraries, in a territory of 34,000 people) has recently made the full transition from a paper-based ordering system, to electronic ordering to a couple of jobbers using OSA via TLC. One of the things we know will be a challenge is sticking within budget as orders come in as they are available, or arrive long after fiscal year-end, or don't arrive at all. Another challenge is balancing our discount from the vendor with shipping costs. While we don't want to go over budget, we obviously want to maximize our book buying budget. Previously we were able to set aside a certain amount for end-of year buying to use up the budget. Now we want to have requests fulfilled as quickly as possible and allow patrons to put holds on items that are on order, so we are continually ordering, and also ordering pre-publication titles so that we are ready when patrons first hear of a book. Over the next few years we will have a better picture of the flow of orders, but it would be nice to have a bit more control now, even if it's theoretical.
Thank you,
Sarah Gallagher
Librarian, Whitehorse Public Library
Yukon Dept. of Community Services
P.O. Box 2670, C-23
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6
(867) 667-8621
Email:Sarah.Gallagher_at_gov.yk.ca<mailto:Sarah.Gallagher_at_gov.yk.ca>
Web:http://www.ypl.gov.yk.ca/
Received on Fri Jan 18 2013 - 16:37:28 EST