While I understand the desire for pricing transparency, I
can't
think of an industry where it is practiced, or understand
the
value to the buyer, since it often favors the seller.
When I was a publisher and purchasing printing, composition,
or
Web services, there was no openness in pricing. I am sure in
other services purchased by universities, from IS services
to
construction, contracts are awarded in response to RFPs,
often on
a closed bid basis.
Perhaps there are economists on the listserv who can comment
on
whether open or hidden pricing trends lower pricing for
buyers.
My experience with printing services is that closed pricing
drives down prices, as printers cut margins to the minimum
or
bundle services to gain business. I would think that
librarians
have the greatest bargaining power when they are not
operating
from a take-it-or-leave-it menu of prices.
Peter Banks
Banks Publishing
Publications Consulting and Services
pbanks bankspub.com
On 9/25/06 6:21 PM, "Debi Baker" <ddbakeruoregon.edu> wrote:
> Good luck, Rick! I've had to speak to such a lawyer
and found
> the major concern was based on his own actions during
law
> school where he violated fair use. Seems we are seeing
a lot
> more of this, particularly in the newly-minted JDs.
>
> Regards,
>
>
************************************************************
********
> Debi Baker Orbis Cascade Alliance
> Projects Manager ddbakeruoregon.edu
> 1299 University of Oregon voice: (541)
346-1832
> Eugene, OR 97403-1299 fax: (541)
346-1968
>
************************************************************
********
>
> On Fri, 22 Sep 2006, Rick Anderson wrote:
>
> (Apologies for cross-posting)
>
> Some readers of this list might recall recent
discussion of a
> newly revised clause in Nature's license agreement,
one which now
> requires that the library keep both the license terms
and the
> price confidential. When I objected (strenuously) to
this license
> provision to my sales rep -- and mentioned the
problem on-list --
> I was told that the pricing confidentiality language
was going to
> be taken out and that pricing information was going
to be posted
> publicly. Now the word from Nature is that the
pricing
> confidentiality language is staying in after all,
even though it
> is apparently still going to be posted publicly (if
you figure
> that one out, let me know).
>
> If this bothers you, you may want to register your
displeasure
> with the company. When I did so, I was told that
"it's the
> lawyers." I've asked to speak with one of the
lawyers. We'll
> see whether that happens.
>
> FYI,
> Rick Anderson
>
> ----
> Rick Anderson
> Dir. of Resource Acquisition
> University of Nevada, Reno Libraries
> rickandunr.edu
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