Re: Subscription service -renewal question (2 messages) SERIALST Moderator 15 Oct 2002 18:15 UTC
2 messages, 83 lines: (1)--------------------- Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2002 08:04:49 -0700 From: "Pat Meyer" <pmeyer@nu.edu> Subject: Re: Subscription service -renewal question (Roberta Hanfling) Roberta, In the larger libraries I've worked in, we've used subscription services. They certainly can make your life easier (or a living hell!). Service is often a function of personalities and your relationship with your assigned vendor contacts. Since I've been in the field for so long, and familiar with our titles and specific needs for my library, I've found it useful to educate my customer service person about our requirements. Generally they are responsive. Admittedly, sometimes this simply doesn't work. You might consider requesting another person to work with. Be honest in letting them know why. Most vendors are genuinely committed to good customer service and want to keep your business. The difference in service from different reps in the same company can be like night & day. It might be worth a shot, changing service vendors is a giant pain in the you know what... As far as your concerns about not receiving the balance of your subscriptions, your journal publishers have already been paid for your current subscriptions (in many cases they even print mailing labels months in advance). It's usually more trouble than it is worth to try to stop them from sending the rest of your issues. Good luck with resolving this! Pat Meyer Serials Specialist National University Library pmeyer@nu.edu voice (858) 541-7917 toll free (866) NU-ACCESS ext.7917 fax (858) 541-7997 (2)--------------------- Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2002 10:17:10 -0500 From: "Skwor, Jeanette" <skworj@uwgb.edu> Subject: RE: Subscription service -renewal question (Roberta Hanfling) ***"We're not ready to make that decision at this time"? ***Library budgets and shifting priorities being what they are, many libraries (well, ours :) go over their renewal lists for possible cuts. Our collection development librarian has our vendor hold some renewals at times, until she has the information she needs to make her decision. And, of course, it is hard to judge just how long that may take . . . Jeanette L. Skwor Serials Dept. Cofrin Library University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2670 <skworj@uwgb.edu> -----Original Message----- Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2002 09:59:08 +0900 From: "Roberta Hanfling" <library@maritime.co.il> Subject: subscription service Hi, For the past three year our serials subscriptions have been placed thru a subscription service. This past year, their customer service has deteriorated and is sporadic. Recently, they requested confirmation of 2003 subscription renewals. Our current subscriptions expire at the end of April. We don't want to continue using their service but I suspect that not renewing our subscriptions may result in not receiving the remaining journal issues. Any suggestions ? - Roberta Hanfling Israel Maritime College library@maritime.co.il