Hello Rachel,

Hands down I agree with the previous post.  You have to weight the cost and
time you will spend on the switch.  Also such frequent vendor changes may
confuse publishers.  If any of the vendor uses fulfillment houses it will
more then likely create shipping problems.  I'd also advice to check how
reliable your proposed vendor is.  The one that you are using now may be
better and in the long run it will save you time because you will not end up
with missing issues and order replacements.  These are the things I would
consider.

Kasia Stasik
Serials and Continuations Unit Supervisor
University of California Riverside Library
Tel.  (951) 827-2322
Fax. (951) 827-3720

-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum
[mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Cynthia Hsieh
Sent: Monday, July 10, 2006 9:13 AM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [SERIALST] changing vendors

Dear Rachel:

when calculating costs vs. saving, it is very important to include the
labor cost, that is, the time staff members spend in changing the vendor
information, verifying titles switched, setting up payment
process....,etc.  Often time, you will find that it is not cost
effective to change vendors too often.

>>> rachelb@MACAM.AC.IL 07/09/06 6:44 AM >>>
Dear Librarians
What do other serial librarians think about frequently changing
vendors.
Last year we transferred all our subscriptions to one vendor (130
journals). This year my boss insisted I get an estimate from another
vendor to see who was cheaper and either play one off the other or to
simply jump boat and change vendors again!.
What good reasons can I give her as to why this is not a good idea
other than items that never turn up or double issues. For her, the
financial aspect is the only issue! . There is actually quite a
substantial difference.I have insisted that she first negotiate with our
present vendor which she has agreed to do.
Thanks for any insights

Rachel Ben-Eliezer
Serials Librarian and Interlibrary Loan Services
DAVID YELLIN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION LIBRARY
POB 3578
Jerusalem 91035
ISRAEL
Tel: 02-6558180
Fax: 02-6521548
E-Mail: rachelb@macam.ac.il