Take It or Leave It from RIA: No More 1st Supplement Only Standing Orders

RIA stopped accepting "first supplement only" standing orders to their print titles (some, all?) sometime this year. News to me because for the few remaining RIA print titles we still have, we've retained them on full supplement. News to you? Apparently the answer in some instances is "yes." At least, I haven't hear that second supplements are being shipped automatically. Law libraries have a choice to make -- take it or leave it as in an all print upkeep standing order or cancel.

Many law libraries have found that multiple supplements each year for RIA titles simply aren't cost effective and have opted for "1st sup only" standing orders as a way to keep their holdings relatively current. In our current budgetary climate. one has to wonder whether RIA thinks this "take all supplements" policy change is going to generate more revenue than the loss of business from print upkeep cancellations. I guess we'll know by watching if RIA annual upkeep costs increase on a percent basis at higher than previously years rates. Would be nice to hold on to the few remaining WG&L tax and accounting titles we still have but... .

What next, a no return-for-refund/credit policy change for print upkeep from TR's Tax & Accounting? Ah, wait, I better check my next RIA shipment to see if they have one. Add WG&L to the watch closely list. Well, I know TR Legal has one, at least as of last week's shipment. 

Just imagine the consequences if TR Legal went the "take it or leave it" route in 2011 by refusing to accept print upkeep returns for refunds or credits. Not saying it will happen ... doubtful (I hope) ... but someone in the land of 10,000 invoices might be crunching numbers. Frankly, those folks are pretty smart so I'm thinking the forecasted rate of print returns is probably rolled into print upkeep pricing models. I just hope they factor in recycled paper credits. [JH]