At Univ of RI it has depended on staffing levels. We went WITHOUT the guaranteed rate program for a year, and it was okay, but definitely more invoices and pesky postings to our Innovative system. We lost two staff and switched back to the guaranteed rate program the following year.

Our EBSCO rep also gave us the following consideration: If EBSCO invoices you really late, like in mid to late December (as sometimes happens), then the guaranteed rate is less helpful, since most publishers have their prices set for the following year by that time.

However, if EBSCO invoices you in early fall, then it is quite likely prices will change a lot before the January subscription year starts, so the guaranteed rate is a better bet.

Hope this helps,
andree

On Wed, Jun 17, 2009 at 12:14 PM, Diane Faust <DFaust@pts.edu> wrote:

I'm wondering if most libraries are still using the Guarenteed Rate Program which EBSCO introduced more than 10 years ago.  According to EBSCO "an additional percentage charge will be added to the publishers' price for each title on a line by line basis".  I realize that it's a huge time saver, for both the library and the vendor, to eliminate supplemental billling for rate adjustments.  My question is, are enough titles on a renewal list impacted with a rate increase for this service to make good financial sense?  The fee established by EBSCO are thought to be approx. one percentage point below the actual total price.  Does this seem about right?  Does anyone have a sense of a "breakeven" point that makes this program worthwhile for them? 

Thank you,

Diane M. Faust
Clifford E. Barbour Library
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
616 North Highland Avenue
Pittsburgh,  PA  15206
412-441-3304 x2179
dfaust@pts.edu






--
Andree Rathemacher
Associate Professor
Head, Serials Unit / Electronic Resources Librarian
University Libraries, University of Rhode Island
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work: (401) 874-5096
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