I write in response to your article concerning the allegation by the National Association of College Stores (NACS) that Harvard University Press, among numerous others, engages in "dual pricing" or "price discrimination" ("University Press Accused of Price Discrimination," April 1). For the record, Harvard University Press (HUP) has one published discount schedule that is available to every qualified retail account, whether a chain, independent or college bookstore.
The discounts offered on books to all such accounts are linked to the quantities ordered, without regard to the store's self-characterization. If the description of the University of Kansas Press's position as depicted in The Crimson is correct, it different from that of HUP.
We do not have "different rates for different stores" but one published rate for all our retail customers. You should also note one point that is not frequently mentioned in the publicity about the potential action by NACS: Should publishers be forced to increase their discounts to stores--college or other--the result will be higher prices for those books used in courses. This is a scenario we do not favor. --William P. Sisler, director, Harvard University Press
Read more in Opinion
The Bottom LineRecommended Articles
-
Bok Assesses 'State of Nation'In his newly-released book, President Emeritus Derek C. Bok, who is known for his books on higher education, tackles the
-
Publish Popular Or PerishThe halcyon days of academic publishing, if they ever existed, are now days of serious-minded business. More than ever, the
-
Website Faces False Advertising LawsuitThe head of VarsityBooks.com lashed out yesterday at college bookstores who are suing the company over claims of false and
-
Columbia University Book Awards Given to Three HUP PublicationsColumbia University this week awarded its Bancroft Prizes for the best books in American history to three authors of works
-
Harvard Stops Author From Printing PoemsIn a rare move to protect the integrity of University-owned manuscripts, Harvard recently denied an English professor permission to publish
-
Three Year Old Wants Navy PayHas the Navy lowered the minimum age requirement for officers? That might well have been the question of numerous on-lookers
