We have just recently discovered that Cambridge University Press will be
charging VAT on all their journals that have electronic access. A rouge
invoice came to us rather than our agents and on it it says: "As advised
last year, the electronic part of your subscription (where available) now
attracts VAT at the appropriate rate." I asked CUP when and how subscribers
had been advised. Their response was that it was stated on last year's
invoices. However, like most institutions we use agents and thus do not see
publisher's invoices. It seems odd that a publisher which sends out letters
about new journals and services seems to have decided on a more subtle route
to inform us of this major change. Has anyone else been iformed, formally,
by CUP, through another route?
As an example I asked CUP about the costs of Genetical Research:
2001 Print & Electronic = £240
2002 Print & Electronic = £268 PLUS VAT on electronic "part" = £284.42
2002 Electronic Only = £298.42
There is no "print only" option. That means a price increase (if my maths is
right) of about 18.5% for 2002.
CUP do not seem to be alone on this as Portland Press are also doing it.
Does anyone know of any other publishers who are doing this (I've checked
with Taylor & Francis and they are not)?
Many thanks
Jonathan McAslan
Serials Manager
University of Aberdeen
Tel: 01224 272029
Fax: 01224 487048
email: [log in to unmask]
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