Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the ACS create a new pricing model?

A: Our old model was based on prior print holdings (including duplicates); now, the majority of our customers have converted to electronic subscriptions.  Previously, we did not take various value-based metrics (article output, usage, impact factor) into account; complicated multi-site pricing models were created that may not have accurately or adequately addressed customers’ needs.  Discussions with our customers as well as internal reviews pointed us towards a new pricing model that would work for subscribers on global scale and reflect the move from the print to an electronic medium.

Q: Do we have to move to the new model, even if we were satisfied with the old model?

A: Yes.  This new model will be implemented for all customers, to ensure fairness.  We will work with every customer to minimize disruption, but all customers will move onto the model in 2008.

Q: Will my institution's costs change?

A: It’s possible.  In any new model, most subscribers will see some change in their annual fees:  some will go up, some will go down (and some will stay approximately the same).  This will depend on a number of factors, including your mix of titles, your usage, and your institution’s profile.  We will work with each institution to minimize disruption.  In order distribute the change most fairly and ensure that no one institution or group of institutions subsidizes this transition for another, we expect it to put every institution on model; it may take some time to fully accomplish this, and we look forward to working with you directly to best navigate the path to a truly web-oriented, value-based pricing model.

Q: Will there be a transition period if my institution’s fees change?

A: We will work with each institution to minimize disruption.  In order distribute the change associated with this new model most fairly, and ensure that no one institution or group of institutions subsidizes this transition for any other, to put every institution on model over a period of time; it may take some time to fully accomplish this, and we look forward to working with you directly to best navigate the path to a truly web-oriented, value-based pricing model.

Q: Are there multi-year agreements available, as have been in the past?

A: This is something to work out with your sales representative.  It’s certainly reasonable to arrange a multi-year agreement if it’s of mutual benefit.

Q: Will print subscriptions cost the same as electronic subscriptions?  Will I still get a discount if I maintain both versions?

A: Print pricing is being de-coupled from electronic pricing:  electronic prices are determined based on a value-based computation while print pricing will be based on traditional factors such as page counts and postage costs.  There will be an increasing difference, across tiers, between the prices for print and electronic copies of our journals.  Customers taking the electronic version of any journal will continue to have the option of taking a print copy at a substantial savings.

Q: Will I be able to cancel duplicate print subscriptions?

A: YES.  That’s one of the key elements of this new model, one of the driving forces behind the change:  you’ll no longer be asked to pay for duplicate subscriptions just because you happened to carry them in years past.  You’ll be charged for one copy of each electronic journal you wish to carry – no more, no less – based on your tier and sub-tier assignment.

Q: Have any of your other policies changed along with the pricing model -- for example, will your Archives pricing be modified?

A: No, pricing for the ACS Legacy Archives will remain the same – you may pay an annual subscription fee or make a one-time payment with a small annual maintenance fee.  Pricing for Chemical and Engineering News Online, as well as our Division Proceedings volumes, Reagent Chemicals Handbook, and so on, will not be affected by this new model.

Q: Do I need a new license, or an addendum of some kind, for 2008?

A: No new license is required, as the basic terms and conditions governing usage of ACS journals and the basic relationship between your institution and ACS remain the same.  The only change is in the pricing model, and we would be happy to execute an amendment to our existing license to account for the new fees associated with access to our journals.  Please contact your sales representative and/or our Library Sales Specialist, who co-ordinates licensing-related activity for ACS, for further information.

Q: May I pick and choose my subscriptions?

A: Yes.  The new discounting structure will allow customers who choose to take only a selection of our journals to receive varying discounts, meaning that if you’re not interested in adding a new title, you won’t have to subscribe in order to retain your price break (note, however, that these new discounting levels, as well as our entry-level pricing for new journals, may make it very attractive for you to consider adding more titles to your package).  And pricing for new journals will be modified going forward, to make trying them out more attractive.  However, in the spirit of maintaining our close working relationship with consortia, within single-bill groups the expectation will be that access is consistent across the entire (participating) membership.

Q: May I continue to take print subscriptions to individual journals?

A: It’s up to you:  you may take print subscriptions at a deeply-discounted rate.

Q: How is usage counted?

A: The ACS is COUNTER-compliant, so we abide by their rules and procedures.  You may visit the COUNTER web site for details about their methodology.

Q: I get messages about illegal downloads and have even had access suspended -- are these downloads counted?  Can you change your blocking threshold so the message appears after fewer downloads?  I don’t think I should be punished for illegal downloads.

A: We don’t intend to “punish” anyone, but it’s a mutual responsibility to maintain secure access policies and procedures.  We don’t know for sure if any usage is legitimate or not before the usage takes place – so we make judgments based on experience.  Sometimes what we assume is illegal is actually legitimate use, albeit not in conformance with our terms and conditions – and therefore should be counted; others, it’s the result of hacking from unauthorized users and arguably should not.  We’ll work with you to assess each situation as fairly as possible.

Q: If the usage model is the way to go why isn't C&EN included?

A: Chemical and Engineering News is a newsmagazine sent to our entire membership.  As such, with a different editorial mission, feature set, and business model, it doesn’t fall under the same umbrella as our traditional print journal program.  So, it won’t be affected by this new model – it’s both published and used differently.

Q: May I still order through my agent, or do I have to order directly from ACS?

A: You may order either way.  Subscription agents will confirm pricing with ACS before sending firm order information to subscribers and/or ACS will send a copy of your invoice amount to your attention if you authorize payments via an agent so you have a record of all pricing.  It’s up to you:  you have the option to order via an agent, a consortium, or directly.  We have no exclusive sales agreements with any vendor, anywhere in the world.