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document.write('Margie,');
document.write('Thank you for this interesting article. I have been out of the private sector as a print buyer since 1990 and have been working for the state of Wisconsin as a print buyer. Legally, I have to award to the lowest bidder and the bids are open to the public. Initially, that was hard to get used to since I didn’t have to follow this protocal when I purchased print for the private sector. But now I find this to be the fairest way to bid and award a job. I wouldn’t do it any other way if I went back to the private sector.');
document.write('I have learned that the majority of print vendors unfortunately do play the price game even when they aren’t given the opportunity! Even when a printer knows the legalities in which we opporate, I have still had reps ask what they can do to win a job. It seems that the nature of the industry is to be so aggressive with the price that when they do win a job, they aren’t making a healthy profit or any profit at all. I have often felt that the printing industry has created their own “dog eat dog” world out there.  As an employee for the state, I often share with our vendors that the state doesn’t want to see them lose money but would like to see their company make a profit.  Even though the award is based on the price (with all playing fields equal) a vendor still should bid on a job so that a profit is made, regardless. If more print vendors opporated this way and didn’t always try to “out bid” their competition, maybe the industry would prosper in a healthier way. ');
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document.write('Barbara');
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document.write('University Communications');
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