Though not as obvious to customers as the customer service glitches, it is this blending that has resulted in occasional faulty products and shipments. Production of 4,000 products and shipping of 22,000 separate shipments from a single site is a gigantic enterprise, which the CRIV was able to appreciate during an extensive tour of the printing plant, warehouse, and archives. It is a challenging product for the West plant. As for the customer bottom line, West pledges moderate price increases and careful assessment in setting any prices. Elements taken into account in pricing are cost, value, competition, page count, contractual obligations, and newness of the product.
Product managers make decisions on pricing within discretionary authority.
Though the projected increases in paper products may be viewed by some as moderate, for most law libraries they will probably exceed annual increases in budget. CD-ROM products will likely hold the line as far as increases. Electronic purchasing and price information will soon be available for many products. Despite growing pains, West Group has developed over 170 new products and 50 new or revised text since the merger. Purchases can be made online using a credit card or a West Group account number.