Re: Round 3 with Dave

[Neil Frank <nfrank@mindspring.com>]

>From my experience in dealing with Dave, he often makes unreasonable
initial proposals, perhaps to try to get the most for his side. I believe
his philosophy is: if you dont ask you dont get... and if you ask, they may
be the answer will be yes. 

I suggest that Erik continue to say no, until Dave softens his position or
accepts an AGA counter proposal. From the tenor of the negotiation, it
seems like Dave is definitely interested and committed for the long haul.
On the other hand, I think it is important for AGA to be "reasonable" and
not try to take advantage of Dave. Now on to his last proposal:

>  3. (This is directly from Dave) "I am not sure exactly about this
>  one....... AGA will supply a list (on a one-time only basis) of AGA
>  members who are not PAM subscribers to receive an initial, back-issue
>  shipment of PAMs.  AGA to pay $19 per name to which five back issues will
>  be shipped by PAM.  Or it could be $11.75 per name, three back issues.  
>  Or $15 per name for four.  Or $8 for two.  There are estimated to be about
>  600 AGA members who are not PAM subscribers."
>
>When I asked him about why this point #3, he explained it as a "quid pro
>quo" for the AGA business pages.  I didn't think it was a reasonable
>suggestion, but did promise to take it back to you guys to discuss.  I
>suggested in e-mail that we might be able to SELL back issues to members
>via the bookstore.

I think that offering to sell back issues is a reasonable first counter
proposal. Appear firm and see how he responds. If he says a counter
proposal is needed, here is my suggestion: AGA could buy a number of PAMS
from him for the price that he sells them to stores ($60 for 16, or 3.75
per issue). I really think we can sell a reasonable number at $6.00. Thus
instead of agreeing to send each AGA member 2 issues (for $8 x 600?) and
then have to figure out how to compensate the other 154, we could agree to
initially buy 300 issues (a variety of issue numbers, for total = $1125)
and agree to continue to advertise their availability in TAG. This will
provide him with instant cash and we should eventually get our money back.
Admittedly, a gamble, but no worse than buying some of the other stuff that
is in our inventory. We can then continue to buy them in smaller quantities
as they sell out (to help him, not really us).

Neil
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