Hit: Mackin

["Sands, Michele" <MSands@ECFS.ORG>]

We are considering changing to Mackin for our book and AV ordering.  We
asked LM_NET for some advice and got lots of it.  Also a request from
others also interested in switching for a hit.
So here it is, practically all positive.  Thanks to everyone who
responded.

Michele Sands
Media Technology Librarian
Ethical Culture Fieldston School
New York, N.Y.
msands@ecfs.org



I have ordered for the past three years from Mackin.  Their processing
is
great. Good cataloging, Mylar covers, free processing and shipping.
They provide a CD-ROM to order from.
I am trying Follett this year because they promise not to backorder and
their CD-ROM is better. Mackin did backorder some.

We used mackin and where very happy with them.  We switched to Follet
when
Follet came out with their cd rom ordering disk.  Well, Now Makin has
one
as well.  I will run back to Mackin.

I started using Mackin a couple of years ago and spread the word to all
of the elementary library personnel about how pleased I am with their
service, and their feedback has been all positive too. Mackin's response
time seems to be more prompt than other jobbers and they call you if
they have questions regarding processing. I like them and use them
exclusively.

I can't say enough good about Mackin.  I have gone back and forth
between Baker and Taylor and Follett for 20 years...I opened a new
library four years ago and I used these two jobbers.  A library friend
told me about Mackin and it is truly the best!  When you call, you get a
REAL person, who answers your questions immediately.  When you order,
you get a CONFIRMATION # and they encourage calls to check on the
orders.  Cataloging comes at the same time as the books and is 99%!
Absolutely NO SHIPPING OR CATALOGING CHARGES!  90-95%fill rate--What
more could you ask for.

When I was still a practicing media specialist, I went w/ Mackin
exclusively. I was impressed by pretty much everything they did.

In my opinion, Mackin is too go to be true.  I have been totally
satisfied with their service.  I recommend them highly.

They are reliable but slow because they try to fill all orders.  Their
discounts are only around 20% and in many  cases none at all.

I have used Mackin for a several orders this past year.  Two years ago I
would have said they had poor service, but in the last year they have
been really been helpful.  A couple of things have come up.  I had a "do
not exceed" on an order including T & T.  This was misread at their end
and the order went over--due to tax charged in our state.  I had no
money
left in the book budget code.  Mackin graciously refunded me the $43+
tax
and faxed me a copy of the credit memo so I could have paperwork with
the
district office.

On another order a couple of books were duplicated and not caught.  When
I called they said "keep the books," but asked for additional titles to
fill the order.  They have continued to track the order until I was
satisfied.

To me, this  is the way all of our vendors should be.  They respond to
our human requests and errors..  I am most satisfied with MACKIN and
will
continue to use them in the future.  They also have wonderful and
gracious telephone manners.

I have been very happy with Mackin as a jobber. I especially like their
service over the phone. They are always easy to get hold of and very
friendly and are always able to answer my questions immediately. Try
them,
I think you'll like them.

I've used Mackin for the last several years and have no complaints.


        I just opened a new library this year, and tried Mackin for my
Opening
Day collection.  They are very good to work with, even though I hear
that their prices are higher than Ingram (a company I never tried).
They accomodated all my wishes, and the books came cataloged and
processed beautifully.  Sometimes they took a little long to fill an
order, but my orders were very big this year, so I figured that that had
something to do with the wait.  Like I said, I've never tried Ingram, so
I can't tell you if they are better or not, but I'm going to stay with
Mackin right now because I need someone I can depend on.

I have lots of experience with Mackin.  They are located about 25 miles
south of here, so I have not only talked to them on the phone, but have
also visited them on site.  They do a wonderful job.  They will bend
over backwords to please and try very hard to make your ordering process
as painless and quick as possible.  Their prices may not be quite as
good as some other places, but it is well worth my time to pay a little
more for the quality of cataloging, the perfect processing, and being
able to order all things through one source.  They also have a way to do
all of this electronically, if you are interested.  Please try them even
for a small order to see how you like them.  Even as they are growing,
they keep their quality up.

Yes, I've ordered from them since about 1978.  Not always the best
prices
but always the best service and lots of help from the staff.  I've been
pleased with the cataloging most of the time and now with the automated
system it's easy to change.  They are able to get most things that I
want
in print and non-print and will hold on to titles until I have the money
to pay.  Randy and Kitty and the rest of the staff  go the extra mile.

        I've been using Mackin for two years now and find them to be an
excellent
company - fast, responsive, accurate, and with an exceptionally high
"fill
rate".  Most important to me, their phone is answered by a REAL, LIVE
PERSON!  Not a machine - used by all other vendors, to the best of my
knowledge.  This saves me much time and irritation.  I think Mackin is
super!

I've used Mackin, and love them. Lots of personal contact, will work to
find any title in print, and will match and price of other publishers.
they
also have free processing/shipping coupons in their catalogs! what more
could we ask for?

I have used Mackin for at least 4 years. They are great! Very
personable and helpful.

        One of the things I really like is that they can provide
materials from
countless companies. I have eliminated most other purchase orders by
using Mackin. With larger orders cataloging & processing have been free
with coupons they provide and I have found their prices some of the best
around. If I need a price on a book, I just call and they do the hunting
for me. They provide price quotes and recently provided their catalog on
CD.

        I've also used their prebinding service and have been very
happy.

        My Follett rep tries to put them down, but he can't match their
free
cataloging of AV.

        Service is always top notch. They are friendly when I call, will
get
back to me ASAP and go above and beyond as far as I'm concerned.

        Give them a try,

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