Thanks for chiming in at Smallfirmville. Our contrasting experiences may simply have something to do with our representatives. Mine have always been transparent and have helped me find ways to save money.

Also, I think of Westlaw the same way I think about air conditioning in the summer. I’m so thankful to have it that price really isn’t an issue.

In any case, feel free to call me if you want to compare notes on pricing, plans or representatives.

Warmest regards,

Marshall

Yes, the Pricing Schedule you received should show you two prices, one for out of plan pricing and one for QuickView (or in plan) pricing. If you aren’t sure, just email me and I’ll send you the one I have showing you the charges. The QV pricing for search is pretty low (considering it is all databases), and it is much lower than some of the other numbers thrown around like $50 or $60 per search, which is more in line with the out of plan search charges.

I was able to take only a quick look at the Subscriber Agreement and Schedule A that I received in the mail last week. Aren’t the Schedule A prices applicable only when you go outside your WestlawNext subscription plan?

Talking about subscription plans, a week ago I asked my Westlaw rep how much my plan components will cost now that their “introductory” pricing has expired. At the end of last week, the rep gave me the pricing for each of the proposals as a whole, but did not provide a plan breakdown, as I had requested. I’m still waiting for further details and will report back once I receive them.

I’m afraid you’ve been baited. I suggest you not approve anymore of “Steven B’s” comments as he is simply a troll, something that Jaron Lanier has warned us about in “You Are Not a Gadget.” The more you allow Mr. B to pollute the comments, the less effective this post becomes, regardless of your desire to engage him or her. He/She is not adding anything to the debate on whether WestlawNext is appropriately priced given the fact that there is no market to determine MSRP. We all understand what we are dealing with, and I think the latest Pricing Schedule released by Thomson Reuters makes the pricing (and it’s effects) painfully clear.

Please keep up the good work and continue to offer your ever so informative insights. You have obviously done your homework, and any intellegent attorney can truly benefit from your experiences.

FYI – Your likening Westlaw to buying a car with an MSRP couldn’t be more rediculous. And as far as it being a “web product and should be bought on the web” is even more rediculous. Most of the comments here are so far off, that one has to wonder where their degrees are from. Mail order? It seems a law degree should be able to be purchased on the web.

Moreover, calling the 45% off that West regularly offers off the price of a one-year contract to those willing to sign up for three years is mere semantics. Perhaps a more accurate term would be “volume discount.” Plenty of businesses give standard volume discounts to entice customers to buy more or sign longer contracts.

I’m writing to point out that the “45% discount!!!!!” that Steven seems so happy about is actually the standard discount extended to anyone who signs a three-year contract (as opposed to a one-year contract).