Nancy, senior buyer at the Northfield Unified School District purchasing department, sat reflecting on a purchase requisition (P.R) she has just received. The P.R called for 1000 model 2012 classroom armchairs manufactured by the Twins-burg Chair Company. The P.R was requested by Bet Burns, instructor, and authorized by Rudolf Rupp, principal. Sufficient funds and the budget class were cited. A copy of a sales agreement for the chairs was attached. The price was $120 per chair, Free on Board (F.O.B) Northfield. Nancy reviewed three other chairs suppliers catalogues and learned that nearly identical chairs were available F.O.B Northfield at prices ranging from $40 to $43.
Nancy called Bet Burns and asked whose idea it was to specify the Twins-burg chairs, mentioning that this chair was nearly three times as expensive as three comparable chairs. Bet responded in her Georgia draw,' "Why Nancy darling' the superintendent's cabinet decided that at last week's meeting. They said that they wanted the best there was for our young people"
Nancy thanked Bet for the information. Based on past experience with the superintendent's cabinet, she knew that it would be futile to get authorization to buy the less expensive chairs. In a resigned manner, she called the Twins-burg representative and requested him to visit her to discuss the terms of the purchase.
Something did not seem right-but Nancy seemed powerless to do anything about it.
QUESTIONS
1. What courses of action are open to Nancy?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
3. Write a policy for the school focusing on early purchasing involvement.