2009 BLM Manual (Cheapest Price)

I'm pretty sure that ACSM has an exclusive deal with BLM. They would probably sell more than twice as many at half that price.

ACSM offered quantity discounts to state societies and other member organizations and many took them up on it. CLSA was one, AL another. If you are a member of one of those state organizations you can buy a copy at substantial discounts.

Check around, even if you aren't a member you may be able to get a friend who is to buy you one.

Is it being required for a course? Just curious as to why you think you need one.

- jerry

Hmmm. If we could get enough interested parties, I could probably purchase a few boxes at the bulk discount prices and pass the savings on to you guys... 40% discount on 3-5 boxes and 60% discount on 6 boxes or more. Each box contains 8 books. So if there are at least 48 interested people here, I could probably sell them for around $90-95 each plus shipping. That would cover the cost of ACSM shipping them to me plus a little beer money for the site. 🙂

Of course, we'd throw in a couple BeerLeg stickers for good measure... 😉

Check for yourself, of course. Maybe they will offer a bulk-rate discount. However, I think that their stste-society discount was an introductory-rate amd that even they can no longer get the discount rate. But I may be wrong.

Their eStore shows discount rates for bulk orders.

Ok, I have just sent an email to the person in charge of bulk orders asking if I can work a deal with them to get a bulk discount. So, if you haven't already purchased a manual but think you may be interested, stay tuned! I'm hoping to hear something by Monday and maybe we can get a special rate. 🙂

Adam is correct. Originally, the bulk rate was a pre-publication offer to state societies only and many did take advantage of the offer.

However, the manuals haven't sold as expected. ACSM bookstore sales last year were only about 30% of the budgeted amount. Hence (I speculate) the revised discount policy.

BLM Manual Revised Discount Policy

CLSA prices

Member price shipping and tax included 96.5
non member shipping and tax included 115.13

count me in here for 1

we would need 48 oders to get the 40% discount

happy new year

Ah yes, discounts aren't quite as good as before. Well, I guess we'll see what they have to say about making a deal with us. I was thinking if I collected the funds and the shipping addresses and then just delivered that to them in a bulk order, maybe they would ship them out individually. It's less hassle for them overall.

I also offered up some other services in exchange for a really good rate.

Thanks for all of the replies.

Jerry,

"Is it being required for a course? Just curious as to why you think you need one."

No, it's not required for a course. Also, I'm a construction surveyor, so I don't actually have to have one. I'm just getting one to broaden my general surveying knowledge.

I found the CLSA order form (thanks, Dane).

> I'm just getting one to broaden my general surveying knowledge.

Jeff - just in view of saving money, if broadening your surveying knowledge is the primary motive, maybe consider just downloading the 1973 manual in pdf format? Cost to do so is zero. Course then its digital instead of hard copy which may or may not be an advantage depending on your preference.

Frankly, I am curious why someone is questioning why he wants a BLM manual. It seems to me something that should be on every surveyor's shelf.

i'm not questioning why he wants one, in fact i commend him on it. just thought maybe he could save his money for simply seeking to broaden his knowledge. I have yet to hear anyone say the 2009 manual is so vastly advanced or changed from the '73 manual that even non-practioners in that area of surveying should buck up the dough for a copy, overpriced as it truly is.

Hi Butch,

Thanks for the recommendation, but I'd prefer the hard-copy. I like to highlight and write notes, etc..

The problem is basically this-

We all think that the only source of the BLM Manual is the BLM. But they have no right to copyright anything. So how can they charge so much?

The public has already paid the price for the production, it's just that the Government Printing Office can't seem to print it as cheaply as, say, OfficeMax or Staples, etc.

If you could get it in electronic format, many online services would be happy to print it for you, hardbound, and deliver it for a lot less than $125.

Wendell,

I need to get a copy as well. Count me in for one.

Jimmy

Well, I haven't made a deal with them yet, per se, but I'll let you know if I do. 🙂

I have no idea why folks think that if we borrow money to fund the government, that it means things like the creating and printing of the manual have been paid for and we should get it for free. No it has not been paid for, no one wants to pay taxes for anything.

No free lunch

Dane

It's already paid for and the US Government cannot copyright it.

That is how it has been since 1796.

If you have a problem with that, take it up with your Representative and Senators and get the Constitution amended. And move it to politics and religion.