Loyalty fee

[Selma Aslan <selmaslan@yahoo.co.uk>]

Hi All,

Looking at the cost sharing model used for a particular product 
within a particular consortium it is identified that considerable 
variations exist among amounts paid by institutions of similar 
nature. When this was queried the explanation was loyalty fee, 
i.e., being an older member of the consortium. The difference 
grows over the years and adjustment has become inevitable. But of 
course this should be done without causing disturbance.

My questions are (a) is loyalty fee a common practice?-- I have 
not come across it in any written source yet and would love to be 
directed. --, (b) If yes, what would be regarded as an acceptable 
ratio?

Thanks

Selma Aslan
Turkey