E-commerce - Big Interest, Little Action

"If I'm dealing with an unknown printer, he knows I'm only with him for price," adds LSU's Loyd. "What kind of allegiance do they have to me?"

But customers who have used print auction sites say bid-winning printers have put forth extra effort to please them and get their future business.

"I've been extremely pleased," reports Dennis Esser, coordinator of publications at Northwest Missouri State University. He used 58K.com to find a printer willing to meet his price and turnaround requirements. The printer was several states away, but Esser says the service was great.