The Kinko's Threat

"They're really focusing a lot of time with these sales people and account managers trying to get this preferred vendor status," says Crist.

At the same time, he adds, Kinko's erroneously told one of his staff members doing an anonymous price check that Kinko's had a contract with MSU. It also mass mailed a brochure implying the same, he says. MSU's purchasing department has since talked with Kinko's, he adds.