Explanation

Price setting mechanisms fall into two main categories: fixed and variable. A fixed price mecha-nism is a straightforward concept which typically results in a relatively stable budget that can be forecast. Variable mechanisms have an element of variable pricing per unit bought.

Setting a fixed price mechanism is in theory a relatively simple and straightforward concept, where the collector and the buyer agree on a fixed price for a specific material or mix of materials, for a certain length of time.

All other pricing mechanisms that are not fixed have an element of variable pricing per unit bought.

The most common variable pricing mechanisms can be divided into two groups:

1. Where the benefit accruing to the buyer from acquiring the material is used to calculate what the payment to the seller should be; or Approaches to Materials Sales: A guide for local authorities

2. Where the price paid is indexed to a published source of market price information. The above scenario demonstrates variable pricing mechanism using published sources on inflation rate and exchange rate. CIPS also refers this mechanism as adjustable prices.