Checkbook or textbook?
Searching for cheaper textbooks
Ashley Paulson
Issue date: 1/28/10 Section: Opinions
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According to the Lakeland bookstore manager, Kim Kraus, "Textbook prices are set by the publisher." Kraus stated that she does speak with faculty about reusing textbooks each semester in an effort to keep prices down for students. The Lakeland bookstore is partnered with Follett; however, they were unavailable for comment at the time of print.
It is obvious that book prices can be a little outrageous. There are places that students can access to order new or used textbooks, such as Amazon.com, Half.com, and Cheapesttextbooks.com. Students can also rent textbooks for merely a portion of the expense that it would cost to purchase the books new from the bookstore.
The most well-known website for purchasing new and used textbooks is Amazon.com. From personal experience, Amazon is an easy, quick, and stress-free process. Textbooks can be purchased new directly from Amazon. Also, books can be purchased either new or used from third-party sellers who list on Amazon. Often times, the used textbooks are a fraction of what the new prices of the books are. This semester, I saved over $100 on textbooks by purchasing them through Amazon, versus what I would have paid for the same new or used textbook at the Lakeland bookstore.
There is a downside to purchasing books through Amazon. When buying used textbooks, you don't get to physically see the textbook; you are relying on the word of the seller that the text is in the condition described, although seller ratings can be used as a safeguard. Secondly, when buying used, the textbook is shipped from a third party, so there is always the risk that the book may not be sent quickly or not sent at all.
When it comes to the end of the semester, students can sell their books on Amazon. It's easy, and in the past, I've successfully sold my used books. Upon selling, all that has to be done is to ship it to the buyer, and then you receive your payment. I have found that I will generally receive more money for my textbooks selling them on Amazon versus what I would receive by selling them back to the bookstore.
This sounds simple and great, but again, there are risks involved with selling textbooks on Amazon. By selling your used book on Amazon at the end of the semester, there is a chance of the textbook not being purchased. This leaves you stuck with a textbook that could serve as nothing better than a paperweight. If you had sold it back to the bookstore during buyback week, you would have had the book out of your hands and, most importantly, the cash for your book. Also, selling your textbook back to the Lakeland bookstore is hassle-free, versus having to list your book on Amazon, then waiting for it to sell, plus the hassle of packaging and shipping the textbook out. This decision might be risky, but if you take a chance, you could wind up with more money in your wallet.
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