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From the Bookstore
We strive to offer our students a variety of options when purchasing their textbooks.
Our goal is to provide you with the edition that's right for you, based on:
Price
Condition
Format
Overall cost of ownership
We've kept in mind the importance of both savings and quality of materials, while never losing sight of the fact that you've got to have the most current information available for your courses.
Right now is an exciting time for students when it comes to purchasing textbooks. Even more options than ever before are now available to you as a result of recent technology advances in customized printed materials, digital formats such as e-Books, and online purchasing through your bookstore's website. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with your textbook options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here you'll find answers to some common questions concerning textbooks.
Q. How much should I budget for textbooks?
The answer varies from student to student based on the following:
Number of classes taken
Field of study
Professors' requirements
Additional supplies needed
While actual costs vary, in its July 2005 report, the Government Accountability Office estimated a cost of $898 for one year's worth of books and supplies for a first-time, full-time student at a four-year private institution during the academic year of 2003-2004. This does not take into account the total cost of textbook ownership, which can be drastically reduced when students sell their books back to the bookstore at the end of the term.
Q. Why do some textbooks cost so much, sometimes upwards of $100 each?
Unlike novels or books published for a general-interest audience, textbooks are highly specialized publications that are produced in much smaller quantities, which drives up the cost per unit. Adding to the cost is the fact that producing a textbook requires a great deal more time, effort, and research than doing so for a general-interest title. Most textbooks have many illustrations, charts, graphs, and photos; these necessary additions can be costly to produce. Your professors have chosen your textbooks carefully, and they believe the books they have selected are crucial to your educational development and professional future. For these reasons, textbooks should be considered an investment in your success.
Q. What determines the price of a textbook?
The breakdown of the cost of a new textbook, according to data gathered and presented in a 2007 National Association of College Stores report is shown as follows:
Publisher Expenses/Production Costs: 57.3%
Bookstore Expenses: 18%
Author Income: 11.6%
Publisher Income: 7%
College Store Income: 4.4% pre-tax
Freight: 1.7%
Q. What is textbook buyback?
Textbook Buyback is a bookstore-sponsored event that takes place at the end of the term in an effort to recycle titles that will be used in the future. Buyback is a triple-win situation where you get cash for selling your books, bookstores get in-demand used titles to put on their shelves, and future students are offered money saving used editions next term. Buying and selling used books benefits everyone involved by cutting costs and reducing the environmental strain of additional textbook printing.
Q. What determines which books are being bought back and how much cash you'll receive for them?
Whether or not the book is being used next term
The condition of the book
Whether or not there is a new edition of the book
Course enrollment numbers for next term
Whether or not the book has all of its components (CD's, kits, etc., if applicable)
Buyback at the Bookstore
Tip: Know the Deal Up Front
Recently, private companies and websites have become involved in buying back textbooks. These buyers claim to give students more money for their books, but that’s not always the case, nor does it take into consideration that the payment is not instant, not cash, and that students may have to spend time and money shipping their books to the buyer. Know the deal up front and don’t take chances with your money. In terms of buyback payment and service, these third parties can’t beat your school’s bookstore.
Types of Textbooks
New Books
(Textbooks with No Extra Components)
New books are the glittering envy of all other textbooks as they’re in perfect condition and have never been read. If a new book is packaged with additional items, such as a workbook, CD, kit, etc., then it is considered a “bundle” or “custom publication,” which has an entirely different set of pros and cons from the text-only edition.
Pros:
Perfect condition
No previous highlighting, notes, or underlining
No wear and tear or pizza or coffee stains
Often has buyback value at the end of the term
Can be purchased at the bookstore using cash, check, credit card, student charge, or financial aid
Cons:
Highest retail price of all types of textbooks
Used Books
(Textbooks with No Extra Components)
Used books are slightly weathered, yet they may be thought of as distinguished, experienced and worldly. They can usually be identified by a small yellow "USED" sticker on the spine. Used books can have minor scrapes and marks from the previous owner, but they are generally in good condition.
Pros:
Cheaper retail price than the new equivalent
Often has buyback value at the end of the term
If the previous owner was a good student who made notes in the book, you can see what he or she found important
Recycles books already in existence
Can be purchased at the bookstore using cash, check, credit card, student charge, or financial aid
Cons:
Damage from previous owners may hinder buyback price
Bundles and Custom Publications
Bundles and custom-published items consist of the textbook plus extras. They’re like the special edition of a DVD. Bundles and custom books can be either new or used, and they contain various types of items (CD's, models, extra readings, etc.) in addition to the core textbook.
Pros:
Benefits from additional learning materials
If being used on your campus and complete with all parts, the buyback price, if any, is usually higher than just the text alone
Can be purchased at the bookstore using cash, check, credit card, student charge, or financial aid
Cons:
Generally higher retail price than new or used textbook
You may not need the added materials, but you pay for them regardless
Depending on the package, there may be no chance of selling it back as a bundle.
eBooks
eBooks (also known as digital textbooks) are the electronic version of the text. Most eBook formats are downloaded to your computer and read from the local hard drive using free reader software, but some are read on a website while you are connected to the Internet.
Pros:
Cheapest retail price of all your options
Computer-enhanced interactive features: searching, highlighting, underlining, note-taking, read-out loud audio, etc.
Can be purchased at the bookstore using cash, check, credit card, student charge, or financial aid
Can be purchased online with a credit card
Cons:
No buyback; the savings are up front and presented at the initial purchase
Can have file restrictions put in place by the publisher (while most eBooks have unlimited printing and no expiration date, some have limitations)
Requires a computer to read the book
Rental Textbooks
Students pay a fee to use rental books and materials for their courses. Books are almost always used. Rental textbooks are not available at all schools.
Pros:
One fee for all your books
Rental fee is sometimes less than purchasing the books
Cons:
The obvious: it's renting, which means that you don't get to keep them
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged books can result in fees and penalties.
No buyback
Textbook Shopping Tips
Check your bookstore’s website for information about when and how you can buy your books. You may even be able to reserve or purchase your books through your school’s online store.
Bring your class schedule or syllabus with you to the bookstore. This way, you can be sure that you’re getting the right books for the right class.
Beat the rush by shopping during the store’s off hours and avoiding busy times. First thing in the morning is a good time to avoid crowds.
Don’t wait until you need the book to buy it. Sometimes titles sell out, and in most cases, if there are extra copies after the initial rush, the bookstore needs to return those unsold books to the supplier. Don’t risk not getting a book because you waited too long.
Make sure you read and understand your bookstore’s returns policy so there are no snags should you drop a class.
When in doubt, ask a bookstore employee for help. He or she can answer your questions and help you get what you need.
Ways to Save
If you don’t need a new copy of the book, and a used copy is available, go for the used and save. Because used books offer great savings, they always sell out first, so you’ll want to hit the bookstore early.
If you have the choice of buying the textbook packaged with the study guide (or some other supplement) or buying just the textbook alone, think carefully about whether or not you need the extra items. Packages can be a good value, but only if you need all of the pieces.
Check your syllabus closely. Are any books listed as “optional”? If so, consider borrowing the optional titles from the library.
If you’re considering buying books online, remember that online sellers may claim big savings, but when you add in shipping and tax, it might actually cost the same or more. Pay attention to the seller’s location, inventory, and shipping policy. These factors can make it so that you won’t receive your book until after you need it. The biggest thing to watch out for when shopping for textbooks over the Internet is the edition status. Many online sellers are able to offer savings by selling outdated editions. Don’t get stuck with the wrong book and find yourself unable to return it.
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