Spring Break
Rising textbook prices pinch students wallets
Stephanie Watro
Issue date: 2/3/09 Section: Campus Life
Gallon of milk: $2.19. Full tank of gas: $30. One college textbook: $112. Textbooks for a college level student seem to be getting more expensive every year.
Most students only make use of their textbooks for one semester, unless their books are directly related to their career. Otherwise, they just lay around collecting dust.
According to NCC textbook specialist, Michelle Anfuso, the professors have freedom to choose their books each semester. They can choose from vendors such as Piearson and McGraw. The college then orders the books to sell to the students.
The bookstore does buy back textbooks from students at 40 percent of the original cost, Anfuso said. Madeline Collis, a full-time student studying communication, sold back her textbooks last semester and received about $170. This is pocket change compared to what Collis spent on her books. What makes the situation more frustrating is that the college then re-sells the used books for a lot more than the students receive on book-buy-back day.
While the bookstore has a right to make a profit, they seem to be taking advantage of students because it is obvious that students need their products. What students need to know is that there are other resources where they can buy their texts to save money. Also, it may be helpful for students to talk to their professors about books they may not need for class and whether an older edition will be efficient.
If anyone is looking to a save a dollar, they can order their textbooks online at half.com, ebay.com or amazon.com or buy from another student.
Most students only make use of their textbooks for one semester, unless their books are directly related to their career. Otherwise, they just lay around collecting dust.
According to NCC textbook specialist, Michelle Anfuso, the professors have freedom to choose their books each semester. They can choose from vendors such as Piearson and McGraw. The college then orders the books to sell to the students.
The bookstore does buy back textbooks from students at 40 percent of the original cost, Anfuso said. Madeline Collis, a full-time student studying communication, sold back her textbooks last semester and received about $170. This is pocket change compared to what Collis spent on her books. What makes the situation more frustrating is that the college then re-sells the used books for a lot more than the students receive on book-buy-back day.
While the bookstore has a right to make a profit, they seem to be taking advantage of students because it is obvious that students need their products. What students need to know is that there are other resources where they can buy their texts to save money. Also, it may be helpful for students to talk to their professors about books they may not need for class and whether an older edition will be efficient.
If anyone is looking to a save a dollar, they can order their textbooks online at half.com, ebay.com or amazon.com or buy from another student.
Be the first to comment on this story