And yet more tales from Textbook Hell

[jedimaster91]

Of course, I'm at the point in my academic career that I keep all of my books.

Same here. And they're freakin expensive books, too. Although my last two books I got straight through the publisher with a member discount for $85. They retail for around $200 EACH. *huggles SNM membership*

[South Texan]

<Opens the bathroom, and she shoots me a triumphant look as she sails inside...and then I turn on the light>
SC: <Shrieks like I'm murdering her baby> OHMYGODSWHATTHEHELLISTHISMESS!?!?!?!?!
Me: THAT is why I couldn't let you into the bathroom...

Dang it! I violated Rule #1. I should know better when reading your posts.

It is going to take me thirty minutes to recover from the comic image you just painted. I am laughing too hard.

I only wish you had closed the door for her just after you turned on the lights...

[Boggles]

I did a computer course so by the time I graduated, all my text books were too out of date to sell.

I love LP's stories and am so glad I got turned down for the job at the bookstore at uni.

[Chromatix]

I must say that I kept all of my textbooks too. They make good references when I forget something. I look up things on the Internet as well, but sometimes it is explained better in the textbook (and sometimes not, sigh).

But somehow, I don't remember my textbooks being as expensive as most people quote here.

[auntiem]

Whomever designed the scratch off coupon has obviously never worked retail - just the very first discription of it made me cringe knowing what was going to happen. So either they are an complete idiot or they have worked in retail and are a sadist (not in a good way either). I suggest finding that person and giving them a paper cut with each and every coupon that comes to your line pre-scratched or otherwise unusable.

[Buglady]

I generally get the best prices by going to the student union bookstores, but I got messed up by the closure this time! But tomorrow I'm going to run up to the university; the student union bookstore there is showing 3 of the books I need - correct editions even! - for 30% less than the used price at my college bookstore. *crossing fingers*

Even if the newer editions aren't there, I'll be OK (and may end up paying less than $100 for everything) - I can compensate for having one edition back from the current one by reading chapters at home, then double checking the new edition in the library. Luckily I read very quickly so this is realistic for me.

I keep almost all of my textbooks for reference. It's just sticker shock... I will get some scholarship money a little later in the semester, as my award was more than my tuition, but in the meantime it's a bit tight.

I've been doing this a looooong time.... (started 1st undergrad year in 1991).

[Eric the Grey]

You can still sell back textbooks, but you're DAMN lucky to get 50% of what you paid for it, if you sell it back to the bookstore. I'm sure it would be possible to get more via e-bay or other places, but that's just too much trouble.

Of course, I'm at the point in my academic career that I keep all of my books.

The community college system out here will buy back books at about 20% the original cost (if that) and resell them for the next semester, providing there is not a new edition for it. If there is, they won't buy them back at all.

Most often, it makes sense to simply try to sell them to other students the following semester. This saves the person buying the book some cash, and you get a bit more than the bookstore would have given you.



Eric the Grey
[has to go in next week and check into buying the Adobe suite... ]

[lupo pazzesco]

Yeah, buyback prices DO suck, I agree with all of you. I've worked two textbook jobs in two different schools. (Masochistic little thing, ain't I?) And at the first one, when I decided to move, I sold back about 3 years worth of chemistry texts, and was lucky to get a little over $100. For $5-600 worth of books.

I moved to my new city, changed majors, etc, and worked the actual buyback counter myself, and was surprised. Yeah, we don't give the full price back, but my company does have a pretty decent system set up. If the schools we serve are using the book and our need is high, we'll give anywhere from 50-60% of the original price back. So, a $120 textbook can and has been bought back for $60-70. Makes people happy. Plus we usually run promotions during big buyback periods, too, that add money back to the buyback totals. If we're not using the book it goes back to our warehouse for 30-40% of the price back.

But then, my store is a division of one of the 3 main used book companies in the country, so I guess we can be a little more generous, since what we don't use at our store is going to be used at another store in the corporation somewhere else in the world.

I meant to post the shenanigans from last night, but was too tired. And right now, I'm off to go apply for graduation, run the graduation check with my advisor, then wage war with financial aid. All before I go to class and then work. It should be a FUN post tonight, my friends, just in case any of ya'll were wondering...