This week's stories:
Get more for your textbook buck
By Laura Drahushak "They need to have more used books," stresses Jeff Bell, a sophomore business major who paid $389.90 for books this semester. "Why do professors need to keep changing the edition?" Kylie Umscheid, a freshman journalism/mass communication major said, "I don't think the price of books is fair." She spent $219 this semester on books. "They need to remember it is students who they are selling to and students can't afford expensive books," she said. Josh Paine, a junior computer science major who spent $97.50 for books this semester said, "I do feel the cost of books is a little high for the amount they are used. A lot of the time, I don't get my money's worth. After paying over $400 last semester, I now only buy books in my major." Lindsay Loper, a sophomore social-science major, who paid $260 this semester said, "The purchasing prices are reasonable. But I don't feel their returning policy is fair. They pay less on certain days than others and what you get back is small compared to what they sell it for," she said. These comprise just a few of the concerns heard at the beginning and end of each semester. Frustrated students crowding the check-out counter complain about the price, availability of used books and the amount of money they are paid back. But what is actually to be done? And who is to blame? "I'm not sure how exactly it works but I think both the bookstore and professors are responsible for the price of books," said Umscheid. "The school of business is to blame," Bell said, "because they keep changing their editions." The reason is much more complicated and can be attributed to more than one source. "The price of the book is actually determined by many factors. Publishers, authors, shipping, printing as well as the store itself, all take a percentage of the final cost," said Drew Franczak, SBU bookstore manager. "Follet Higher Education rents the space from St. Bonaventure and is located in approximately 620 places." "The price of books is determined mostly by publishers and wholesalers who Follet purchases books from," Franczak said. "The first thing I look at when determining the cost of a book is how much people are willing to pay," said Ed Avis, president of Marion Street Press Company Inc., a small publishing company that publishes journalism books. "After that I must pay the author an advance in the royalties and as well as marketing, editing, production and any art or copyrights. If after that I can still make a profit, I will print a book." Denny Wilkins, associate professor of journalism and mass communication said, "I think students should get their money's worth (from a textbook). When considering a textbook I look at: will I get through the book, who is the author and can I get it in paperback? I think a book in excess of $15 is too much. "Students need to take the initiative in buying books," Wilkins said. "If they ask their professors what books are needed at the end of each semester, they can shop around for better deals. By buying books at the bookstore, students are saying they are willing to pay extra money for the convenience of having a bookstore on campus. Other-wise, they need to explore other options." "I am willing to pay any amount for a book as long as I benefit from it," said Zoe Payne, a junior sociology major. "It is my advice that students should check Web sites, or with other students to find competitive prices," said Avis. "Buying directly from a publisher is actually more expensive than going to your campus book store, with postage." Amazon.com is the leading Web site for book purchases, but in comparison with the SBU bookstore the prices were almost even. "Principles of Economics" by Robert Frank and Ben Bernanke costs $108.75 at the SBU bookstore. On Amazon the price is $108.65 but also with $3.49 in shipping and handling with 4 to 14 days in delivery. "Calculus, Early Transenden-tals" by James Stewart costs $131.50 new at the bookstore and at Amazon it costs $130.95 plus shipping. Bargains can be found in the used section of Amazon.com. The Principles of Economics for example can be found as cheap as $60 compared to $81.75 used at the SBU bookstore. Description of the books can be found beside the books. However, with a book like "The Intellectual Journey," an anthology of short stories, buying the larger books instead can prove more costly even used. If you were to purchase every book with a selection from the Intellectual Journey text at the cheapest used prices it would cost a bare minimum of $339.03, according to prices by Amazon.com. Overall, purchasing books on-line can save you money, but only with patience and time. Students have found other ways to save money. "I sold one of my books to another student for $40," said Jessica Monsees, a sophomore physical education major. "The book store is now selling it for $70. It's good because both the student and I profited." According to Monsees, this isn't difficult. "I just ask around, it's a small campus, word gets around. "Another way I save money is I share one of my books with my roommate," said Monsees. "For the amount of time we use it, it just makes sense to split the cost."
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