Students see rental, Internet as bookstore alternatives
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 01/15/2009
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They call students "poor college kids" for a reason, so many are turning to online textbook purchasing due to the routinely better deals.
With the new semester beginning, online and on-campus bookstores make their case to buying customers.
Scott Laming, director of public relations for BookFinder.com, which he describes as "a Google for books," said the market of students turning to online book purchasing is becoming larger every year, which leads to lower prices.
"On a whole, it does increase every year," Laming said. "Because they are doing that, the prices are becoming more and more competitive."
Laming said that because students can compare everyone's prices within seconds, sellers have to be more conscious of their prices.
He advises students to start shopping early � the sooner the books are purchased, the better the price and cheaper the shipping � and to check all sources to make sure they are receiving the best deals for buying and selling. Also, students can ask professors if older editions are sufficient, because they are usually cheaper.
Online textbook buying isn't the only option anymore, however: There are now book rentals. Jeff Sherwood, CEO of bigwords.com, advised students to be aware of the other options.
"(Web sites) support rentals; we think it's a great alternate," he said. "What it does is it's similar to purchasing used and selling it at the end and getting a portion of money back, but with rentals you never have to come up with full amount up front."
Although the market has increased, there is still an impersonal factor that comes with online purchasing, and that fact alone is why Tom Frey, store manager of University Bookstore, said his store has not seen a decline in book sales.
"There is actually an extension of the sales because a lot of people end up having to come in and get the right book later," Frey said.
He warns students to be aware of scams, such as the case of Nicholas Baptist, a former Purdue student who was indicted for conning his online customers out of more than $5 million.
However, smaller stores, like West Lafayette's Von's Books, have seen a decline in sales.
"Often students come by and get the ISBN number and we never hear from them again," said Fred Smith, a Von's employee.
It is a tough market, and the number of students purchasing textbooks online is expected to rise.
"They are always looking for the cheaper deal online," Smith said.