Students comparitive shop for semester’s textbooks

Photo by Stephanie Mason.

Raul Herrera/Contributing Writer

The semester has just begun, and so has the rush of getting textbooks on time. College students are always looking for the right book at an affordable price.

“It’s been going crazy, I’ve been looking […] for the cheapest price,” said Roger Paz, junior management major.

There are three popular vendors that FIU students use to obtain their books for their classes: Amazon, the popular online retailer; Chegg, the textbook rental and online student service organization; and the University Bookstore located in the Graham Center.

Students surveyed at random were divided between the three as to which was the best option.

Paz believed that the University Bookstore’s prices were expensive.

“Here in the [University] bookstore, of course, it’s a little bit more expensive [than Amazon or Chegg],” said Paz.

Paz believed that price is the biggest difference between the three vendors.

“The prices are a little bit more [in the University Bookstore] because it means they can get more and more for their pocket,” said Paz, “But it’s not convenient for the students, because we want money too; we don’t want to spend [so much money].”

Michael Sloan, an undeclared freshman, agreed on the cost.

“Probably Amazon,” said Sloan when asked which of the stores he thought was the cheapest.

“I’ve only used Chegg so far. I haven’t looked at Amazon,” said Christy Mercado, another undeclared freshman, who had already purchased one of her books through the service.

“The Everyday Writer” by Andrea A. Lunsford is a book that many freshmen need for their ENC 1101 and 1102 classes. The University Bookstore lists it as being $26.75 for a used copy of the book – with e-text and an access code included – and $35.65 for a new copy. On Amazon, the book alone is listed as being $47.49 or higher for a new copy, and $45.45 or higher for a used copy. Chegg has it at $38.49 to rent a physical copy, $33.99 to purchase the ebook version and $62.99 to purchase a physical copy.

While this data shows that this particular textbook is more expensive in Chegg and Amazon than in the University Bookstore, information on prices for another ENC 1101 and 1102 book, Ramage’s “The Allyn and Bacon Guide To Writing,“ shows that the prices are around the same range, save for rental on Chegg and Amazon, which cost less for students.

Despite his conjecture, Paz did not dismiss buying from the University Bookstore.

“So far, I’ve had to buy one book here because it comes out cheaper, but the other [books] come out cheaper on Amazon, ” Paz said.

Although he believed that Amazon was cheaper than the University Bookstore, Sloan said that he preferred on-campus convenience to price.

“It’s the convenience of this store, that it’s right there. [I can] get my books right here. Amazon takes like a week,” said Sloan.

Mercado said that she did not have any particular preference as to where to buy books.

In all three of the vendors, there are multiple acquisition options offered to each student for an order. Each offers a rental option, a used option or a new option, depending on the availability of the book.

According to Paz, it all depends on the subject material.

“I prefer to buy it [if it is] on my career. If it is outside of my career, then I’ll rent it, because it comes out way cheaper than buying,” said Paz. “I don’t really need it, I’ll just bring it back. [Books] in my career are good, because I can go back and use a reference.”

“I prefer rental or used,” said Sloan, “because it’s definitely cheaper. [I’d only] use new if it’s mandatory.”

– news@fiusm.com

1 Comment on "Students comparitive shop for semester’s textbooks"

  1. I found this new website (iPhone & Android apps) tool for students! It allows students to find another student on their university campus that will need the same textbook next semester, it’s the eHarmony for Textbooks. It prevents students from being ripped off by their own bookstore. Check it out: http://www.textbook-connection.com

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*