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Volume 41, Issue 1
August 25, 2003
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August 25, 2003
Textbook buyers go hi-tech
Kaila Willcott
Contributing Writer
Purchasing books for class early used to be the only way to avoid
the long lines of the bookstore as the start of the semester drew near.
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However, online purchasing now provides a new option to students who wish
to escape the aggravation that afflicts many school time shoppers.
Purchasing textbooks on the Internet is a growing way for students to
get their needed materials, although some will attest that online book
purchasing has its own set of problems.
Over the Internet, students can shop around for bargain prices by jumping
from website to website rather than going to different stores for price
comparison.
“The books are cheaper and there are no lines,” said Gabe
Flores, a student at MCC who regularly buys books online.
Students can purchase new or used textbooks depending on availability.
Some websites offer backorders. Backordering a textbook means that as
soon as it arrives in the warehouse it will be sent to the person who
placed the order.
New or used textbooks fall into a range of prices, often lower than the
prices listed at the on-campus bookstore. Both amazon.com and walmart.com
advertise textbooks at low prices.
Once on the website, a textbook can be located by entering the book’s
title, author, or International Standard Book Number (ISBN).
“Amazon.com offers a wide selection of textbooks in different conditions,”
according to engineering student Cory Adams.
The company does not accept used books with mildew stains, missing pages,
or excessive markings.
The bookstores on or near campus easily accept returns during the first
two weeks of classes with the receipt.
Websites provide instructions for returning unwanted texts. Walmart.com
will allow the return of an online purchase at their stores with a copy
of the invoice, or the book can be returned through the mail. A prepaid
postage return label is included in the package.
Instructions for purchasing textbooks online are also available at the
website.
Efollet.com, another website that sells textbooks, can locate books for
a specific class through a direct connection with the school bookstore
using just the course code and section number.
“It is just like coming to the bookstore, but no standing in line,”
said Jim Hayes, store manager at MCC’s bookstore.
With efollet.com, the orders go directly to the bookstore, not a warehouse.
Books can either be delivered to the student’s home directly or
they can be picked up at the on-campus bookstore.
Other sites such as amazon.com, walmart.com, and varsity.com must have
their orders sent from a warehouse and can not be picked up.
If students decide to purchase their textbooks online, most sites require
information for shipping and billing purposes, such as a name and address.
Passwords and user names are often available so that repeat shoppers need
not fill out the same forms each time.
Payment methods available to students who purchase books online are restricted
to credit cards and money orders, although some sites will accept checks.
Efollet.com accepts checks only if the textbooks are to be picked up from
the bookstore and not delivered to the student’s address.
The websites offer various security systems to protect their customers’
information.
Buying books in person does save students the additional cost of shipping.
Initial shipping costs range from $2.22 to over $10 at walmart.com. Some
sites offer free shipping if the cost of the purchase exceeds a set amount.
Shipping textbooks also means extra time. The standard shipping usually
takes seven to 10 days. Faster methods of shipment are also available
for an additional charge.
Many websites offer a tracking system so students can determine when they
should expect to receive their books.
Selling books online is also an option for students. Instead of the bookstore
naming the price, the person selling the book can ask whatever price they
want. However, there is no guarantee that the book will be purchased.
“Some took up to five months to sell, but others only took three
days,” Flores said. “They all sold.”
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