B&N Textbook Prices - USM Forum -- Message Board

Curmudgeon · Status: Offline

B&N Textbook Prices

astonished · Status: Offline

Indeed the prices are high. I adopted a text supplement quoted to me by the publisher are $60, it sells at the bookstore for about $90. There must be a more cost effective alternative available to our students.

Just Coasting · Status: Offline

As a parent who spent $600 in one semester on books, I would love to find a more cost effective alternative. Having a B & N membership does not help--it is not accepted for text book purchases. We have been using online book sources for used text books.

DJ · Status: Offline

If you haven't found it yet, try collegebooksdirect.com. They don't always have everything, but the site is easy to use and the shipping is super fast. Prices far below the bookstores. (I don't pay for express shipping, and I've gotten books from them the next day that I didn't even order until 4 pm!)

Hope this helps, JC.

USMfan · Status: Offline

The link doesn't want to work when i put it in here, but it's www.abebooks.com

I use this site, as it's the Cheapest I've found and I've used a bunch. I found it from a website a long while ago...

-- Edited by USMfan at 14:18, 2008-01-25

-- Edited by USMfan at 14:20, 2008-01-25

-- Edited by USMfan at 14:21, 2008-01-25

-- Edited by USMfan at 14:22, 2008-01-25

-- Edited by USMfan at 14:53, 2008-01-25

Just Coasting · Status: Offline

thanks for the suggestion! I have used amazon and had to cancel the order because it took too long. I've used www.abe.com, too. I'll add your recommendation to my places to shop.

Godless Liberal · Status: Offline

For graduate and small undergraduate courses, I have started to require few books (usually relatively cheap softcovers), and have started to rely on other sources for readings that are free to students. This can't be done for some courses, but many courses can actually be improved by using primary sources or niche books rather than survey texts. The total cost for materials to students in my courses this semester is about 20-30 bucks. They still have a lot of material to master, but I see no reason to put additional financial burdens on them.

MadEgret · Status: Offline

1. B&N is contractually obligated to utilize our previous self-op margins of 25% on new books, 30% on packet (those with additional items and shrink-wrapped), and 50% of new book price on used books. Prices are audited on a semesterly basis by Student Affairs. The only thing increasing is the wholesale cost from the publisher.

2. B&N has a price match guarantee with any "brick and mortar" bookstore. If the book is cheaper across the street the student can receive that price AND utilize a front-loaded financial aid program through Financial Aid/Bursar.

3. B&N only carries what and how much the instructor adopts. B&N also guarantees to get the book - no one else does that.

4. In the "love triangle" that exists between instructor, publisher, and retailer the instructor holds the power. All B&N does is fill your order and price it at customary margins determined many years ago by our institution. If you want cheaper materials for your students then don't adopt expensive materials - and please don't adopt packets with components that won't be used or especially custom textbooks.

5. Lastly, no one should expect B&N to compete on price with an operation that has no physical location and overhead.

So sure, you can get cheaper books online (not really when you consider shipping and wait time) but the real solution is to end the game publisher are playing by adopting an adequate text that can be used for numerous years and continue adopting that text - oh, and get your adoption in on time. That really changes the acquisition aspect of this commodity (thats all it is - and they need to be on the shelf when the student arrives).

For more info check out the findings of the IHL's textbook taskforce. Its eye-opening.

-- Edited by MadEgret at 16:45, 2008-01-31

-- Edited by MadEgret at 16:46, 2008-01-31

Godless Liberal · Status: Offline

Thanks for the detailed information. I completely agree with your point about profs taking some responsibility here-and I am proud to say that many of my colleagues now seriously consider student costs when assembling required course material.

In the olden days, book costs weren't as much of an issue--new editions of classic tasks were spaced apart, wholesale prices were relatively low, and wholesale costs were not inflated by lavish graphics and ancillaries. It's a whole new world I guess.