The All State

Media Credit: Patrick Armstrong [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Dustin Kramer [Click to enlarge]

As the summer break ends, college students prepare to hunt for textbooks. The expense is a necessary evil, and the question on many students' minds is: Where can students get the cheapest textbooks?

Upperclassmen have probably discovered methods of bargain-hunting. Incoming freshmen, though, may not realize they have several options.

One option is the campus bookstore, located in the Catherine Evans Harvill building. The sign outside the entrance advertises the cheapest used textbooks.

The bookstore has been run by Validis Resources, a division of the Nebraska Book Company since June 2007. A change in the bookstore was necessary, according to Stacy England, manager.

"The students and professors were not happy, and we wanted to be able to provide better service to help everyone do their job," she said.

England said the bookstore carries all the titles APSU professors require. If a book cannot be found at the bookstore, they will order it through one of their other distributors. England said most orders arrive in about a week's time, depending on the availability of the book.

The bookstore offers new and used books for sale. England said the used price is always 25 percent cheaper than the new price.

As far as buyback prices are concerned, the amount a student will receive depends on the type of textbook and its general condition. "I can definitely say we give a lot more money for buyback than our competitors, and students have remarked about it."

In the spirit of 'going green,' a book no longer used by professors will still be taken by the bookstore and will be recycled by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

The bookstore also has an online site where students can order the books not readily in stock. Students can also reserve their books at no additional charge before going to the bookstore. Books can also be shipped to a student's home or overseas.

Marilyn Griffy, senior buyer, commented about her experiences with the bookstore. "I have found the campus bookstore to be better because the books are in excellent condition," she said.

Griffy said she appreciated the bookstore calling to tell her when her books were in. "I've found that they have much better service. They've saved me lots of headaches." Griffy also noted the bookstore carries study guides and test preparation books, as well as fiction bestsellers.

The bookstore's return policy states that a book can be returned, unopened, within two weeks of the first day of classes for a full refund.

Another alternative to the campus bookstore is StudyMaster, located at 329 N. Second St. StudyMaster buys and sells new and used textbooks in nearly the same fashion as the bookstore. Manager Mike Lowe said they base their inventory on the needs of the professors as well.

"I believe we have a broader range of books available," said Lowe. "We order from several different places."

The buyback prices are determined by the conditions of the returned books, and the return policy is the same as the campus bookstore.

Lowe said their new and used prices are determined by the publisher of the books. StudyMaster will order books and ship them within the U.S. with a $6 shipping charge.

StudyMaster also caters to other schools and local community colleges.

Other alternate book sources include Half.com a division of eBay, which allows independent users to sell used and new books. Amazon.com also specializes in bookselling. Prices for new and used books on these web sites vary according to the type and condition of the book.

Students can also rent books online. Chegg.com allows students to rent books and return them when they are finished. Students can also purchase books through this web site. The environmentally-conscious web site also claims that for every book rented, they will plant a tree.

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