Students read and hear stories, complaints, and comments on the incredible amount of money spent on books year after year. This Spring 2010 semester was the first that gave students an alternative and a possibility of saving some money through a local book rental program.
The Student Bookstore on 3002 Ayers Street is now participating in a book rental program that many students find more convenient and less of a worry. Jason Cohen, a Mathematics major, rented two books and suggested to his friends to take advantage of the rental program next semester.
“So I rent a book for half the price it really costs. If I were to buy it and sell it back, I might not even get half back. I think this is the best deal for me”, Cohen said.
Stephanie White is an employee at The Student Bookstore in accounts receival. White explains that only used books are available for rental. This is because new books sometimes have access codes that cannot be sold again. White also said that 160 titles are available for rental. That is 25% of the titles that are available all together. This semester nearly 1500 copies were rented.
“When selling a book back, students can get up to 50% only. It isn’t guaranteed that the book will even sell back. The best buy back is renting”, White said.
White explained that not all used books are put up for rental because it is uncertain they will be continued the following semester.
The book rental program is available to the public and there is a policy. Students are required to rent the books with a credit card that will be kept on file. All rented books must be returned by the last day of finals. That date will be May 5, 2010 for this semester. Students are sent various emails until the last day of finals to remind them about the due date.
“If a student returns the book one day late, his credit card will be charged the difference of the book along with a 10% processing fee”, White said. The processing fee is to cover the cost of reordering the book and its shipping fee.
Jennifer Perez is a student working on a social work degree who spends an average of $200 on books a semester. Perez is taking 18 hours this semester so the cost doubled. After selecting all her books she was told that two were available for rental. Perez did rent those two books.
“It will be to my advantage if they didn’t buy the book back. I won’t get stuck with a book”, Perez said. “The disadvantage is that you can’t write in it and you have to turn it in on the last day of finals”, Perez said.
White commented that the rental program was designed because of the increase of online shopping. Students do not have to worry about shipping fees or if they will be receiving the correct book in the expected time.
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