For Immediate Release: May 20, 2010

For More Information: Nicole Allen, 401-484-8104, nicole@studentpirgs.org

5 TIPS TO HELP COLLEGE STUDENTS GET THE MOST BANG FOR THEIR USED BOOKS

The Student PIRGs Offer Money Saving Advice for Textbook Buyback

BOSTON - As the semester winds down, cash strapped students are bracing themselves for textbook buyback season.  With textbooks costing the average student about $900 per year, reselling used textbooks to the bookstore is a common practice to recoup some of this hefty expense.  However, many students are shocked at how little they get back.  Research conducted by the Student PIRGs documents publisher practices that undercut the resale value of used books, such as packaging books with single-use supplements and releasing frequent new editions regardless of changes in the subject.

“Textbooks that cost $100-200 at the beginning of the semester are sometimes worth only pennies by the end,” said Nicole Allen, Textbooks Advocate for the Student PIRGs.  “However, by doing some simple research and comparing options, students can squeeze some extra cash out of their books this buyback season.”

As textbook prices continue to skyrocket, students need all the help they can get.  The Student PIRGs offer the following tips to help students be smart consumers and get the most bang for their books:

1. Evaluate online options. Sites like ecampus.com, textbooks.com and valorebooks.com will buy textbooks just like the bookstore - they usually cover postage too!  Also, try sites like bookscouter.com and bigwords.com to compare quotes from several buyers at once.

2. Look for other students who need your books. Students can cut out the middleman by asking around, finding a local bookswap, or posting on Facebook. Also sites like campusbookswap.org and textbookrevolt.com can help connect student buyers and sellers.

3. Be prepared for the bookstore.  The bookstore’s buyback price depends on whether a book is assigned next term. Generally, students get up to 50% of the retail price if it is, and mere pennies on the dollar if it isn’t.  Bringing a list of online price quotes for reference is a must.

4. Have patience.  In some cases, students can benefit from waiting a semester before selling their books back to the bookstore, particularly for courses that are taught only once a year.  If the book is reassigned in the future, the bookstore will probably offer a higher price.

5. Don't let books go to waste.  Students can donate their books to a library or charity in your area.  If that's not an option, try recycling them locally or through a website like greentextbooks.org.

Following these tips can help reduce costs, but it's not enough to make textbooks affordable in the long run. The root of the problem is that the textbooks market is structured to give publishers an economic advantage over students.  Until students are treated fairly as consumers, textbook costs are likely to continue spiraling out of control.  The Student PIRGs are looking to technology and low-cost alternatives like open textbooks to bring much-needed competitive pressure into the textbooks market. 

More information:

Our research on textbook costs: http://www.studentpirgs.org/textbooks/research
More tips for saving money on textbooks: http://www.studentpirgs.org/textbooks/tips 
Join the campaign: http://www.studentpirgs.org/textbooks/take-action

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The Student PIRGs are independent state-based student organizations that work to solve public interest problems related to the environment, consumer protection, and government reform.

  www.studentpirgs.org