Internet search reveals hidden treasures of cheap prices
by Bernie Scheffler, editor-in-chief

(Part two in a three-part series on textbook costs)

   With many textbooks now costing more than tuition for the classes that require them, students are turning to the Internet for more affordable book-buying options.

   Students have traditionally rushed to campus and area bookstores early to find used textbooks at lower prices.

   The bookstores, however, run out of used textbooks quickly.

   “I always try to find my books at Half Price Books, but it seems like I always get there too late when the books I need are already gone,” Christy Chambers, NE Campus student, said.

   A number of Web sites, however, are gaining popularity as places for students to find cheaper textbooks.

   Walmart.com and Amazon.com are two of the Internet textbook-buying options that have gained the most publicity. Wal-mart offers new books at discounted prices while Amazon sells new and used books.

   “Wal-mart and Amazon are still expensive though,” Elizabeth Jodziewicz, UNT graduate student, said.

   “I’ve been buying college books for a long time, and believe me—if you shop around, there are better Internet deals to be found,” she said.

   Jodziewicz says she has most recently used alibris.com for her textbook purchases. The Web site brings dozens of registered booksellers together into a single electronic forum.

   “I found a $120 book this semester for less than $20,” she said.

   Both Jodziewicz and Chambers say students can save even more money by buying previous editions of textbooks.

   “Usually there are hardly any changes in the content of the books between editions—just small facts are updated as times change,” Chambers said.

   However, students should check with their instructors before buying an older edition of a textbook.

   Changes in page numbers between editions can make it difficult to follow lectures from professors who rely heavily on the text, Jodziewicz said.

   “Most of my teachers just have us read the book at home, though. We never open the book during class,” she said.

   Other Web sites that search multiple booksellers for the lowest book prices include Campusbooks.com and Big-words.com.

   Some students also have exercised their Internet book options further by bypassing traditional book selling outlets (bulletin boards and book store buyback) to sell their books online.

   TextbookX.com, run by parent company Akademos.com, and Half.com are two Web sites that allow students an opportunity to both buy and sell used books.

   Half.com gained notoriety in 2000 for persuading (with a payment of $73,000) the tiny town of Halfway, Ore., to change its name to Half.com for one year.

   Both sites allow students who register on the site to set their own prices for a given book and rate its condition.

   When someone buys the book, the Web sites deposit the sale price and a shipping allowance, minus a commission fee, directly into students’ checking accounts.

   The student then receives a printable mailing label at his or her e-mail address and instructions to ship the book to the buyer within 24 hours.

   “As long as I’m getting more for the book than the campus bookstore would offer me, I don’t mind paying a small commission. Half.com only takes 15 percent of the sale price, and they reimburse you for the shipping,” Jodziewicz said.

   “Besides, I’m already an e-bay addict, so the prospect of making some money on the Internet instead of only spending it really excites me,” she said.