With the start of the spring semester comes the often-dreaded running of the textbooks. Students are inundated with options for purchasing textbooks, from brick-and-mortar stores to a digital wellspring of websites offering the best deal.
“I hardly ever purchase textbooks through UTEP’s bookstore,” said Gloria A. Ortiz, senior psychology major. “I can honestly say I end up paying $250 a semester for all my textbooks online, rather than wasting that same amount per textbook at the bookstore.”
It seems more and more students are expressing a similar opinion.
Students spend an estimate of $655 per academic year for course materials, according to a 2012 study by the National Association of College Stores, a not-for-profit trade group representing retailers like campus bookstores.
The same study indicates that the industry trend is pointing toward an overall reduction in the amount spent by students.
In a press release, NACS director of public relations Charles Schmidt said, “This is terrific news for students, who continue to be pressured by the higher cost of attending college. The steady decline in textbook spending indicates that the money-saving strategies college stores have implemented are working.”
He lists book rentals, used book sales and student prudence as some of the reasons for the reduction.
A more recent 2013 College Board study confirms that students at public four-year institutions will spend an estimated $1,207 on books and supplies for the 2013-14 academic year.
“I prefer to purchase my textbooks from Craigslist because they are usually more affordable than the bookstores located in El Paso, as well as I am able to get them that same day,” said Korina Villa, senior psychology major. “Recently, I have found that on eBay you can find cheaper prices, but you have to order a few weeks before classes start because it takes longer to receive.”
Classified listing sites such as Craigslist have often been a last resort for students in dire need of a textbook at a certain price point.
Joshua Hiekali, CEO of postyourbook.com, hopes he has taken the best of these sites, incorporated a community element and made something that will be attractive to students.
Postyourbook.com is a relatively new contender to the online textbook sales market. Founded in 2010, the website currently boasts 250,000 student users participating in a “social network” of book traders.
The idea was conceived when Hiekali was a student at Santa Monica College. He noticed that students would buy books at the university bookstore, use them for class, then attempt to recoup the costs. Books that were originally purchased for upwards of $100 would have a buy-back price of around $20.
The concept was born.
“Why don’t we allow students to buy and sell their textbooks to each other?” Hiekali said. “It is a website where students can come to and connect to each other.”
Rather than settling for a significantly less return, students can meet others halfway and find a price that seller and buyer can live with.
The site is designed to connect students on their home campus to create a safe and budget-friendly exchange.
Perhaps one of the most innovative features is the PIN system, which allows students to pay via a credit card. They are given a PIN that they exchange with the seller whenever they meet. The seller can use the PIN to redeem the amount agreed upon in the initial deal.
Hiekali adds that being able to meet and interact with other students on campus rather than just a faceless username via mail will make his site a clear choice for college students.
As of Jan, 19, Postyourbook.com had approximately 380 listings for texts used at UTEP in courses like mathematics, anatomy and literature.
Regardless of where a book is purchased, all that is guaranteed is that students will hunt for the best deal.
“The bookstore is ridiculously expensive,” said Irene Jimenez, senior English and American literature major. “I found a book online for $1.99 that the UTEP Bookstore was selling for $70. The only reason I will buy or rent from the bookstore is if I need the book ASAP.”
S. David Ramirez may be reached at [email protected].
