Show Book buying blues may be justified book buyer tells all Cyndi Ainge Contributing writer Friction between students and cam campus pus bookstores seems to be a tradition at colleges and universities around the nation is no different Sharon Riggs textbook buyer and assistant manager of the college bookstore said that the bookstore is not trying to rip students off The bookstore makes only enough profit to sustain their operating expenses such as rent utilities salaries and benefits She explained the process for buying b books o When pur- pur chasing books the department department department depart depart- ment coordinator will analyze the books offered from the publisher and will alert the department chair as asto asto asto to the book choice That list listis listis listis is sent to the text book buyer at the bookstore An agreement agreement agreement agree agree- ment between bookstore and departments saves students money and keeps instructors from having to make up new syllabi every semester The agreement states that books must be used for at least four quarters There is no constant changing which allows the student to sell his books back There are many reasons why there has been a rapid rise in the cost of books Riggs said Paper prices are at atthe atthe atthe the top of the list but lately because of Wall Street takeovers takeovers takeovers take take- overs and mergers the publishing industry is in an uproar Profit is necessary causing the price of books to rise The publisher decides the price pric and the bookstore adheres to that price Other considerations in inthe inthe inthe the cost of books include how much color and graphics are arc used If the information in the book is basic entry level it is usually inexpensive sive if it is technical such as with a calculus book it is ismore ismore ismore more costly Riggs said the bookstore policy is to give back 50 0 of the current selling price whether the book is used or brand new A problem occurs when a book goes out of print and is no longer resale resale- able so they cant can't buy it back This is extremely aggravating aggravating aggravating ag ag- ag- ag to the student but the bookstore has no control Another common problem problem problem lem is used workbooks and study guides which cannot be brought back because pages have been torn out out or written in making these books worthless to the n next buyer |