Editoral: No Offense to the Bookstore but...
Juan Pintor
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: Editorial & Opinion
Follett's, Wright College's friendly neighborhood bookstore, has seen a considerable surge in newer textbook editions. The shop claims the surge is because of students, who demand more used books than supply them. But students can hardly be blamed for the lack of accessible used books because of Follett's less than enticing buyback deals.
According to Wright's Textbook Manager Drew Bennet, the ratio of new books against used books is significantly higher since many students don't sell their books back. But who could blame them? "I don't. Because you don't get much back for it," Student Government Association (SGA) Vice President Shiela Woods said. Wright College student Matthew Canciller would rather help friends than sell books back. "I have friends who would take the class so I might as well let them borrow it or buy it off me," Canciller added, "Individually, I might need to use the book again, so I'd rather keep it. No offense to the bookstore, but their prices are mad crazy." Mad crazy they may be, but it's similar methods like Canciller's that cause the bookstore problems. When a student doesn't sell a book back, it decreases the amount of used books available for future students. Without these books, Follett's is forced to buy newer editions to fulfill a professor's needs.
But students feel monetary difficulties as well. With a lacking number of used books, students feel the financial backlash of prices. "It's going to suck when kids have to buy books that cost more than their class," SGA President Cesar Meranda said. Students are now outsourcing other options besides Follett's. "I know they're here to make a business," Canciller said, "[but] I don't see myself spending that much money for books. I'd rather go online or eBay." Meranda also expressed that students can sell back their books anytime if they're strapped for cash. While the payback value may not be enough for even groceries, everyone can appreciate a little more in their wallet rather than their closet. "Every book I've bought, I've always sold back," Wright student David Jensen said. "I've always tried to sell it back and whatever they gave me, I just took it. I just accept it because all city colleges do the same thing."
A business's primary goal is appeasing its customers; Follet's is no different. If their buyback values don't change, students can and will continue buying books off-campus. It may be more work, but it will equal less spending for students. If something is not done, these fiscal woes will continue, with the blame being passed off like handed down textbooks.
According to Wright's Textbook Manager Drew Bennet, the ratio of new books against used books is significantly higher since many students don't sell their books back. But who could blame them? "I don't. Because you don't get much back for it," Student Government Association (SGA) Vice President Shiela Woods said. Wright College student Matthew Canciller would rather help friends than sell books back. "I have friends who would take the class so I might as well let them borrow it or buy it off me," Canciller added, "Individually, I might need to use the book again, so I'd rather keep it. No offense to the bookstore, but their prices are mad crazy." Mad crazy they may be, but it's similar methods like Canciller's that cause the bookstore problems. When a student doesn't sell a book back, it decreases the amount of used books available for future students. Without these books, Follett's is forced to buy newer editions to fulfill a professor's needs.
But students feel monetary difficulties as well. With a lacking number of used books, students feel the financial backlash of prices. "It's going to suck when kids have to buy books that cost more than their class," SGA President Cesar Meranda said. Students are now outsourcing other options besides Follett's. "I know they're here to make a business," Canciller said, "[but] I don't see myself spending that much money for books. I'd rather go online or eBay." Meranda also expressed that students can sell back their books anytime if they're strapped for cash. While the payback value may not be enough for even groceries, everyone can appreciate a little more in their wallet rather than their closet. "Every book I've bought, I've always sold back," Wright student David Jensen said. "I've always tried to sell it back and whatever they gave me, I just took it. I just accept it because all city colleges do the same thing."
A business's primary goal is appeasing its customers; Follet's is no different. If their buyback values don't change, students can and will continue buying books off-campus. It may be more work, but it will equal less spending for students. If something is not done, these fiscal woes will continue, with the blame being passed off like handed down textbooks.
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