Long hours of precious study time were invested into a textbook with the necessary information to aid in passing a course; now the time has come to part ways.
With finals week on the horizon, one begins to wonder where to sell that always expensive book purchased at the beginning of the semester is.
“The EC Bookstore’s goal is to give as much money back to students as possible,” Julie Bourlier, director of the Bookstore said. “We work very hard with faculty members to find out what book or books they will be using next semester.”
The EC Bookstore pays up to 50 percent of what the individual paid for the book.
That amount can be less if the particular department has not turned in their book order on time, if they are over stocked with that particular book or if the professor has switched to another book at some point between semesters.
The amount of money obtained for used books also depends on the content of the given textbook.
“I am going to try to sell my books to the EC bookstore or at Textbooks Incorporated across the street,” Molly Copeland, 22, English said. “I want to compare what each of them will pay me to get the most money for my books.”
Textbooks Incorporated is located on 16120 Crenshaw Blvd.
It is best to take books in person because the amount paid varies depending on the condition of the book and whether it is it in stock or not.
“I don’t feel that Textbooks Inc. paid me what is fair for the book I sold to them,” Gustavo Lopez, 20, business administration major, said. “Often they do not pay you 50 percent of what you paid for the book even if you bought it from them.”
The condition of the book is very important to keep in mind when selling your books back.
Fill-in-the-blank and perforated page books cannot be sold back.
Highlighting in a book is acceptable but if you write in your book or if there is water damage, the book will not be bought back.
“As long as the book is in good condition and pages are not falling out, the books can be bought back,” Bourlier said. “Ultimately, the professor must request the book so that we can continue to put it on the shelves.”
Another option students have is to sell back their books online.
According to About.com, timing is crucial in getting the most money for books.
The peak buying times are August, September, January and February.
Browsing local or online bookstores can help students in deciding how much to sell a book for before they ultimately decide where and when to sell it.
“I plan to sell my textbooks back online so that I can get as much money as I can for my books,” Tim Hadfield, 20, English major said. “The EC bookstore does not pay back much money.”
In order to sell back books online, the ISBN number will be needed if the book is being listed for sale or if how much to sell the book for is being researched by a student.
The ISBN number can usually be found on the back.
“Some websites offer to buy the book directly back from you and pay cash,” Hadfield said. “I will need that money for school in the fall.”
Curently, professors statewide are petitioning to allow the implementation of online materials to replace many high-priced books; it is hoped that the monetary strain would be eliminated.
The EC bookstore will begin selling digital textbooks for the fall semester for about half the price of a regular textbook.
A pass code will be given upon purchase of the book, which can then be downloaded to a computer for four to six months before it expires.
“Only select books will be available in digital form, but since the book expires, it cannot be sold back,” Bourlier said. “As technology advances, students will be turning to this option more and more.”