Textbooks on the cheap

In one of Helen Langan's classes at Westminster College, students were recently comparing which Internet site offered the best deal on the course textbook.

"I almost broke even on my books last year because I bought them online and then sold them back to the (campus) bookstore," Langan said.

Savvy, yes — but not uncommon in a world where cost-conscious college students are always looking for ways to cut corners. Just as easily, however, students could wind up on the losing end of an online book bargain.

Breaking even on textbooks can be a big deal for students, many of whom are expected to shell out hundreds of dollars each semester just for books, some of which cost more than $100 a piece.

Shopping for books over a computer is providing some relief, if not monetary, at least in terms of convenience.

Internet sites such as eBay's www.half.com, designed with college students in mind; www.amazon.com, which has its own textbook store; and even www.walmart.com, which advertises on its home page more than 300,000 textbooks for sale, have all gotten into the act.

Langan, a graduate student who also works in Westminster's communications office, said she recently checked three Web sites and found a textbook she needed for $40 to $60 less than what she would have to pay at a college bookstore.

According to a July 2004 survey.com study, requested by eBay, 40 percent of 500 college students surveyed said they shop on eBay for textbooks. Most of these students, age 19 to 25, spend between $300 and $600 on textbooks each semester. Half reported buying at least one textbook online.

Between supplies and books, students spent on average $727 to $807 during the 2002-03 school year, according to the National Association of College Stores.

Factoring in supplies is where the one-stop-shopping aspect of a brick-and-mortar store becomes appealing to students, said Susan White, marketing director for Salt Lake Community College's bookstore.

"Actually, online sales have not hurt us a lot," White said.

Students still prefer stores, she added, because they can get custom-packaged books, which can include several books sold in one bundle that is otherwise not available through a Web site.

But seven years ago, even before online shopping for textbooks became popular, SLCC officials saw the future.