Students will get more money from buyback
Published Dec. 7, 2007
MU faculty turned in more textbook orders for next semester early, which means students will receive more money for their books during University Bookstore's textbook buyback.
Through Dec. 15, the bookstore is asking students to sell their used books back for up to 50 percent of their original cost. This is only applicable if faculty will use the book next semester.
"Basically with buyback, what we're trying to do is buy back as many used copies of books that faculty have requested for the next semester," Student and Auxiliary Services spokeswoman Michelle Froese said.
Froese said the amount that students receive for the books depends on the faculty at MU as well as the faculty on other campuses that have a bookstore operated by University Bookstore.
"In order for buyback to work, we have to have the orders in from faculty, and the good news is that at this point we have about 89 percent of our orders in," Froese said.
The amount of orders completed for next semester is up compared to past semesters, Froese said.
"In the past sometimes we've had less than 50 percent," Froese said. "So this is a good thing."
In addition to encouraging faculty to turn in their textbook orders on time, the bookstore is also working with departments and faculty to try and get them to commit to using the same books for classes that are not taught every semester.
"We really need a buy-in from departments or faculty," Froese said. "If we could get departments to commit to using that book for the next time it's taught, than we could offer 50 percent buyback."
Currently, the bookstore will only pay a 50 percent buyback on books that will be used by faculty next semester. If the book is not being used next semester, then a wholesale company will buy the book back for up to 35 percent of the new cost.
Froese said that they are also working with faculty and departments to launch a pilot program for renting textbooks for large enrollment classes, as well as helping them determine if the purchase of a textbook bundle is necessary.
"With specialized bundles where there's an access code or things that are called consumables — like a workbook or things that you write in — then you don't get a buyback, and that can be really frustrating for students when they are buying a $135 bundle, and it can't be bought back," Froese said.
Other third party textbook sellers compete with the MU Bookstore for buybacks. Freshman Daniel Shatzkin decided to use the University Bookstore's buyback program because of its convenience.
"It was easier," Shatzkin said. "I was just on my way to class."
Froese said she believes students can get the most money from the bookstore's buyback.
"If you go to a third party seller you might make a few extra bucks," Froese said. "I doubt it, though, because most third-party sellers aren't going to give you 50 percent buyback on a used book."
Froese said that most of the buybacks at the bookstore would occur during the week of finals.