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Published on Wednesday, December 3, 2008
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Students say selling textbooks online brings better bang for a buck


By SEAMUS BRENNAN
Last updated on 00/00/0000 at 12:00 a.m.

Out with the old, in with the new.

With fall semester coming to an end, students will have a month to get ready for the spring semester. That means old textbooks are out, and new textbooks are in.

But what should students do with their old textbooks?

Many sell back to bookstores on campus such as the Village Commons Bookstore (VCB) or the University Bookstore in the Holmes Student Center, but some choose to sell online at Web sites like Amazon.com and Half.com.

Reasons for doing either vary.

“I sell my books back to VCB,” said junior nutrition major Ryan Wu. “I never really heard of selling books online.”

Studying with Wu in the Founders Memorial Library was sophomore finance major Vu Vo. Vo has sold online before, but finds it too much of a hassle.

Does the seller get to keep all the profits?

Half.com lets anyone sell textbooks. Sellers can post their textbooks by entering a 13 or 10-digit international standard book number (ISBN). Sellers then can enter the condition of the book, which helps guide the recommended selling price. The commission rates are dependent on the selling price of the text. If you sell your book for less than $50.01, a 15-percent commission is taken. If your book is sold between $50.01 and $100.00, a 12.5-percent commission is taken. 10 percent commission-$100.01 and $250, 7.5 commission-$250.01 and $500 and 5 percent commissions- $500.01 or more apply.
Amazon.com is similar to Half.com. Sellers follow the same selling guidelines, but the commission rates differ. On Amazon.com, all books have a 15-percent selling fee with a $1.35 closing fee amount.

“I sold on Amazon a few years ago, but I don’t like having to drive to the post office and ship it out, so I just sell back to bookstores here,” Vo said.

Just downstairs in the Founders Cafe, senior chemistry major Brian Lattimore couldn’t hold back his anger with bookstores on campus regarding buying back books.

“They rip me off,” Lattimore said. “They put it to me and smile while they do it. They buy it for like $20 and turn around and sell it for $120. What’s with that?”

Lattimore sells and buys on Half.com and believes he gets more money for his books when selling and spends less when buying.

“I think the big difference is that people who buy books online are buying to use them, while the bookstores are buying the books to sell them. That’s why you get more money online,” Lattimore said. “It’s like a brotherhood.”

According to Half.com, it is recommended to students to sell textbooks during prime-selling months. Sales are highest in August, September, January and February, and sellers will get more money as a result.


By Derek  |  Wednesday, December 3, 2008  |  1:48 am
"Could not hold back his anger..." Seamus, you are my best friend.
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