2006-06-13 09:24:32 · 10 answers · asked by enil98 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Please consult your Economics Textbook for information on the Law of Supply and Demand.
2006-06-13 09:28:53 · answer #1 · answered by irartist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Quality textbook requires keeping many informed individuals on a payroll. Those informed individuals need to eat and get dressed under a roof like the rest of us—meaning they get paid to review previous editions and make updates. Then the new version has to be produced. When you think of a new paperback costing $10, a textbook with much more design, writing, and sturdy construction costing much more is not that unreasonable. What is unfair is that with what college costs these days as a total expense does not get reflected in the job one is likely to get after college. The monetizing of knowledge is of course unfair as well. The privileged child at an Ivy League school whose parents are indifferent to tuition, boarding or textbook costs is on his or her own way to high incomes directly out of college. The $150 textbook for that student is getting a much higher return on investment than that same textbook purchased by a student at a state school system. The used book valuation is not correct either. If one has taken good care of a textbook and not yellow marked all over the place, and if the book is of recent vintage, at least 30-40% should be the buy-back price.
2006-06-13 09:41:12 · answer #2 · answered by colefinch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whenever possible don't buy new text books! If your campus bookstore is out of used books in the subject you are taking, call around the local used bookstores and see if they have any.
Even if they don't have that edition but have one that is a little earlier edition, ask your professor if it would be okay to use that one. Alot of times there is very little differences between the editions besides page numbers, some pictures and the cover of the text book.
You may also pick up used books thru classmates that took that course but didn't sell their book back (or couldn't sell it back). Student center bulletin boards are usually full of posting of students selling their books and materials and students asking for the items they may need.
Its rare that you actually need the new text book and its usually not worth the price thats being asked. So go with used whenever the option is there.
2006-06-13 11:05:49 · answer #3 · answered by neona807 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is how the industry makes money. Take a look at an edition of a textbook and then look at the previous edition. There is not much of a change in the book, except for some new pictures and maybe some wording. The material is exactly the same. This is how they make money. Force new editions to be used, make old editions obsolete, and make us spend money.
2006-06-13 09:29:53 · answer #4 · answered by Chino 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are various reasons. For instance, if your university bookstore has all the books it needs of a particular title, they will either not buy it back or pay you a price that is near the wholesale value for that book. Also, most of the time the value of the book declines as it is used.
2006-06-13 09:31:03 · answer #5 · answered by anhhung18901 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell me about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I graduated with a BS---and that BS had several meanings if you get my drift. Unfortunately, college is a cash cow/money maker for the university and the book publishers!! I recall, a PE class....yes PE!!!!!!!! We were required to purchase this new text....which was the size of a Reader's Digest...which we NEVER opened....it cost----$89.00!!!!!!---I acquired the edition, for the semester prior to mine....the only thing that changed was the cover and of course the price!!!!!!
2006-06-13 09:29:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are a few factors:
1. teachers want upto date info
2. teachers wants a free book
3. schools make money off of stipud people who buy them on campus and not online
4. resell text books to campus is easy, but resellingit on ebay or other school book selling website costs a bit more and not easy
5. in the USA its business to make money, including books
6. 1000 other reasons
2006-06-13 09:32:42 · answer #7 · answered by Different Answers Carlton W. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a conspiracy! I usually buy all of my books online and then either resell them back to my school bookstore (sometimes they buy them back for more than I spent!) or resell them online at half.com or eBay.
2006-06-13 09:29:24 · answer #8 · answered by Miss D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
USUALLY STUDENTS HI-LITE THE PAGES OR WRITE NOTES SO THE TEXTBOOKS LOSES IT VALUE. BEND THE PAGES. ETC.
2006-06-13 09:28:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I Know!!! Its just another way for colleges to get more money..
they rob you without a gun! lol!
2006-06-13 09:27:36 · answer #10 · answered by greeneyedkorean 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋