Why are textbooks so ludicrously expensive?

Question

Almost one hundred dollars for a 500 page, softcover book?? It shouldn't cost any more than half that, at most!

I should add that the textbook in question isn't one of those big 900 page Chemistry or other books with tons of graphics. The book in question is a 500 page, less than an inch thick German grammar book with absolutely no graphics, so that can't be the reason for it costing close to 100 dollars.

Also, Greg R, I don't appreciate your mean and condescending answer to this question.

Answer 1

University students suffer from the double-whammy:

1) No substitution - that book is the ONLY book you can use for your class. This means there's no reason for competition.

2) Sole-supplier - bookstores have an incredible monopoly and can charge high prices that would never be tolerated if a discount bookstore were in the picture.

I'm a graduate student in economics and bought all of mine on-line. The 6 books for my 3 classes cost about $120 total.

If you're nervous about using a credit card on-line, get a special one with a low balance ($200 should suffice) that you ONLY use online. You'll be able to notice any itinerant activity.

Answer 2

because it's extremely hard to write a textbook. I just edited a chapter and it nearly killed me. I'm participating in a team-written textbook and let's put it this way...it's very labor intensive, I had to shell out a lot of $$ to get my eduction so I can explain things in a readable and understandable way to you students, I have to pay for my research so the textbook has the latest ideas and proof on the subject, AND all those color photos and figures that students want in their textbooks cost BIG TIME.

Answer 3

For a mass market book, variable costs are low and fixed costs are spread out over a large number of books. For textbooks, variable costs are low, but fixed costs are spread out over a small number of books -- so are high per book. In addition, there is a virtual monopoly on textbooks.

I hope one of those texts you ar buying is an economics text.

Answer 4

yes i agree...i think the schools are in cahoots with the publishers, i am in the wrong profession, the way to get rich is to own a college bookstore! I purchased 5 books yesterday (2 were actually required reading) and it was $234. they just got new math books after the previous one was only used 3 semesters. i still have mine and it was $132. fortunately, my professor said i could still use it. that basically the only difference is the problems are in a different order!

Answer 5

Textbooks are usually expensive to produce (lots of graphics) and have relatively small sales.

Answer 6

Because your professor, who wrote the book, is underpaid by the university and has to make a living by selling expensive books to you.

Answer 7

Because knowledge isn't cheap, and because there is money to made in printing textbooks. Pretty simple, actually. Maybe you should take a business or economics class, as it appears you haven't figured out the concept of a free market economy.

Answer 8

I agree... i guess the sellers want to make money out of us poor students... because we have to buy those books no matter what!
it's not like we have a choice...

Answer 9

i dont know i got way lucky this year ....only had to buy three books and they only cost $250 ....this is the cheapest ive mananged so far

Answer 10

They are so expensive because the publishers know that you will pay it. You have to.