It could be a new era in textbook sales. In fact, it’s the issue of rentals, not sales, that is starting that new era.
Local bookstores are offering textbook rentals this year, a new service that they believe offers a win-win-win solution for everyone involved.
“It benefits us, the students and the universities,” said Fawn Baker, manager of the Gorilla Bookstore on campus. “Students get to save money. For Pittsburg State, all the time you see Missouri Southern talking about how they offer rentals. For us, maybe the books aren’t priced as high, so we get more foot traffic, I’d say.”
Barnes and Noble, which owns the Gorilla Bookstore, started the textbook rental program at 25 test sites last year. After the test program was a success, college bookstores around the nation had the option of offering rentals.
But the Gorilla Bookstore is not alone. Their local competition, Campus Bookstore, is also joining the rental world.
“The students have wanted it for a while,” said general manager Dave Bastian. “A lot of good local bookstores have taken that into consideration to help with the cost of textbooks. There’s no way around that for us. For years, we’d carry as many used books as possible was the best way to help kids get by.”
The textbook rental allows students to get books at a significant discount compared to their normal cost, so long as the student returns the book at the end of the semester.
Suppose a brand-new book sells for $100. At the end of the semester, the bookstore may normally buy that book back for $50. Textbook rentals may allow students to rent the new book for only $45, Baker said.
However, it’s not necessarily the best option. A used book may sell for $75 and be able to bought back for close to $37.50. Because of that issue, Bastian is seeing mixed results.
“In many instances, people are getting used books and reselling them at the end of the year because it’s cheaper than renting,” Bastian said. “But if you have to buy a new book, rentals are a no brainer. They’re definitely the better deal.”
He also recommended guaranteed buy-backs, which can help the cost-conscious college student even more.
But the textbook rentals are not the only thing new under the sun. Baker said online textbooks are gaining in popularity. She said that last year, only one digital textbook was sold. This year, she’s already sold more than $1,000, thanks to the digital books being made available for purchase online.
But although the textbook industry may be changing, Bastian and Baker have high hopes for the new market provided by rental books.
“I can tell you that I’ve been a manager here for four years, and before that I was the assistant manager at the Emporia State bookstore,” Bastian said. “Even a year ago, I never thought I’d be talking about textbook rentals. New book sales may decrease, but I think it’s a great thing for students.”
Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 132.
