A few clicks of the mouse and a quick walk to the mailbox after finals could save students at least 50 percent on textbooks – or so says Laura Sneddon, director of marketing at BookRenter.com.
BookRenter.com launched on Aug. 20 after a year of testing, and the site offers textbooks for low-priced rental fees with free return postage, Sneddon said. Students have the option to rent brand-new books for one to four months.
“We have a quick and easy order and return process where you save an average of 50 percent off, and it is much easier than going to the college bookstore,” Sneddon said.
Colin Barceloux founded BookRenter. com after he attended college at Santa Clara University in California. Barceloux realized while in school that students overspend on textbooks and don’t get paid sufficient money for their buy-backs, Sneddon said.
BookRenter.com is making its debut as textbook prices are increasing at more than four times the inflation rate for all finished goods, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index. And according to the Public Interest Research Groups, while prices charged for all finished goods increased only 14 percent in the last 13 years, wholesale prices charged by textbook publishers rose 62 percent.
The net effect is that college students spend an average of $940 a year on textbooks and supplies, according to The College Board, which tracks college pricing trends.
Despite all of the purchasing options that exist, some students still find it more convenient to visit one of the local bookstores than deal with the hassle of online shopping and shipping.
Mona Dion,18, a freshman in the pre-pharmacy program, said she prefers to shop at the VCU bookstores and the Virginia Book Company for her textbooks.
“I think buying (textbooks) is OK because you sell them afterwards,” Dion said.
Sneddon said BookRenter.com’s rental prices are lower then retail prices and will save the student the hassle of selling books back at the end of the semester.
“Even the used prices are pretty high… (and) you have to stand in line for a long time,” Sneddon said. “If you rent … you don’t have to worry about, ‘Oh, am I going to get anything back for it?’ even though you paid full price for it.”
Students who use the site may also decide to keep the books at the end of the rental period. If students do not return their books, their account will be charged the lower-than-retail price, minus their rental fee, Sneddon said. If they do decide to return their books, a postage-paid envelope is provided with their initial order.
Books usually ship from BookRenter.com in one business day and arrive in three to five.
Joshua Kruger, 20, business major, said BookRenter. com provides an appealing alternative.
“If it really worked, and they had the books I needed, I would … strongly consider it,” Kruger said. “There is no hassle of trying to sell the book and get that money back, and you also don’t have to invest as much initially.”
For more information, visit http://bookrenter.com or search “Tiki Man” on Facebook.com to link to BookRenter.com’s mascot.
Online tools prove invaluable in study habits
While many students are spending hundreds of dollars on textbooks, a new survey funded by Houghton Mifflin Company says students actively use online tools to help with homework assignments and studying for tests.
Based on a study of 896 currently enrolled students, 56 percent of those asked said they used online tools to help with their homework assignments and test preparation, according to a press release.
“Online study tools are a new resource that today’s wired students can take advantage of that past generations didn’t have access to,” said Katie Ross, head of research and marketing for Houghton Mifflin College division, in the press release. “We’re finding that students are increasingly using online study tools in tandem with their textbooks.”
Three-fourths of the sample said they use online quizzing, and more than 50 percent of students said they use video tutorials, course outlines in digital format and online study groups.
The survey found that more than one-third of the students would prefer an eBook version of a textbook rather than a hard copy. Yet, more than two-thirds are still interested in purchasing a textbook they can hold and they believe will improve their grades.
The survey also discovered these online tools aren’t late-night habits. According to the press release, the majority of students said they prefer studying mid-day.
Shop Smart
Check out these Web sites for bargains and price comparison:
VCU Book Store (efollet)
Shop for new and used books at the convenient location on Broad Street or online at http://bkstr.com.
Virginia Book Company
New and used textbooks are available at this store one block from Shafer Food Court on Franklin Street or online at http://vabookco.com.
Half.com
Offers low-priced textbooks.
VCU’s SGA Book-Trading Web site
Buy used textbooks from peers at low prices at http://vcusga.com.
Amazon.com
Offers new and used text books.
Others: eCampus.com, abebooks.com, bigwords.com, campusbooks.com, alibris.com, bookbyte.com, Borders.com.