Comments on: College Textbook Rip-Off Continues

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:04:04 +0000

Here’s another ripoff. I just got my book list and can’t find the ISBN codes online. I can find similar books by the same publisher but not the exact books listed by the college. The bookstore told me that the college gets the books specially printed with chapters arranged in the order their professors request. It’s basically the same information as the regular publishing, just rearranged. Why do they do this? So you can only buy the books from the college bookstore. They cost way more than similar books from other retailers. Since no one else will ever be looking for these special ISBN codes on Amazon, the only option you have for resale is at the college. You’d expect them to have plenty of used books for sale but they never do. That’s because everything has an online content these day. The access codes are a one-time registration. Even if you sell your book, the new owner won’t be able to access it online. The college will sell them a new access code but they charge almost as much as a new book with the code. So used books are pretty much worthless

By: Kyle Shelley

Kyle Shelley — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:17:19 +0000

Cindy,

Unfortunately it is an absolute scam, but trends in online book purchases and the recent exposure of publisher kick backs will soon levy a might blow to large publishers like McGraw Hill (and the like). Hardware/software integration, such as the Nook, ipad/iphone, will soon replace the hard copy world we grew up in. The question will simply be this: when will the universities, many of which who receive kick backs from the publisher, allow better means of acquiring the necessary materials for the class (not the latest edition with a new forward and cover). Schools are a business, one that gets to play by a different set of rules. I see this changing very soon.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 17:06:59 +0000

Buying text books online is a great way to save money. BUT the publishers have found a way around that. Either by convincing (kickbacks?) colleges to use a college specific edition which can’t be purchased elsewhere or by coming up with new editions way too frequently than necessary. Case in point: my son last year took a music appreciation class that required a new edition bundled textbook/CDs. $130. This year exactly ONE YEAR LATER my daughter is signed up for the exact same class, same school, same professor SAME BOOK NEWER EDITION? Really? In the world on music appreciation in a class that focuses on music of the 16tg- early 20th century there have been enough changes to warrant a new edition text? SCAM! and yes she’ll be asking if she can use the older edition. We’ll see.