Textbooks for Rent
Half the Retail Value
Jayna Patel, Staff Reporter
jpatel@csumb.edu
Beginning in fall 2010, the CSU Monterey Bay’s (CSUMB) bookstore will pilot a textbook renting program, which will enable students to rent their textbooks for half the retail value. “Students will be able to rent the books either in the store or from the store’s website www.csumb.edu/bookstore,” said Jimmy White, CSUMB bookstore manager.
Some students may be afraid to rent books because they might damage or write in them, but these books can actually be treated just as if they were bought. “Students main concern is that you can’t write or highlight in the rented books, but they can write in it just as they would a book they bought and planned to sell back to the bookstore,” said White.
With textbooks often costing more than $100 apiece, students spend an average of $700 to $1,100 a year, which makes it one of their biggest expenses after tuition and room and board. Many students try to save by buying used books or ordering online where books can usually be found at half the retail price. Some students also resell textbooks at the end of the academic year, with this new program it will save students time, “Students will know their price upfront and won’t have to worry about selling back because they are only paying half price to rent the book to begin with,” said White.
Barnes & Noble began piloting their rental program earlier this year at 25 campus bookstores across the country, which will continue to pilot across more campuses, including CSUMB come fall 2010. “I think it’s a good idea, it will save students a lot of time and money,” said Chelsa Shipp HCOM senior.
Other program features include:
- Students can pay the rental fees using any form of tender currently accepted by the bookstore – including student financial aid and campus debit cards. (Note: For security purposes, a valid credit card must also be provided regardless of the tender used for the rental fee.)
- Students can highlight or mark the rented books just as they would if they purchased a book and planned to sell it back to the bookstore.
- Students can convert their rental to a purchase during the first two weeks of class.
- The rental period is for the duration of the term/semester. Books are due back at the bookstore no later than 10 days after the last day of finals. Students can return the books in person or mail them to the bookstore.
- Courtesy e-mails will go out as the end of the term/semester approaches reminding students to return their books. Books not returned (or returned in unusable condition) will be subject to replacement and processing fees.
Comments: