Amarillo College Ranger

Issue date: 9/8/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Laura Leedy The 2005 Fall Semester started off with the usual horriffic line at the bookstore. Many students face the problem of their books not being in stock and look to other alternatives of purchasing books online. Bookstore employees point out advantages to buy no campus. [Click to enlarge]

With the rising cost of everything from gasoline to homes, many Amarillo College students probably are wondering what else is going to affect their pocketbooks.

There has been an increase in tuition, but only a dollar per semester hour. Add that with the cost of books, however, and one easily could go into debt.

Luckily, there are alternatives for buying college textbooks. The AC bookstore isn't the only place to buy textbooks.

One of the best places to buy books, both new and used, is eBay's sister site, half.com.

Here, all you need is the ISBN number, book title or author. It does help if you know what the book looks like.

You have the choice of books that are brand new or used. Some are used, meaning they have been bought but never used.

Other Web sites include ecampusbooks.com and amazon.com. They work the same way.

Ann Brothers, an AC bookstore adminstrative clerk, said, "We've actually had an increase in sales. We have been very steady and busy the past few weeks."

Brothers pointed out that many students choose to buy their books at the bookstore to get all the extra booklets, pamphlets and codes that come with the books.

Some instructors and Web sites require an access code.

Yet, not every used book has the passcode.

"Once you have saved the few dollars buying the book used, you realize you need that code," Brothers said.

"Then the student has to either pay an additional fee for the code or buy a brand new book. So they never really save a lot of money."

It may be just a matter of preference. Online means fewer lines but may also cost more than money and time wasted in line.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools