For students who need extra cash for Christmas presents, the Student Book Exchange will buy back books this week for prices higher than any other time during the school year.
Kent Kokomoor, the manager of Student Book Exchange, said they pay cash for used books year round, but for most of the year they buy them back at wholesale prices. The wholesale prices are relatively low, so students would be better off waiting until “Buyback,” Kokomoor said.
“Buyback” occurs at the end of each semester. The prices they pay you for your books depend on whether or not they’re being used the following semester, the prices are higher than the rest of the year, he said. The reason for this is because most of the reports for spring books have been released at that time.
Jake Vanneman, an employee at Student Book Exchange, said spring reports inform their store which types of books will be used for the following semester.
“Typically if a student sells a book at the end of the semester, he would get back half of the original price. Whether the book is new or used won’t matter,” Vanneman said.
However textbooks also have significantly more value if students have the CDs that came with them, Kokomoor said.
Students should keep in mind that books damaged by water or have missing/damaged covers will not be bought back, but highlighting certain parts of a book is permitted, Kokomoor said.
At the Student Book Exchange, it doesn’t matter if a book has been originally bought from another store, he said
Publishers and textbook authors are creating new editions at an increasing pace, so when a book comes out in a new edition, the old editions may not be worthless because some instructors may still use the old edition, Kokomoor said.
With possible new textbook editions coming up and buying used books rather than new ones, for the coming semester saves students 25 percent. Also, buying books from third-party sellers such as Amazon will cost extra for shipping and handling fees, Kokomoor said.
The Student Book Exchange also offers a textbook reservation service. Students can send the store their classes and section numbers and their books would be set aside for them, Kokomoor said. This service can also be done online. Students must also schedule a time to pick them up or they can have their books delivered to them by mail.
Students also have the option of renting textbooks for the coming semester, but not all books are available to rent. Also, prices may vary between renting and buying a book. It all depends on the book, Kokomoor said. An online textbook rental service is also available.
Zackary Bell, a junior at the University, said he stopped by the store Monday and saw students crowding the bookstore to selling and buy books for the following semester.
“It’s better to stop by during the mornings when the store is less crowded,” Bell said.
