Jordan Vela

Washington State University

Pullman, WA 99163

Purpose
The purpose of this memo is to present the proof regarding college bookstores charging college
students higher than normal prices for textbooks and to reveal my research on different
techniques to saving money on course textbooks.
Summary
This study was conducted to prove to college students that university bookstores are taking
advantage of them. The bookstores are charging outrageous prices for textbooks and students
every year are losing out financially. In this study you will learn the methods in which you can
avoid the highly fluctuated textbook cost brought upon by the university bookstores. This study
uses qualitative and quantitative research of college students and digs deep into the many options
college students have for saving money on books.
Introduction
It was mid-August, 2012, when I started my first year of college at Washington State University.
I can remember feeling anxious and excited about starting a new chapter of my life in a whole
new environment. Everyone and everything seemed to be moving extremely fast. I was meeting
someone new every day, trying to find my way around campus, and learning how live on my
own. During the first days of class I can recall all my professors reminding me to buy books as
soon as possible because the first assignments were right around the corner. This was a brand
new experience for me because through all my previous schooling I was always supplied the
required readings. Like most the students on my dormitory floor we were informed of one way to
buy books and that was through the bookstores on and around campus. My first semester of
college I spent approximately $500 at the bookstore. Not one book did I actually use front to
back and after selling the books back 5 months later I only received around $100-$150. This
brings me to the issue of many college students wasting vast amounts of money at the
universitys bookstores. They need to be informed of the many options they have for acquiring
textbooks and how it can save them a lot of money.
Research Methods

In order to prove to my audience of university bookstores overcharging students I conducted

both qualitative and quantitative research in the form of surveys on the student body at
Washington State University in Pullman. To find different techniques on saving money on
textbooks I researched online and also surveyed students.
Task 1: Conduct qualitative and quantitative surveys on student body
This task involved going to different locations around the university in search of students who
were willing to help with my research and who fit the requirement. I also disseminated my
surveys online to increase my chances of reaching my target number of 80 participants. I wanted
a collective result of the student body so I decided to survey a variety of students ranging in age,
class standing, and major. This meant surveying 20 students in each class standing (freshman,
sophomore, junior, and senior). From those 20 participants I made sure there was a variety of at
least 4 different majors. 80 students was the best sample size I could receive due to the limited
amount of time given to conduct research.
Task 2: Research various methods of saving money on textbooks
This task involved me researching through many articles and journals as well as surveying
students and graduates. During this step I also reflected on my own ways in which I have learned
to avoid bookstores and save money on textbooks.
Task 3: Analyze data from qualitative and quantitative research
After the two weeks of surveying students I was able to gather all the data and review what was
found.
This is an example of the survey taken by the participants in this study.

Student Survey
Preliminary Questions
What is your major?
What is your class standing?
What is your age?
Qualitative Questions
What source do you use to purchase textbooks and why do you choose that source?

What was the title of the most expensive textbook you purchased this semester?

What are your thoughts on prices of textbooks at university bookstores such as the Bookie?
What online bookstores do you know of?

Quantitative Questions (Circle Answer)

How many textbooks did you purchase this semester?
-0

-1

-2

-3

-6

-7

-4

-5

-8

-More than 8

About how much did you spend this semester on textbooks?

-Less than $200

-$200-$300

-$300-$400

-$400-$500

-$500-$600

-More than $600

Where do you typically go to buy your textbooks?

-The Bookie
-Online

-Crimson & Gray

-Other

Task 4: Compare university bookstore prices to other businesses.

This task was completed by recording the price of 15 course textbooks at the university
bookstore then finding the same books through different sources such as Chegg, Amazon, and
TextbookRush.

Results
Task 1: Conduct qualitative and quantitative surveys on student body
After two weeks of conducting surveys with students around campus I was able to receive 45 inperson participants. I realized after the first week of research that I would have to expand my

surveys to an online version in order to reach my target of 80 participants. Through the online
surveys I was successful in reaching 35 more participants to give me a total of 80 participants in
my study.
Task 2: Research various methods of saving money on textbooks
Saving money on textbooks is possible if you are willing to put in a little extra effort. From my
research of articles online I was able to find a few helpful methods. According to Danielle
Douglas-Gabrielle, there's the University Network, a website that looks for the lowest price on
textbooks for college students. The textbook search engine works like travel site Kayak, perusing
the Internet for the best price on books.(Douglas-Gabrielle) This site was actually a huge help
for me when I was trying to compare prices in Task 4. I noticed some of the best sites for cheap
books were located on Amazon, Chegg, and TextbookRush. Another method is using a site called
Slugbooks. This site is very similar to University Network and also has a feature where you can
sell books back. When surveying recent graduates I learned of another method to saving money
on books. Make friends with people in your major and schedule classes together. That way you
can purchase a course textbook with multiple people making the individual cost much cheaper.
Another method I have personally found is to check the university libraries before buying the
required textbook. It may be possible to check out the book for free. Some professors are nice
enough to put the course textbook on the reserved shelf.
Task 3: Analyze data from qualitative and quantitative research
After two weeks of conducting surveys this is what I found. The bookstore is convenient for the
last minute shoppers but also many students seem to not know how to research other options or
even what the other options are. I especially noticed these results in the responses from freshmen
and sophomores. According to the data 70% of the participants spent around $500-$600 this
semester at the campus bookstore. This means
Task 4: Compare university bookstore prices to other businesses.
For this task I researched the required textbooks for 15 different courses at WSU. I then found
the new buying price listed at the university bookstore (The Bookie) and compared it to the new
buying price listed on various online businesses. What I found confirmed my belief about
university bookstores overcharging students.
Class
ANIM_SCI 440

Accounting
231
B_LAW 511

Textbook
Animal
Physiology,
Third Edition
Connect 1
Business Law

The Bookie
Price (New)
$148.75

Online Price
(New)
$82.39
TextbookRush

Amount
Saved
$66.36

$160.70

$78.98
Amazon
$145.06

$81.72

$254.50

$109.44

BIO_ENG 440

CRM_J 311

Econs 350

English 101

H_D 202

HBM 235
History 105

8th Edition
Feedback
Control of
Dynamic
Systems
Criminal
Justice and
Criminology
Research
Methods
Farm
Management
8th Edition
Academic
Writing 3rd
Edition
Infants,
Children, and
Adolescents
The Tourism
System
Forces of Habit

$210.05

Bookcellar
$182.33
Amazon

$127.15
(Used)

$80.18 (Used)
TextbookRush

$46.97

$207.60

$174.49
Chegg

$33.11

$35.40

$23.46
Bookcellar

$11.94

$197.30

$127.15
Greattextbook
s

$70.15

$85.95

$84.41
Amazon
$17.29
Amazon
$107.49
Chegg

$1.54

$24.30

Math 106

Precalculus
eText with
MyMathLab

Marketing 468

Social
$71.10
Marketing
Recreational
$72
Sport
Management
Life Span
$98.10
Motor
Development
Plant Science:
$147.25
Growth,
Development
5th Edition
Total Savings

SPMGT 290

KINES 190

CROP_SCI 102

$124.70

$68.35
Amazon
$60.99
Chegg
$83.94
Discount_Book
s
$121.09
Amazon

$27.72

$7.01
$17.21

$2.75
$11.01

$14.16

$26.16

$527.25

Conclusion
From my study it is now evident of campus bookstores overcharging students. Based on my
surveys I was able to learn the main reason students continue to use bookstores is because of the
convenience of being able to buy and receive the needed books in the same day. I hope after
seeing the amount of money that can be saved through using online sources such as Amazon,
Chegg, and TextbookRush that students start to make the change. Methods such as using
University Networks and Slugbooks can help students find those cheap online sources. If online
does not interest you it is always possible to try other methods such as purchasing books with
friends or using the library to check out books.
Recommendation
My biggest suggestion to any and all students is to find out early what textbooks are required for
your courses and do your research on prices. If you wait till the last minute and decide to go to
the university bookstore then it is very likely you will be spending an unnecessary amount of
money. I also recommend you to make connections with other students in class. Doing this may
give you an opportunity to borrow the required textbook while you continue to search for one of
your own.
Work Cited/References
Douglas-Gabriel, D. (2015, August 17). College students have discovered how to save money on
textbooks. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
NACS Provides 10 Money-Saving Tips for Purchasing Textbooks. (2014, August 22). Retrieved
October 2, 2015.
New Report Shows College Textbooks are "Ripoff 101" (2004, January 29). Retrieved October
2,
2015.
White, M. (n.d.). 'Required reading': As textbook prices soar, students try to cope - NBC News.
Retrieved October 2, 2015.