Camden County College students and professor
weigh the different options of reselling textbooks
BLACKWOOD, NEW JERSEY—At the end of every semester, students of Camden County College can be seen flocking to the campus bookstore, in search of cash. For some students, they hit the jackpot,
for other students, they hit rock bottom. After waiting in long lines, with many students eager to resell their books back for some quick cash, some feel it is worth the wait, while others think it is a waste of time.
College book prices are at an all-time high nowadays and most universities are trying their best to keep the cost of their textbooks at a reasonable market price. Since the booming expenses of textbooks, many Camden County College students are opting for alternative ways to make quick cash, without paying the retail price to only be reimbursed half the original value.
Kelly Kreider, from Waterford, New Jersey, a sophomore and radiology major at Camden County College, recalls her first semester encounter with the campus bookstore about reselling her books.
“I spent over $800 and only got back $80,” said Kreider, with an unpleasant look.
“It’s not worth reselling to the bookstore,” added Kreider.
Kreider also had run-ins with the campus bookstore’s used textbook quota.
Kreider intended to resell books last semester, when an unidentified employee of the bookstore advised her to come back at a later date. Kreider arrived a couple days later to find out that she was unable to resell her books.
“They told me they couldn’t take back my books because they had too many used copies of the ones I was interested in reselling,” said Kreider.
With the increasing number of students and book prices, Kreider will opt to sell her books online for cash this semester.
Camden County College’s bookstore, known for their “first come, first serve policy,” leaves some students racing towards the front of the line, anxious to receive any amount of money the bookstore is willing to pay back after reselling.
“Students who sell their textbooks back to the bookstore will be able to receive fifty percent back on their purchase price,” was stated in a Camden County College article titled “Innovative Plan Will Save Students Money at CCC.”
Carissa Johnson, from Williamstown, New Jersey, a freshman and computer information systems major at Camden County College, often hears the college bookstore being talked about positively.
“Many people I have met here, my first year at Camden County College, often talk about reselling their books back because they get money back,” said Johnson.
Johnson, who has thought about purchasing and reselling books online, never put the effort into it because she believes the campus bookstore is fair.
“I think it is worth the money the bookstore gives you back because at least it’s something. Plus, the employees at the store never check to see if the book is damaged, missing pages, or written in the inside,” said Johnson.
Textbook prices are one of Camden County College students’ top concerns, next to campus parking. Not only do these situations affect students, but professors who teach at the college also.
Professor Gerry Williams, of Camden County College, does not resell the books he purchases to teach with every semester. He often writes in his textbooks all semester and collects them as references. He adds them to the many textbooks collected already, filling up many of his shelves.
Pertaining to the cost of textbooks, “they are way too expensive, but I understand the economic matter,” said Williams.
“When a book will be used again for a subsequent semester, the bookstore typically buys back copies in good condition for half of what the students paid for them. If the book isn’t being used at the college the following semester, students are paid a wholesale amount for the book, sometimes as low as a few dollars no matter what the book’s retail price, if anything at all,” stated Camden County College’s books return policy. The bookstore operates in affiliation with Barnes and Nobles College Bookstore and Follett Higher Education Group.
Students and professors, who intend to resell their textbooks at the end of the semester, may go about returning them in different ways. Some go online for purchasing and reselling, while others stick to Camden County College’s campus bookstore. Whatever the choice may be, money is a rising conflict that is affecting many today, students said. Students and professors said they ponder ways to save money every semester on their academic education. Camden County College’s bookstore ensures “buy early, save more,” as their slogan for purchasing books and suggests to resell your books the first week you can, to be able to repurchase your text as used edition.