Editor:

Every time a semester begins, I hear the same thing from my peers: “Books are too expensive!The university should not be ripping us off so much.”

I agree-however, the university is not ripping you off at all since the University Bookstore is not exactly part of the university. The bookstore is a business, and as such, they are trying to make a buck at your expense-you as the consumer, not the student.

I don’t like getting ripped off by the bookstore either, but the only thing you can do is take your business elsewhere.

For the past three years, I have been through the ins and outs of half a dozen online book exchanges.

For three years, I got some good deals or I got some headaches-until this semester when I did something new. I PLANNED AHEAD.

I went and collected four textbook names, authors and edition numbers, then went online and ordered them during Finals Week last semester. I didn’t use one ISBN, just names, authors and edition numbers.

I could have spent $450 on books, but instead I spent less than half that amount.

So if you think the bookstore is ripping you off, do a little legwork. Show them you will go somewhere else with your business. Just don’t complain when all you did was sit back and let the bookstore take advantage of you.

Ryan Dark

Senior, Mechanical Engineering/Physics