Sticker Shock

[Sandy in Indy]

I just registered my ds for Spanish at our local community college. Tuition: $420. That's not the real sticker shock....hit the bookstore to check out the book--brand new $179, used $135! I'm still picking up my jaw.

DD is in college and we never, ever purchase books at the bookstore unless it's the last resort. I always help her look online and she's saved hundreds of dollars on books.

What's really bad about this Spanish text is when I searched online for it, I found the Instructor's version for about $35 (brand new in shrink wrap). Best price on the student version is around $80 and I can order the student text brand new from the publisher for $125.

Something stinketh in the bookstore!

[Kathleen in VA]

I just registered my ds for Spanish at our local community college. Tuition: $420. That's not the real sticker shock....hit the bookstore to check out the book--brand new $179, used $135! I'm still picking up my jaw.

DD is in college and we never, ever purchase books at the bookstore unless it's the last resort. I always help her look online and she's saved hundreds of dollars on books.

What's really bad about this Spanish text is when I searched online for it, I found the Instructor's version for about $35 (brand new in shrink wrap). Best price I on the student version is around $80 and I can order the student text brand new from the publisher for $125.

Something stinketh in the bookstore!

They're betting you'll go for the convenience of not having to order online. Some folks want to just get it over with.

[Anne/Ankara]

I know, it's terrible! Last week we helped my ds get a biology text for his summer camp, and yes, it was $135 used. Amazing! Of course, I didn't think to check before hand to get it cheaper, so we were stuck. And since it is Campbell: Biology, I'm sure I could have nabbed a less-expensive edition!

But the worst part was that the camp kindly gave us a 20% discount coupon, so I was happy enough, until I saw that it did not apply to textbooks... grrrrr. So of course I wanted to use my Barnes & Noble home educator discount-- nope, not accepted! How about my Barnes & Noble Members card; can't I at least get 10% off? No, sorry, even though it is a Barnes & Noble, they don't accept the Members discount card either.

Grrrrrrrrrrr!

[Brindee]

I know, it's terrible! Last week we helped my ds get a biology text for his summer camp, and yes, it was $135 used. Amazing! Of course, I didn't think to check before hand to get it cheaper, so we were stuck. And since it is Campbell: Biology, I'm sure I could have nabbed a less-expensive edition!

But the worst part was that the camp kindly gave us a 20% discount coupon, so I was happy enough, until I saw that it did not apply to textbooks... grrrrr. So of course I wanted to use my Barnes & Noble home educator discount-- nope, not accepted! How about my Barnes & Noble Members card; can't I at least get 10% off? No, sorry, even though it is a Barnes & Noble, they don't accept the Members discount card either.

Grrrrrrrrrrr!It would probably depend on the version, I guess. But look at this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/080537146X/ref=dp_olp_2 Is that the book? The price you paid is pretty close to the new version, and it looks like you could have gotten it for much cheaper if only you had known!

I want to thank you guys for bringing this up! I will be careful when looking for books for my kids. DS17 will graduate from highschool this coming school year, so we'll be going through this soon enough!

[wagnfun]

I just registered my ds for Spanish at our local community college. Tuition: $420. That's not the real sticker shock....hit the bookstore to check out the book--brand new $179, used $135! I'm still picking up my jaw.
What's really bad about this Spanish text is when I searched online for it, I found the Instructor's version for about $35 (brand new in shrink wrap). Best price on the student version is around $80 and I can order the student text brand new from the publisher for $125.

Something stinketh in the bookstore!

IS your dd under 18? Maybe its a California thing but students under 18 attend community college FREE (we pay for books)

[newbie]

IS your dd under 18? Maybe its a California thing but students under 18 attend community college FREE (we pay for books)

I did not know that, maybe because I was over 18 when I went to cc. Hmmm. Maybe I should enroll dd next yr, if all you have to pay for is books.

Jet

[wagnfun]

I did not know that, maybe because I was over 18 when I went to cc. Hmmm. Maybe I should enroll dd next yr, if all you have to pay for is books.

Jet


My dd started at the local community college at 16. The form you need signed by the dean (easy shmeeze) is called a Vesy. She needed a new one every semester. FREE, all free... no unit fees or student health fees. She DID get an ID though ($10) but that is mandatory on campus, to check into the lab & check books out of the library. Bonus was that she got early registration above her new to college friends this year (first "offical" college year).