Boston College Bookstore
The 2006 recession, generated by the bank’s reaction to declining house prices and increased foreclosures, has undoubtedly affected global manufacturers, particularly those of luxury cars and goods. In effect, Americans have begun to separate what they consider indispensable expenses from more unnecessary purchases. In the increasingly competitive job market, a higher education seems essential to secure financial success. However, with increased unemployment and decreased salaries, education seems to have fallen into the same category as that of luxury vehicles. Even for those who can currently afford a college education, their first priority has become cautionary spending.
Amongst the many purchases deemed essential at college, the most important are books. However, the number of books required for courses is so great that this necessity is, for many students, becoming unaffordable.
In addition to books, many courses also require supplemental materials, such as “clickers,” dictionaries or inclusive information packages. This semester, a BC chemistry course requires a Chemistry Package that alone costs $234.25.
While many students have turned to online websites, such as Amazon and AbeBooks, to purchase books, others borrow textbooks from friends or rely on online sources, such as readprint. com, for material. “I can’t afford to buy books anymore,” says sophomore Alex Williams. “Between buying school supplies and dorm necessities, I can’t afford to spend 600 dollars in books every semester.”
In terms of conservation and cost efficiency, however, using online sources is not always ideal. Printing out large sections of novels or textbooks can waste a lot of paper, and replacing paper and ink can be very costly when using one’s own printer.
Still, if students wish to avoid the ordeal of printing readings from online sources, they still must wait until the beginning of the school year to compare bookstore prices with those of typically cheaper online suppliers. For some students, however, the wait creates a problem in completing initial assignments. If the students find cheaper prices online, they may have to wait as long as two weeks for standard, more cost effective, delivery.
In order to avoid the inconvenience, many students will simply purchase from the BC bookstore with hopes that they will be able to sell back their used books at the end of the semester. However, students do not receive a full-refund for the books and in cases when the bookstore is overstocked or the professor no longer requests the same material, used books may not be accepted. Although not always the most cost effective option, some students view purchasing books from the bookstore as a necessary evil, one of the indispensible expenses that cannot be avoided.
