Reading Between the Lines: UC Bookstore Versus Discount Websites
Maria Dischiavo
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: News
"All one has to do is go to the bookstore with a list of their classes for the semester, and an employee of the bookstore finds all the books that they need," Nadeau said.
Nadeau said she spent approximately $400 on five books this semester at the bookstore, and plans to buy her textbooks from there for her remaining semesters.
"Buying at the bookstore is a little bit more expensive, but it is the most convenient way to purchase books," Nadeau said. "If there is a mistake, as long as you have the receipt you can return them and get the whole amount back."
Sophomore Nick Collins said he buys from the bookstore because he can only pay for textbooks in cash.
"I don't have a credit card," Collins said. "And to be honest, I'm not sure I would want to use one online even if I did, no matter how safe the website claims to be. There is always a risk."
Collins said the bookstore is also preferable to online ordering because the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
"It costs more to buy from the bookstore because you are getting your books in hand right away with no waiting," Collins said. "It costs less to buy online because there is a risk of identity theft and messed up orders. For some people, saving money is worth the risk. For others, it's not."
Nadeau said she spent approximately $400 on five books this semester at the bookstore, and plans to buy her textbooks from there for her remaining semesters.
"Buying at the bookstore is a little bit more expensive, but it is the most convenient way to purchase books," Nadeau said. "If there is a mistake, as long as you have the receipt you can return them and get the whole amount back."
Sophomore Nick Collins said he buys from the bookstore because he can only pay for textbooks in cash.
"I don't have a credit card," Collins said. "And to be honest, I'm not sure I would want to use one online even if I did, no matter how safe the website claims to be. There is always a risk."
Collins said the bookstore is also preferable to online ordering because the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
"It costs more to buy from the bookstore because you are getting your books in hand right away with no waiting," Collins said. "It costs less to buy online because there is a risk of identity theft and messed up orders. For some people, saving money is worth the risk. For others, it's not."
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