You made it through
finals, so now it’s off to the bookstore to sell your books back.
The holidays are coming up, and you could use some extra cash or perhaps
put some gas in your tank, right?
It’s no secret that the amount of cash students get back for their
books is usually moderate, to say the least, but consider yourself lucky
if your book is at least bought back.
A Basic Algebra book purchased new for $80.95 was “shopped around” at three different bookstores. The Palo Alto College Bookstore offered $20, R&R Bookstore also offered $20, and L&M Bookstore offered $30. That same book is sold used for $63.95.
“Sometimes it pays more to put them up for sale on the bulletin board or switching books with other students,” said Lorena Ramon, a third semester Elementary Education major.
On some occasions a bookstore will not buy your book back at all. If the professors decide to go with a new edition or a different book, chances are that book is yours to keep.
There are a few important things that determine how much you’ll get back for your books. They include: 1) The condition of the book and whether it was purchased new or used, 2) At what point in the semester you are selling the book back, and 3) Whether or not the book will be used again.
All bookstores will usually buy back students’ books all year long. However, the “prime time” to sell back your books is the final week of the semester. According to a Palo Alto bookstore representative, you’ll probably get more cash right around this time of year.
“I tried to sell my books back too late after the semester, and I got stuck with them!” said Nick Garza, a second semester Business major.
Keep the flier that’s stapled to your receipt. It contains important buy-back/sell-back deadlines. If you plan on selling your books, shop around!