About the Campus Store Quiz...

A message from Hollie, the University Campus Store textbook manager.

Thank you for taking the time to check out the Campus Store quiz. This series of questions is designed to give you a more in-depth look into the Campus Store, our daily operations, and to talk about textbooks, some of the most important tools you will use while you are a student at the University of Utah.
 
You can proceed directly to the quiz if you prefer, or you can take a few minutes and read the following summary which will give you all the answers.
 
First, a little background on Campus Store operations. The University Campus Store is owned and operated by the University of Utah. We are an auxiliary service of the University and as such we are totally self sufficient. No money from taxes, tuition, or fees goes toward operating the store. All of our operating expenses (i.e. heat/air conditioning, lights, phones, computers, rent to the University, payroll and interest paid on the inventory we stock) are paid for through the sale of merchandise and services. All revenues in excess of the operating expenses then go back to the University's bond system to pay for further improvements to the campus.

All about textbooks…

Textbooks are always a controversial topic. Most students have a love/hate relationship with them because you need them to learn, but the cost just about kills you each semester. We want to dispel some of the misunderstanding regarding how the textbook process works here at your University Campus Store.

Textbooks are definitely expensive, but why? The answer is production costs. Producing textbooks is extremely expensive. For example, many textbooks are printed on a higher quality acid free paper using a variety of color graphics and high quality images. It is extremely labor intensive to produce textbooks, and most books need to be continually updated because research and technology in many fields of study changes regularly. A considerable amount of time and money also goes into researching and verifying the data in the textbook before it is published. In addition, textbooks are produced on a smaller scale than mass market trade books and so it costs more to make each book. With all of this happening on the production end, the basic cost of the textbook is set by the publisher. They have to cover production, royalties and still produce revenue.

According to the National Association of College Stores, on average, each dollar spent on a textbook as of 2006 can be broken down like this: 66¢ goes to the publisher to cover production costs, operating expenses, and publisher revenue. Nearly 12¢ goes to the author in the form of royalties. The remaining 23¢ goes to the bookstore to pay for operating costs (i.e. rent, lights, phones, etc.), personnel expenses, freight costs, and revenue that is turned back to the University; depending on the store's ownership. The revenue that is given to the University by the Campus Store is approximately $.042 of every dollar in sales that the store generates.

One question that always seems to come up, especially at buyback, (see below), is "Why do publishers produce so many new editions of textbooks?" Publishers often print new editions to insure the textbook's content is up-to-date. Still, it is important to publishers to be able to maintain their return on investment in producing the textbook by maximizing the market for new textbook purchases. New editions are the publisher’s way of ensuring those purchases.

Textbooks also come in the form of bundles or packages when they are sold. Publishers have learned that by combining textbooks, study aids and ancillary materials into bundles, they eliminate the ability for students and professors to choose used books. Instructors often work with the publishers in creating these bundles to enhance the learning experience for students. This can increase the value of your education, but it does shrink the market for used textbooks in those particular classes as well.

Students are the only source of used books. Students, who for various reasons choose not to sell their books after completing their course work, reduce the number of used books available to other students. Students, who do not buy their books early, find that all the used books have been bought by students who shopped early. There are some instructors, though, who request that only new textbooks be used for their classes, a choice that can make it difficult for students on a tight budget.

Used textbooks can be a great educational resource and an excellent way for students to save money. Your Campus Bookstore knows and understands that. That is why we exhaust all options to shelve a minimum of 40% of our total textbooks as used books compared to the national average of 27% for large college stores.

The Buyback Process...

"Textbook Buyback" is a process in which your Campus Bookstore purchases textbooks back from students for resale. You are immediately given CASH back during buyback for any textbooks that have value. No in-store credit is ever offered. The Campus Bookstore offers two forms of book buyback. "Retail" buyback takes place during the week of final exams. This is when your Campus Store buys back textbooks ordered by instructors for the next semester. Students receive 50% of the current retail price until the Store's quota is filled. These books are then resold to incoming students at 25% less than the price of a new book. "Wholesale" buyback is offered year round. The textbooks that are bought back "wholesale" are purchased for a national market. A wholesale vendor believes they can find a market for the book and offers students a reduced price, usually 15-30% of the current retail based on supply and demand for those textbooks. Books bought from students by wholesalers are then sold to students in other colleges. Wholesale buyback is conducted year-round. Many of the used books made available to University of Utah students come from other Universities via this method. You can use the Campus Bookstore's website at any time to find out what value you are currently being offered for your textbook.

By visiting our website, www.bookstore.utah.edu, you can find all of the course materials information you need. Simply click on "Textbooks", select your term, course and section and the items needed for your class will appear with the pricing. You may choose to print out a shopping list to bring to the store, order your books online and pick them up in the store, or order your books online and have them shipped to you for a small fee. If you prefer to shop in the store rather than online, bring a copy of your class schedule and match the class and section number to the shelf tag underneath the course book. Remember to shop early for the best selection of used books.

The University Campus Bookstore expends considerable effort to provide the correct new and used course materials in a timely manner. The Campus Bookstore provides convenience and competitive prices. Furthermore, as a University-owned store, all profits from the Campus Bookstore remain on campus helping the University community. When shopping for course materials consider all the options and compare the out of pocket costs before you buy.

Textbook Refunds

To receive a full textbook refund at the University Campus Bookstore, you are required to have your original receipt and University ID, and request your refund prior to the deadline. When you purchase your books you will receive a copy of the return policy for that semester, with specific deadlines for full and partial refunds Requiring a picture ID and original receipt reduces theft. Requiring textbooks be returned by specific dates helps insure books not needed by students will be back on the shelf for those that do need them.

Because of the demand nationwide for used textbooks, used book wholesalers require their unsold used books be returned within 60 days to enable them to make the books available to students at other colleges and universities.

How Can You Save Money?

Students can save 5% on their textbook purchases by putting money on their U-card and then making their purchases at the University Campus Bookstore using the card. U-card machines are located in the bookstore by the south entrance and in the U-card office at the Union. The U-card may also be used to purchase other items at the 5% discount such as general books, school supplies and insignia apparel.

Students who sell and buy their books early can save money. Those students that sell their books at the beginning of buyback will have a better chance of getting more cash for their books. Students will receive 50% of the new price if the professor re-adopts the book for the following semester.

When students sell their books back to the Campus Bookstore during buyback, they receive a Bucky Buck for each book sold back. Each Bucky Buck is worth one dollar towards the purchase of a new or used textbook.

Your University Campus Store is Open 24 Hours a Day!

Ordering your textbooks online from the Campus Bookstore is a convenient and stress free way to start the semester. This gives you the best chance of finding used books, and you can shop 24/7 from the comfort of your home! After you have ordered your books you have the option of picking the books up at the Campus Bookstore or for a small fee, having the books shipped directly to you. In addition, because the Campus Bookstore links to your class schedule at the Registrar's Office, you are always assured of receiving the correct title for your class.

The Benefits of Being a Campus Store Employee…

Twice annually the Campus Bookstore offers student employee scholarships for eligible employees who have worked at the Campus Bookstore a minimum of six consecutive months. This scholarship can be used to purchase textbooks and supplies at the Campus Bookstore. The Campus Bookstore reserves permanent part-time positions for University of Utah students and makes every effort to work around class schedules. Many students find the University Campus Bookstore such a convenient and rewarding experience they spend their entire college career working with us!

Okay, now you know everything you need to know about the University Campus Store... at least, everything that's on the quiz. So if you're ready, click here to Begin the Quiz!