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As unfortunate as it may be, the back-to-school season is nigh.
College students are notorious for being broke, perhaps this year more than usual with the economy in dire straits. Cash-strapped and looking for convenience, students need to know their options for buying textbooks.
The Daily Nebraskan comparison-shopped the two area college bookstores plus Amazon.com and Half.com to find the best deals.
The University Bookstore is located on the lower level of the Nebraska Union.
The main perk of shopping at the University Bookstore is time-saving, said Kelly Bartling, news manager at University Communication.
"Primarily, you need to look at convenience. All your materials are in one place," she said.
At the University Bookstore, students have the ability to pay with an NCard and place charges on their consolidated bill.
"You can walk in, purchase your books, walk out within 15 to 20 minutes," she said.
The Nebraska Bookstore is located at 13th and Q streets, across from the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center. Their main platform is lower book prices.
"The benefit is all about price; the Nebraska Bookstore has the lowest prices … It all boils down to the best prices in town," said Sue Riedman, vice president of marketing and corporate communications at Nebraska Book Company.
Amazon.com and Half.com may offer better deals than local bookstores, but shipping can sharply rise prices and wait time can become an inconvenience. With Half.com, the condition of the books are another variable students need to consider.
Between the two bookstores, the University Bookstore had the most books in stock, both used and new. The Nebraska Bookstore usually had the lowest prices on used books but was not always well stocked.
Amazon was a middle-of-the-road pick with decent prices on used books, but shipping and handling nearly doubled the cost in some instances. Half.com had the lowest prices by far, but the condition of the books and waiting time for shipping could cause inconvenience.
It boils down to how fast books are needed and the price of that convenience.
Despite bookstore rivalry, Bartling and Riedman could agree on one thing: capitalist competition is vital.
"Students are lucky to have two competing bookstores in town," Bartling said. "It keeps prices low and keeps it competitive for them."
"I think that competition in the market is important," Riedman said. "I think it ensures that students get the best prices for textbooks."
tomhelberg@dailynebraskan.com
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