Crossing the entrance to any textbook store in Chapel Hill is an experience many students would like to skip.
“It was like stepping into Barnes and Noble, on steroids,” Sachiv Shah, a sophomore, said about his first visit to UNC Student Stores three semesters ago. “I had never spent so much time, money and effort buying books I never wanted in the first place.”
As the new semester begins, off-campus retailers Ram Book & Supply and Tarheel Book Store are implementing new deals, systems and benefits to attract student customers.
Many bargain-hunting students shop at online sources, like Amazon.com. and Half.com, operated by eBay, offers used and new textbooks from $50 to almost $70 cheaper than local stores.
“Even with shipping and handling it was way cheaper than buying it at a local place,” sophomore Chris Ellis said. “Even having to wait a few extra days is worth it with what they offer.”
Student Stores
John Jones, Director of UNC Student Stores, encourages students to appreciate that about $1 million in sales revenue annually is funneled into the University’s graduate and undergraduate scholarship programs.
“In a way, purchasing our books helps other students go to school,” Jones said.
Also, Student Stores guarantees buybacks on textbooks for introductory classes with 250 or more students, in keeping with a systemwide mandate of buybacks for introductory textbooks.
Ram Book & Supply
306 W. Franklin St.
Students are able to rent selected used books for the semester, getting their deposit money back once the book is returned. Store Manager Jeremy Brown said the program was a great success last semester.
