Guaranteed textbook buyback expands

In hopes of luring more buyers, UNC Student Stores is expanding its guaranteed textbook buyback program to include 26 titles.

Under the policy, Student Stores will refund half of the original shelf price, even if the student purchased the book used.

Most of the 3,761 required and optional texts sold in Student Stores are excluded from the buyback guarantee. The program targets large introductory courses with enrollments of 250 or more.

The Student Stores initiative joins rental and buyback programs at Franklin Street textbook stores.

At Student Stores, faculty members drive the program. Each department must decide how long it is willing to commit to a textbook and individually report to Student Stores.

If the books aren't going to be used again, Student Stores decides refund amounts based on offers from other vendors - and students usually don't get as much back.

The program was an initiative by the President's Advisory Committee on Efficiency and Effectiveness, a committee created by UNC-system President Erskine Bowles in 2005 to try to cut rapidly increasing textbook prices for all students attending state universities.

Sophomore Elizabeth Mauldin said she spent about $500 per semester on textbooks last year.

"I returned seven books and only received $85 back, so the guaranteed buyback will definitely give me more money," Mauldin said.

Although the program went into effect last spring, textbook department manager Kelly Hanner said the response this semester has been more positive.

"It was bad timing for faculty because it's hard to review and make a commitment to a textbook in the middle of year," Hanner said. "This coming fall has been a more appropriate and comfortable time."

Ram Book & Supply on Franklin Street guarantees to buy back any book used within the last year, excluding workbooks, coursepacks and lab manuals. The amount they pay is based on if the book is being used at UNC the next semester and the nationwide demand.

"Any book that we sell, we'll buy back," said Jeremy Brown, Ram Book & Supply manager. "There is a nationwide market for books, so even if it's not going to be used on this campus . the book can be used somewhere else."

Ram Book & Supply also has a limited textbook rental program.

Options are similar at Tarheel Book Store.

"Buyback is an essential part of our business," said Christian Campbell, Tarheel Book Store manager. "We base our buybacks on market forces, and that comes down to supply and demand forces."

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.