There isn’t a single person who’s attended college that doesn’t know about how expensive school text books can be. Everyone knows how the high prices really gouge students who, for the most part, are the ones who can’t afford to be gouged.It’s no secret that most of us are just limping along with what we have. Especially in these times watching how you spend is top priority. So, of course, when we’re offered the chance to get the same textbook we want for cheaper, we happily agree.

I’m obviously speaking of buying used. While there might be some drawbacks, there are usually many perks with buying used textbooks; but is it really worth it all the time?

Under most circumstances the answer to that question would be yes. While you might not have a new, pristine copy what you do get is one for much cheaper.

Most new books range above the $100 line. Used can be almost half that cost or less, depending on where you get it or how “used” it is. Plus, you are sort of saving trees by buying used, as you aren’t wasting the resources to have a new one made, because there’s no demand for new if most people are buying used.

If you’re really lucky you might actually get a copy that already has some important things highlighted in it, or even personal notes from the previous student, that would give you a great idea on what you should pay extra attention to for that class.

I love the books I’ve gotten where a previous student high-lighted something and then wrote an arrow to it in the margins along with, “This will be on the test!” Stuff like that isn’t always something your professors will have the courtesy of telling you.

It’s like that driver on the road, going the opposite direction from you, who flashes his brights to let you know you should slow down because there’s either an accident or a cop ahead of you.

However, most students are smart and know this already. This wouldn’t be a very interesting article if I were just telling everyone what they know to be true, so I’ll tell you now that recently I’ve found that buying used books from schools like MATC is not always worth it.

Now that classes have started I’m sure all of you, who have the classes utilizing this feature, are aware that some books come with a special code that you can input online and get extra material for your class.

All the classes I have come with a code, and they are really nice. I can go online and get,extra slides, study material,practice quizzes and other interesting guides that my
professors don’t completely cover in class. For me,having this extra content is really helpful for studying and memorizing the material. The only thing is, I have these codes because I bought my books late in the game and my only option was to purchase the new versions. This really isn’t the problem. My classes recommend that I use the codes and access this extra material, but it isn’t necessary.

So what do you do if your class needs this code? Let’s say your professor actually grades you on the quizzes online and thus the class would require that you have this code?

Well, if you bought a used textbook, to save money, you can’t do that. The only time you wouldn’t have this problem is if the student was the “bare minimum” type and just used the book for what it was and that was it. Then of course the code in back would have gone unused.

A class like “Business Communications(RBUS-111)” is one such class, and it isn’t the only one like it at MATC either. So students in this class, and others like it, found out last week that they need this code to actually do some of the work for the class, to pass.

I sat in the bookstore and watched my husband try to exchange his book for another. With him were about five or six other members from his class, all attempting to do the same thing. For some reason the bookstore was out of new copies, so their only offer was to exchange one used copy for another. I already discussed above that this is hit or miss depending on how much the previous student used that book.

Here is where it gets really unfair. The student is left with 3 choices: Keep trying to exchange their copy (assuming the bookstore will allow them to try multiple times) in hopes of finding one that works, pay the difference for a new copy, or go online and purchase a code for a fee, that in the end would put the cost to the same as if you just bought new in the first place.

So the student who was hoping to save some cash, on their already tight budget, doesn’t have that option anymore. I understand life isn’t always fair. My parents really drilled that concept into me, as a kid, whenever I cried “But that’s not fair!” But this, this almost deliberate way of getting more money through new book purchases, is totally uncalled for. I have no problem with a class requiring this code. What I have a problem with is the school still offering this illusion of an option to buy a used book for that class. If you’re going to require this code, then don’t even give the student the option of used. Make it new book purchases across the board for that class and tell the student why up front, when they are making the purchase with all their other books.

Or, if you want to allow students the option of buying used then the teacher needs to accommodate those student’s financial needs and not make it a requirement. Instead, why not make it an extra credit option? This way, it’s not a necessity to have that code. You can still pass the class without it. However, if you really wanted the extra credit, and felt it was worth the extra fee (assuming you bought used), you could have that extra option available to you.

Students should not be punished financially for wanting to better themselves through education. It’s like the amusement parks raising their food prices because they know you either have nowhere else to go or you’d have to go out of your way to do it and thus wouldn’t.

There is a difference between unfair and just plain not right. I feel this falls under the latter of those two and MATC, and
other schools like it, should really rethink how they deal with situations like this.
We chose to attend this school over all the other options out there, so why not return the favor? Most students need to save the money. Heck, in this economy,everyone needs to save any way they can.

I urge other students to speak up about this, or at the very least, be aware now that buying used could run you into some trouble if your class requires a code that comes with your book.

Make sure you check with your teacher ahead of time before making your purchases. It doesn’t hurt to wait until after the first day of class to find out. Just explain to your professors why, if they ask. Good luck on the new semester and much more luck on saving your hard earned dollar!