Bookstore tries out renting program

The SGA Bookstore began experimenting with a new option for students to rent textbooks during the Fall 2010 semester. Eight titles are available to rent at a discount from the purchase price. The rental fees range from $44 for a psychology book to $127 for a financial accounting text.

According to Bookstore Manager, Joe Flynn, the rental fees were determined by comparing other rental company's prices and by considering a books buyback value.

"It's like getting your sell-back money upfront," Flynn said.

Flynn pointed out that renting from the bookstore eliminates the waiting period and shipping costs that can make online renting problematic.

According to Flynn, this test-run has shown great promise to this point.

"It has been very successful considering we got into it a little late," Flynn said.

Students should expect to see "significantly more" titles available for rent, according to Flynn.

Though immediately cheaper than purchasing, renting can still be pricey and has its own set of problems.

When renting online, students have to consider shipping costs, the time it takes to ship, and getting the correct book.

While there is no denying that having a place on campus to rent books would eliminate those worries, the cheaper option may remain more appealing.

When comparing three of the books offered to rent at the bookstore to the popular book renting Web site, chegg.com, the bookstore was cheaper two out of three times.

Out of the three books, the one which the bookstore had the best value was "Basic Practice of Statistics." It would cost a student $60.99 plus shipping to rent from chegg.com, but only $52 to rent from the bookstore.

"Issues in Economics" is initially cheaper on chegg.com at $48.49. But, if you add in the cheapest shipping cost of $4.99, it exceeds the bookstore's rate of $50.

"McKnight's Physical Geography," would still be cheaper than renting from the bookstore-even if a student added a one-day-shipping for $15.99.

Students who lucked out to have a class who's required textbook is available for renting at the bookstore made it clear that renting textbooks is the way to go. Flynn said he recognizes the importance of keeping up with the growing trend.

According to Flynn, book rental is a feature the bookstore must offer if it wants to stay competitive.

"We want to keep our market share," Flynn said.

Melissa McGivern, 19, exploratory exercise science major, expressed an interest in the new program.

McGivern transferred from Lock Haven University. She said she spent almost $1,000 on books last year between both semesters.

She said this semester she rented her Child Development book from the bookstore for $91, opposed to buying it for $144.20.

"It isn't a book I would need to hold on to for my major and it's cheaper," McGivern said.

But that wasn't her only reason for renting the book.

"You can't be sure what you would get at buy back either," McGivern said.

Many students fear that the bookstore won't buy back one or more of their particular books at the end of the semester.

McGivern said paying less to rent the book in the first place eases a little bit of that apprehension.

The rental process is similar to buying any other textbook.

Students still pick up their books in the basement of the Union and purchase them upstairs.

A specific register runs all of the rental transactions, due to the paperwork that accompanies the rental.

When a student rents, they have to fill out two forms. Both forms have the same seven-rule contract that the student must agree to uphold.

The bookstore must also keep a credit card number on file for all students who rent in order to charge those who do not return on time.

According to Barb Massella, the cashier handling the rentals, those credit card numbers are locked away with limited access.

This is Massella's first year working for the bookstore and she was surprised when she first saw how much students pay for books.

"It surprises me how many students are not shocked by their totals," Massella said.

She said that students who rented books tended to be pleasantly surprised with how much-or how little-they were spending.