Students given different options for selling textbooks by bookstore, vans

As the end of the semester nears, many students start considering selling their textbooks in order to make some extra money. However, many students aren't aware of the different options that are available when it comes to selling their books.

According to Joe Flynn, manager of the SGA Bookstore, the "Cash for Books" program is run by Follett Higher Education and will be available in four locations this year.

"The book has to be adopted again for next semester in order for us to buy it back," Flynn said. "If the professor tells us that a particular book is going to be used again, the student will get at least half of the new book price."

According to Flynn, if a book is not adopted by a professor for the upcoming semester, it will go back to the company. Flynn believes that "Cash for Books" is the right way to go for several reasons that benefit the students.

"We have a stake in the university, and we are helping with the new student union and work with a lot of other student groups," he said. "We also check I.D.s to make sure that the book isn't stolen."

"Cash for Books" will also be featuring a new offer this year. If a student puts their book buyback dollars onto an SGA Bookstore gift card, the student will earn 10 percent more.

"We are going to be very competitive this year," Flynn said.

Flynn also believes that selling textbooks back to the bookstore is more convenient for students.

"Selling books back on campus is more convenient than going online or anywhere else because you don't have to wait for the sale to clear," he said. "Also, the money and the books stay on campus, so they are guaranteed to be used for the next year."

"Cash for Books" will be available at the SGA Bookstore on Friday, December 9 from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, December 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, December 12 and Tuesday, December 13 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, December 14 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, December 15 and Friday, December 16 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, December 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The other locations will be at Watson Hall and North Hall on Friday, December 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and December 12 through the 16th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. "Cash for Books" will be available at University Village on Friday, December 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As an alternative option when it comes to selling textbooks, many students choose to go to the white van that is usually seen outside of Subway, but most people aren't aware where the van comes from. Penn Text, who operates the book buyback service, is a company that is based out of Downingtown, Pa., and has been in operation for about 10 years, according to Thomas Wallace, who works for the company. Wallace has been with the company for about four years, which is how long they have been coming to Slippery Rock.

"At first, we got hassled by zoning officers and the bookstore, but it's all about the competition and being here for the students," he said.

According to Wallace, the company was originally founded by a student from West Chester University in order to help students who were looking for other options when it came to selling textbooks.

"We service hundreds of schools," Wallace said. "Our books go back to multiple wholesalers, unlike the bookstore who only has one."

Wallace's sister, Jessica Wallace, has been with the company for about eight years.

"We're all about making students more money and giving them more options," she said. "It's not necessarily the most convenient option, but we normally offer more money than they would at the bookstore."

Penn Text's van will be available to students all next week in the Subway parking lot.