Students can say goodbye to the days they waited in long lines with hopes of collecting only a fraction of what their used textbooks are worth.
Michael Wellman, an Electrical Engineering and Computer Science professor, and LSA senior Ryan Papa are currently renovating an online auction site, named the "auction bot," where students can buy and sell their used books.
"The auction is made for students who would like more money for their books and students can find cheaper books there," Papa said.
Shaman Drum Bookstore manager Hobart Taylor explained the reasons for "high" textbook prices. He said wholesale book companies often set the prices for the buybacks when the book will not be used the next semester.
"People are under the illusion that buyback prices are terribly low but they are subject to the laws of supply and demand," Taylor said.
When books are going to be used during the next semester, owners usually receive half of the money they originally spent for textbooks, Taylor said.
Papa said the existing auction has been in use for more than one year, but he hopes to make it easier to use.
Wellman, who supervises the project, is a member of a research group that focuses on artificial intelligence in engineering. They formed the online textbook auction for students in an attempt to contribute to the growing Internet community.
"We wanted to show how it can be done," Wellman said. "It also serves as an infrastructure for our own research."
All University students are eligible to use the bidding site. After entering an uniqname and password for authorization, students follow a series of instructions.
By entering the name of the class that requires the textbook and the book's title, students are able to accept and make bids. Each website visitor also receives an account that allows them to check the status of their bids.
LSA junior Jackie Bertin said that after having a bad used-book-selling experience at a bookstore, she would benefit from using the auction site.
"I would use it. You can save money and avoid being ripped off at the bookstores" Bertin said. "You don't even have to leave home to use it."
Daniel Racey, an Engineering senior, said the online bidding system can save time that is usually spent waiting in bookstore lines.
"It seems convenient and accessible and it will save me a half-hour of waiting in line at the bookstore," Racey said.
Taylor said the auction does not threaten him because the service is helpful to students.
"I am supportive of any efforts that increase students' ability to receive the highest amount of money for their books," Taylor said.
Students can access the online auction at http://auction.eecs.umich.edu.
BOHDAN DAMIAN CAP/Daily
Paul Edsall, a recent Ann Arbor Pioneer High School graduate, stocks book for next semester's classes at Shaman Drum Bookstore on State Street.