Bookstores vary on prices of textbooks

For most students, the word "textbook" brings to mind images of long lines and high prices.

With three major bookstores located on campus, the choice of which store to visit can appear overwhelming to incoming students. While each of the stores offer similar inventory, shoppers can find minor variations in price.

"I've gone to all three stores and found the prices and availability to be similar," said LSA sophomore Leslie Besso.

While prices on some books are higher at the Michigan Union Bookstore, located in the basement of the Michigan Union on State Street, some students are attracted by its convenient location and a price-matching plan.

"I went to the Union bookstore because it was close," said LSA sophomore Melissa Langevin.

JESSICA JOHNSON/Daily An employee at the Michigan Union Bookstore helps a University student find his books for the semester yesterday in the Michigan Union.

"We have price-matching where we guarantee the lowest prices, and if we don't, we match and beat any price from a bookstore within the community," said John Battaglino, general manager of the Michigan Union Bookstore. The store also guarantees half-price returns on some of its books.

Ulrich's Book Store, located on the corner of South University Avenue and East University Avenue, is a popular bookstore among students.

"The general perception is that we have the lowest prices. Generally, we get the No. 1 (bookstore) ranking from students based on our customer service and knowledge," said Dave Richards, general manager of Ulrich's.

"They were friendly in there and helped me find my books," said LSA first-year student Bess Bowers. "It didn't take very long at all."

Michigan Book & Supply, located on the corner of State Street and North University Avenue, offers some of the best prices for entry-level textbooks in numerous courses and has a large selection of used textbooks.

"Students come here for the convenience and used book availability," said Steve Schindler, store manager at Michigan Book & Supply. "We buy early and keep them in the back room. Publishers usually raise their prices in June, and we try to buy in April and May.

"The three bookstores in town have tried to push professors to get their orders in early so that we can buy before the price increase and find more used books."

Having three similar and competing bookstores on campus is not a situation unique to the University.

"At Arkansas, there is one (bookstore) that is funded by the University, and two that are independently owned," said Serena Hunt, a sophomore at the University of Arkansas, who was on campus this week.

One of the major complaints from students about buying textbooks is the high prices.

"The process of getting books isn't a problem, but the prices are disagreeable," said Rackham first-year student Haggai Elitzur.

Managers agreed that prices have risen markedly at many bookstores.

"Increases have been greater than inflation the last few years." Richards said. "There is really no reason for it, other than the publishers can get away with it."

Battaglino said he feels badly that students pay such high prices for textbooks.

"Publishing houses are the most profitable institution in the country and feel threatened by the emergence of electronic companies, such as Microsoft (Corp.)," he said. "Bookstore margins have actually gone down in the last few years."

09-08-98