Spring Break
Web site offers alternative to Bookstore prices
Greg Gentile
Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: News
12/09/08 - A new textbook buying and selling Web site is getting mixed opinions from University of Rhode Island students.
It all started when Afeez Oladapo Olalekan wanted to find a new way to sell his used textbooks for more money than the university's bookstore would offer.
Olalekan and a friend came across www.ISellMyTextbook.com one day. This Facebook supported Web site is like a student-run eBay for textbooks.
Olalekan quickly signed up URI, and began promoting it. Its purpose is not meant to spark competition between the site and the URI Bookstore, but rather to create an open market for students at the same university to buy used books directly from another student, Olalekan said.
"It's not going to disturb the Bookstore's business, because after two years they update all of their books. So, the student will need to buy from them again," Olalekan said.
Although there is a chance sellers will receive more money for their books by selling them on the Web site, there is no guarantee that someone will buy them. If that fails, students can always sell their books back to the Bookstore.
"If enough people join [the Web site], there is no way someone won't buy it," Olalekan said.
He believes the chance a book won't sell shouldn't be a problem, or an excuse to not post textbooks Online.
Zach Stolow a student senate representative, said in an e-mail to Olalekan that the senate cannot help him promote the Web site because the Bookstore helps the school with many functions. Also senate is not allowed to promote third party organizations, he said.
Other students, like sophomore Joanna Ricci are hesitant to use the site. "The Bookstore still seems more convenient," she said.
Ricci did, however, say that if a student put in the extra effort to post his or her books Online, it would be good way to save "a couple more bucks."
Some hope the site's lower prices will bring lower prices to Bookstore shelves.
"I think it will encourage the bookstore to lower their prices," Freshman Jeff Cedroni said.
Since the Bookstore has had very limited competition, it has total control over the campus' book buying and selling market.
To access the Web site, students can search for the facebook.com group, iSellMyTextBook at URI.
It all started when Afeez Oladapo Olalekan wanted to find a new way to sell his used textbooks for more money than the university's bookstore would offer.
Olalekan and a friend came across www.ISellMyTextbook.com one day. This Facebook supported Web site is like a student-run eBay for textbooks.
Olalekan quickly signed up URI, and began promoting it. Its purpose is not meant to spark competition between the site and the URI Bookstore, but rather to create an open market for students at the same university to buy used books directly from another student, Olalekan said.
"It's not going to disturb the Bookstore's business, because after two years they update all of their books. So, the student will need to buy from them again," Olalekan said.
Although there is a chance sellers will receive more money for their books by selling them on the Web site, there is no guarantee that someone will buy them. If that fails, students can always sell their books back to the Bookstore.
"If enough people join [the Web site], there is no way someone won't buy it," Olalekan said.
He believes the chance a book won't sell shouldn't be a problem, or an excuse to not post textbooks Online.
Zach Stolow a student senate representative, said in an e-mail to Olalekan that the senate cannot help him promote the Web site because the Bookstore helps the school with many functions. Also senate is not allowed to promote third party organizations, he said.
Other students, like sophomore Joanna Ricci are hesitant to use the site. "The Bookstore still seems more convenient," she said.
Ricci did, however, say that if a student put in the extra effort to post his or her books Online, it would be good way to save "a couple more bucks."
Some hope the site's lower prices will bring lower prices to Bookstore shelves.
"I think it will encourage the bookstore to lower their prices," Freshman Jeff Cedroni said.
Since the Bookstore has had very limited competition, it has total control over the campus' book buying and selling market.
To access the Web site, students can search for the facebook.com group, iSellMyTextBook at URI.
