LonghornBookExchange.com has created a website for the students of the University of Texas at Austin. The college website includes sections to exchange textbooks, find off campus housing, rate professors, a community calendar, a bulletin board...all useful tools for a college community. The launch, announced today, represents the best targeted website for UT student textbook exchanges. The site is a completely FREE SERVICE provided to the Students of the University of Texas at Austin. Unlike some other book exchange websites, Longhorn Book Exchange is not cluttered with advertising and annoying popup banners. All information captured (i.e. email addresses) are kept secure and never sold. The site allows UT students to sell, swap and buy used textbooks directly with other students.
LonghornBookExchange.com, in conjunction with Amazon.com, enables students to use powerful search tools to find the exact textbook for their class. Some of the ways to search, post, and sort books are by price, title, author, condition, ISBN, seller, and contact information. Students can easily search textbooks and then contact the seller. The seller has the option of including multiple methods of contact. (i.e. Phone #, Instant Messaging, Email) In addition, the site provides helpful articles and news on issues important to UT student life. The Longhorn Book Exchange creates an intelligent and easy-to-use way to sell, swap and buy used textbooks directly with other students online.
"LonghornBookExchange.com seeks to be a comprehensive source for helping UT students find the textbooks they need by enabling them to sell and post fast," stated Christian Lavender, President and CEO of LonghornBookExchange.com and AustinTonight.com. "We created the website in order to provide UT Students with a prime resource for selling and posting used textbooks, bypassing the bookstores and their high fees. Let's take a $ 100 book for example. Usually a used book store will pay you about $ 35 for that book and then resell it for around $ 70. What if you could skip the used book store and directly sell your book to that same person for $ 50? You'd get more and he'd pay less! Hopefully clearly listed prices and features will increase competition and lower prices."
Textbooks are expensive. Although you may consider some of your books valuable and keep them for future reference, most texts end up back in the system. Typically the campus store will purchase books back at 50 percent of sticker price and then resell at 75 percent sticker or list price. Of course, this is assuming that the book is going to be used on campus in the upcoming semester. If the book is not a sure bet or if an overload of copies comes in, then you’re stuck with a few dollars back or maybe nothing at all.
If you’re going the bookstore route, then you’re missing out on online options. Internet book buying/selling generally means lower overall prices for buyers and higher return rates for sellers. It’s a great option for students, especially returning students who can often wait out the market.
In response to the exceedingly high demand by students for cheaper options, companies have developed a plethora of options. LonghornBookExchange.com, a free service to students, exhibits used textbooks into a searchable and easy to navigate web site.
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