Textbook cover-up
Taped up textboook cover raises concerns
Chelsea Pflugh EDITOR IN CHIEF
Issue date: 10/20/09 Section: News
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At first glance, the textbook, "Text Messaging: Reading and Writing About Popular Culture" by John Alberti, appears to have a black cover with just a visible title and author, but further inspection will reveal the book is actually taped with black electrical tape. Two sections of English 1550 at Youngstown State University require the textbook for the fall semester. The book, found in the YSU Bookstore, is being sold at a used price of $56.25.
"I looked on the shelf to find a book that wasn't taped, but every single one was," Baker said. "I didn't really want to spend almost $60 on a book that was covered in tape."
Baker said she was unsure if the book was even the right one for the class because it didn't look right with the taped cover.
One day, Baker was interested enough to remove the tape on the textbook and found the words "Instructor's Copy" underneath it in bold letters. Baker's reaction was one of confusion and frustration.
"I was like, 'Why do I have a book that shouldn't be for sale?'" Baker said. "I was already ticked off that I had to pay for a book that was in perfect condition but was covered in tape. I didn't even know if I had the right book because it wasn't a student copy."
Baker said she took the book to her professor, Martina Holliday, when she realized she had the instructor's copy instead of the student copy.
"A couple other people [in my class] were talking about it," Baker said. "But when I talked to my professor, she said there was nothing we could do and just figured the bookstore ripped us off."
Baker also said Holliday has the "real student copy" of the book while all students are studying from the instructor's copies.
Though Baker said some other students in her class have also ripped the tape off of their textbooks to satisfy their curiosity, none had taken the matter to the bookstore.
"Everyone just figured that we got ripped off," Baker said.
The YSU Bookstore purchases used books from the MBS Textbook Exchange, Inc. in Columbia, Mo. Susanne Fox, associate director of the bookstore, said the books were already taped when they arrived from the warehouse.
"It's not like we get [the books] for free and then sell them," Fox said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 21
PatsyPJr
Patsy Piscitella Jr
posted 10/20/09 @ 11:19 AM EST
You know I think it speaks volumes that students were not shocked at all that the bookstore would try to "rip them off". I mean we all know how the economy isn't in the best of situations right now, but money has to be made, for everyone that means something different. (Continued…)
Billy Jean
posted 10/20/09 @ 11:25 AM EST
Isn't it a little strange that the book store seems so calm about these practices?
Tiff
posted 10/20/09 @ 4:55 PM EST
Absolutely absurd! The book was NOT TO BE SOLD. The bookstore sold it. Therefore, they are liable. How despicable and glib to say, "the book would be available for buy back at the end of the semester. (Continued…)
Bill Border
posted 10/21/09 @ 10:59 AM EST
It seems that the issue of it not being the bookstore ripping anybody off got missed. The bookstore still paid for the book. The supplier is the problem here and the publisher should be perusing legal action against the supplier. (Continued…)
jlt1969
John Mills
posted 10/21/09 @ 1:03 PM EST
What everyone is not realizing is where did the wholesaler get the book?
Answer....PROFESSOR'S
These books are given out to professors for REVIEW to see if they would like to adopt it for there class. (Continued…)
Robert
posted 10/21/09 @ 5:53 PM EST
A friend of mine who goes to the University of Alabama paid $300 dollars for a text book. My other friend who is attending YSU this semester has paid over $200 for an Anatomy text book. (Continued…)
john mills
posted 10/23/09 @ 10:14 AM EST
first off maybe sarah baker should check her books before she buys them i mean hello... but since she spends so much time talking bad about the bookstore I'am sure she could use the book next semester when she fails =)
Debbie
posted 10/25/09 @ 8:38 PM EST
John Mills, I find it hilarious that you think this entire situation is the students fault. Are you an idiot? As a student on a budget, I will NEVER buy a new textbook unless I have NO OTHER OPTION. (Continued…)
jlt1969
john mills
posted 11/03/09 @ 8:03 AM EST
EXCUSE ME, I am not the idiot YOU ARE!!!!!
If you state ethical, State and Federal laws regarding this issue........WHY DO PROFESSORS' SELL THE BOOKS THEY GET FOR FREE AS A REVIEW COPY TO THE BOOKSTORE?????!!!!!!
WHERE IS THEIR ETHICS????????
YOU ARE THE ASSHOLE. (Continued…)
2010Grad
posted 11/03/09 @ 11:07 AM EST
Let me get this straight John Mills, It is "OK" for the Bookstore and the Distributor to be unethical in selling the "Not for resale" books to students but not for the Professors? I understand your point, but I believe EVERYONE along this chain is responsible, including the profs. (Continued…)
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