Congressman Tim Ryan: Making College Affordable

[yz250thatownsyou]

wow, you made textbooks more affordable.

[crimps321]

I think this is a wonderful idea and certainly responds to a very real problem facing college students like me. As the bill only authorizes, not appropriates the money, what are the chances that the money (or at least some money) will be appropriated?

[smahamike]

Excellent job Brad and Congressman! Keep up the good work!

[bradbauman]

Mike! Thanks a million man, look for more soon.

[epicadam]

Useless amendment... the main reasons you can't sell your books are: 1) professors don't use them again 2) the publisher switches editions each year or 3) the professor requires additional software that comes free with the book, but costs anywhere from $20-$100 if you need to buy it a la carte. To lower textbook costs, schools need to standardize what books are used in each course and publishers need to end the slew of new editions. Fat chance of either happening.

[bradbauman]

I think you are missing the goal of the amendment. It doesn't matter if there is additional software, or if the teacher decides to change books. You are saving money up front because you are renting the book for $35 dollars rather than buying it for $110.

[epicadam]

Where would the books come from in the first place? Would the school purchase them? Why would a school purchase the books and then rent them to students for $35? What if that book is never used again (e.g. different prof. or new edition)? What if the publisher sells the book with software for $60 but charges $60 for the software by itself? What savings is there by renting the book and then paying an extra $60 f/ software? I spent a long time in the book biz and know this amendment won't work.

[bradbauman]

Adam,

Check out these programs for yourself. The model has been proven:

San Mateo County Community College District Bookstores, San Mateo, California

o Over 8,000 students at three campuses participated in the program renting 400 different textbooks titles.

o Books were rented at 25% of the new book price.

o Retail value of the textbooks rented was $943,310 if purchased new.

o Students renting textbooks were able to save a total of $707,483!! (Aug 05 -- Jan 08)

[bradbauman]

University of Central Missouri Bookstore:

• Rental program consists of 258 undergraduate titles & 16,500 volumes

• Flat rate, per book rental fee is $36 compared to an average new retail price of $110

• Text rental reduces the total cost of education

• Average student expense for textbooks is $275/semester

[bradbauman]

I've got three more programs just like these that are already in operation and WORK. I say, we just give this a chance and see what happens.