It used to be, that when thoughts of a traditional  college bookstore came to mind, the word, overpriced usually followed it. With the advances in technology and books being available online now for cheaper prices, it seems like more and more that students are choosing alternative options over your conservative college bookstores.

The most popular examples are “Amazon” where you can buy New or Used books from numerous sellers registered throughout the site and “CHEGG” which is an online book rental site that allows you to rent books at your own convenience and send them back at the end of the semester.

Although these can be good choices, you run the risk of receiving damaged goods or even the wrong item shipped and the convenience you’re expecting isn’t always guaranteed so when the wrong item is shipped you may end up waiting extra weeks to receive the correct product which by then may have become a hassle.

The Fresno City bookstore has text books labeled under courses and instructors for your convenience. They also have sales associates that can help you find your books to ensure your visit is comfortable and hassle free. A common question that students would like to know is how are the text book prices determined here at the FCC bookstore? And the answer is publishers sell textbooks at a net price to the bookstore, it is then calculated at a 25 percent margin on the retail price which includes shipping and handling.

According to Gina Tarvin, an Accounting Technician for the Fresno City Bookstore, “The main cause for students’ perception of higher prices is based on the new experience of buying books compared to high school where books were furnished free with every class.” This makes sense because the majority of these students are on their own and now understand the value of a dollar therefore resulting in complaints high of price.

Some services that the FCC bookstore offers are 7am-9pm availability plus the online bookstore which opens the day books go on sale. It says open throughout the semester on the FCC website under the bookstore heading or you can also find it at mycampushub.com if you order your books online and they will be shipped to your home, within 2-3 business days for a $11.95 shipping charge. Another service the FCC bookstore offers is a five business day return policy unless it is the last four weeks of school during which there are no returns.

But during the last weeks when there are no returns a buyback company will be on campus with a list of books that can be sold at a wholesale price back to the company as long as they are in good condition with no visible damages. Janet Santillan a purchasing clerk says that the bookstore promotes its motto “keep it on campus, by contributing to the co-curricular with well over one hundred thousand dollars per year of earned income through sales on campus and contributes to student activity organizations and other club events on campus.”

The Fresno City bookstore receives no external funding from the district nor do they receive any of the student tuition fees; therefore it is important that students buy from the bookstore to ensure these services stay around. The bookstore is independently funded and relies solely on sales money to keep their business stimulated.

So next time you are looking to buy some textbooks at the beginning of your semester, look at the big picture. As a student of Fresno City College, if you pay a couple of extra dollars at the bookstore, you will be helping your campus as well as helping yourself.

Book Prices

Amazon:

The Alchemist -$11.16 w/shipping

Backpack Writing (English 1A)-$44.41 w/shipping

Custom Introductory Algebra- $117.55 w/shipping

Biology: Concepts & Connections- $141.59 w/shipping

FCC:

The Alchemist- $16.33 (New)- Backpack Writing (English1A)-$58.15 (New)

Custom Introductory Algebra- $134.83 (New)

Biology: Concepts & Connections- $173.52 (New)

CHEGG:

The Alchemist- $11.87 w/shipping (used to keep)

Backpack Writing (English1A)-$26.13 w/shipping (used  to keep)

Custom Introductory Algebra- $106.8 w/shipping (used to keep)

Biology: Concepts & Connections- $40.86 (rent until end of semester)

University Bookstore:

The Alchemist- Not in stock Backpack Writing (English1A)- $38.15 (Used)

Custom Introductory Algebra- $97.01 (Used)

Biology: Concepts & Connections- $107.91 (Used)