Bookstore Sounding Board
Simply because this genre of books is not in my personal interests, I've never read Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight" books, nor do I think I ever will. However, I have been bothered to learn recently about the graphic content in the fourth book, Breaking Dawn. The excerpts I've seen offer shocking descriptions of their honeymoon consummation, as well as extremely bloody and gory scenes in other chapters. I understand that, "Paying attention to legal and moral limits, the Bookstore has a tradition of endorsing agency in its merchandise mix." But seeing how Breaking Dawn could so easily be dubbed "sleezy" literature, is it really appropriate for the bookstore to allow the book on it's bookshelves?
Drat. I haven’t read Breaking Dawn, which is essential for a discussion, so I can’t comment on the content. Worse yet, I won’t be able to read it until May. But if you’re still interested, I will read it then—the whole book—by June 1. I ask you to do the same, and then we’ll chat further. Let me know if you find this offer something you’d like to do. In the meantime, as much as I hate passing the buck, I recommend you go to an employee in the General Book Department (Don and Anita are usually at their desks) and ask them your question.(Posted 2/23/2009)
Why does whole university, bookstore and foodcourt included, shut down during devotional?
Brad, this decision came not from the BKST but from the ASB, so for a precise response you need to ask further. It’s a good bet, however, that the closings have to do with encouraging attendance at the Marriott Center. It has not always been so, it may not always be so, but it is now so, and we unfailingly and unflinchingly click the locks at 10:45 on Tuesdays.(Posted 2/23/2009)
This is not so much a question but a thought I would post on this board. This semester I almost accepted that I would have to pay $450 for my books this semester; however, I had the thought to buy online, check the book exchange, and borrow from friends. Though I am grateful that I will only have to pay $230 I still had a question about the bookstore and their price markup. So I read through a large quantity of posts on this board and one thing impressed me. When a student made a hostile post the response was always civil, understanding and professional. I just want to thank whoever is on the other end of this message board for being a good example to the student body. I do not like the way text book prices are rising as much as anyone else, but I think that the bookstore should not be all to blame. They have costs that the have to meet, and some of their costs come from the excellent return policy that they offer us. We as students should be as understanding as the bookstore is to us and cut them a little slack.
Stephen, this mature comment stunned us. We live in the strident 21st Century where far too often “My View is The Only View,” and seldom see someone with understanding which reaches across the aisle. Thank you for taking the time to write and express your insight. And please give our gratitude to your parents for having raised you so remarkably well.(Posted 2/22/2009)
Is it possible to get the ISBN and other more detailed information from my online book list? If so, how?
You can get ALL the details from your online book list one week before classes start. Why not earlier? If you truly want to know, you will have to read this rather lengthy response that follows. But that’s the price that has to be paid for knowledge and understanding. The lengthy explanation: Compiling an accurate list of almost 5,000 textbook titles each semester takes considerable expense and effort. All facts have to be verified. In addition to the standard information (author, title, edition, etc.), some texts come in different packages with options like an online homework and grading system, password packet, workbook, CD, web site access code, DVD, different configurations of music CDs, anthologies with one name but different volumes (1A, 2A, 3C, 3D, ABL, G, or I?) Does the professor really want to order the 4th edition as requested when the current edition is the 6th? We make calls to professors and publishers to be sure everything is correct. And we can’t simply cut and paste from the previous semester because each time more than a third of the texts are new. Three reasons we do what we do—and don’t do more. 1. If we post the final, polished list online six weeks early, the possibility exists that an enterprising entrepreneur will take it and open a competing bookstore. That can and does happen. No university bookstore, of any kind, wants to donate its labor and business information to a competitor. Even state universities, because of the Freedom of Information Act, must provide the raw data from the professors but a legal ruling protects them from having to share the final, polished list. BYU is a private school and is not required to provide data to potential competitors. 2. The major reason students want ISBNs online is to make shopping easier by being able to cut and paste data into online stores. If students want ISBNs, they are available early in the Bookstore. So why don’t we make things completely easy and post them online? The Bookstore, like all on-campus businesses, is expected to be self-sustaining and must pay all its expenses. In our case, that means fixtures, shelving, payroll, utilities, shipping, upkeep, remodeling, and rent (yes, rent-—we don’t even get the space free), plus making a small profit which then goes back to the university. We can’t keep the profit, but we have to earn it. And we don’t get a dime from outside sources--not the Church, not donations, not tuition. This is not our decision. This is our mandate. We are a self-sustaining business, and as long as the university wants us to be a business, we have to make a profit. 3. When you buy from the Bookstore you are protected even when a mistake is made (inevitable with 5,000 titles) or situations change. The nature of a university is that faculty will change their minds and students will change their schedules. We give you a full refund no matter the source of the problem. But we can’t offer a refund when you buy elsewhere. One example. A student bought a required text from another source. On the first day of class, the professor said that text is optional. The student brought it to us wanting a refund because he bought it from our information in good faith, identifying it as required. We pulled the written request from the professor, showing he required it. When called, the professor said he changed his mind and forgot to notify the Bookstore. Had the student bought it here, he would have had a full refund. We know you can sometimes buy for less elsewhere. Some online sellers do not offer refunds, so if the book is the right one and you paid less, you win. If the book is the wrong edition or not needed, then you lose. If you want to be protected, we simply caution you to investigate the support you get from your seller. The BYU Bookstore has the same markup (25%) as Amazon, other university bookstores in the USA, and the publishers themselves when they sell online. In addition, we offer instant and full refunds, whatever the reason you return a book. The final comment: If you have any questions or concerns, Tom Hirtzel, Textbook Manager in the Textbook Office on the upper level of the Bookstore, would honestly be happy to visit with you. (By the way, he is a genuinely nice guy. Give him a chance.)(Posted 2/22/2009)
I love the idea of the book list. It is really going to help my shopping, once it is posted at least. I had hoped to buy books online before I left and have them shipped to my grandfather's house. Sadly, I have to wait until a week before school starts to get the list. Can you please try to post earlier next semester, even just two weeks? I understand that sometimes the book selection has not been finalized, but I am unable to believe that none of the professors know what book they will use until a week ahead of classes. Maybe you could start posting two weeks early, and only guarentee that all the books will be listed by one week before. Thanks. I think this would help a lot of us.
We do have information earlier than a week before school starts, Rissa. Students can get the complete information, including ISBN for each title, six weeks before classes begin by looking on the shelf tags for each textbook or the comprehensive list at the information desk. We don’t put ISBNs online until a week before the semester starts for three reasons. But first, an overview. Compiling an accurate list of almost 5,000 textbook titles each semester takes considerable expense and effort. All facts have to be verified. In addition to the standard information (author, title, edition, etc.), some texts come in different packages with options like an online homework and grading system, password packet, workbook, CD, web site access code, DVD, different configurations of music CDs, anthologies with one name but different volumes (1A, 2A, 3C, 3D, ABL, G, or I?) Does the professor really want to order the 4th edition as requested when the current edition is the 6th? We make calls to professors and publishers to be sure everything is correct. And we can’t simply cut and paste from the previous semester because each time more than a third of the texts are new. Now the three reasons. 1. If we post the final, polished list online six weeks early, the possibility exists that an enterprising entrepreneur will take it and open a competing bookstore. That can and does happen. No university bookstore, of any kind, wants to donate its labor and business information to a competitor. Even state universities, because of the Freedom of Information Act, must provide the raw data from the professors but a legal ruling protects them from having to share the final, polished list. BYU is a private school and is not required to provide data to potential competitors. 2. The major reason students want ISBNs online is to make shopping easier by being able to cut and paste data into online stores. If students want ISBNs, they are available early in the Bookstore. So why don’t we make things completely easy and post them online? The Bookstore, like all on-campus businesses, is expected to be self-sustaining and must pay all its expenses. In our case, that means fixtures, shelving, payroll, utilities, shipping, upkeep, remodeling, and rent (yes, rent-—we don’t even get the space free), plus making a small profit which then goes back to the university. We can’t keep the profit, but we have to earn it. And we don’t get a dime from outside sources--not the Church, not donations, not tuition. This is not our decision. This is our mandate. We are a self-sustaining business, and as long as the university wants us to be a business, we have to make a profit. 3. When you buy from the Bookstore you are protected even when a mistake is made (inevitable with 5,000 titles) or situations change. The nature of a university is that faculty will change their minds and students will change their schedules. We give you a full refund no matter the source of the problem. But we can’t offer a refund when you buy elsewhere. One example. A student bought a required text from another source. On the first day of class, the professor said that text is optional. The student brought it to us wanting a refund because he bought it from our information in good faith, identifying it as required. We pulled the written request from the professor, showing he required it. When called, the professor said he changed his mind and forgot to notify the Bookstore. Had the student bought it here, he would have had a full refund. We know you can sometimes buy for less elsewhere. Some online sellers do not offer refunds, so if the book is the right one and you paid less, you win. If the book is the wrong edition or not needed, then you lose. If you want to be protected, we simply caution you to investigate the support you get from your seller. The BYU Bookstore has the same markup (25%) as Amazon, other university bookstores in the USA, and the publishers themselves when they sell online. In addition, we offer instant and full refunds, whatever the reason you return a book. The final comment: If you have any questions or concerns, Tom Hirtzel, Textbook Manager in the Textbook Office on the upper level of the Bookstore, would honestly be happy to visit with you. (By the way, he is a genuinely nice guy. Give him a chance.)(Posted 2/22/2009)
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