Bookstore Sounding Board
I've read a comment or two about ISBN numbers not being listed in the booklocker portion of the site. I appreciate having the book locker, first of all, so thank you. However, it would be excellent if the ISBN number were listed there. It's the best way to guarantee that books from a source other than the bookstore are the exact book our professor has requested, not another edition or custom printing.
Having the ISBN does not always guarantee getting the same book when you order a foreign edition, but it's dependable when ordering in the States. Here is a statement which covers our position on textbooks and ISBNs. Textbooks, ISBNs, and the BYU Bookstore Students can find ISBNs six weeks before classes begin by looking on the shelf tags 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 1/18/2008)
How hard would it be to get the ISBN numbers on My Book List section of Route Y? How hard would it be to have an email sent out to the students saying that decision for which books are being used the next semester has made? How hard would it be to have an email sent out as soon as you register for a class that says which book(s) you will need, its used/new price, title, isbn, author etc? I see the BYU Bookstore serving two roles, one is that of a bookseller, the other as an entity that knows which books we need for our classes. Lets hope those two separate roles don't suffer from a conflict of interest.
Dear Anonymous, We don’t want a conflict of interest, either. To help us, and you, see that one doesn’t happen, we have formulated a statement about textbooks and ISBNs which we attach to this note. If you have further questions, please write again. Textbooks, ISBNs, and the BYU Bookstore Students can find ISBNs six weeks before classes begin by looking on the shelf tags 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 1/18/2008)
Is there any way to notify students what textbooks are not being bought back? I've seen one "wanted" poster, but and "unwanted" poster would be just as useful. It would extra useful if this information were easily accessible online. the notification of when sell back was occurring was great this semester. It would be extra helpful to know what to bring and what to recycle.
Dear Anonymous, We don’t want a conflict of interest, either. To help us, and you, see that one doesn’t happen, we have formulated a statement about textbooks and ISBNs which we attach to this note. If you have further questions, please write again. Textbooks, ISBNs, and the BYU Bookstore Students can find ISBNs six weeks before classes begin by looking on the shelf tags 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 1/18/2008)
Why, if the lists are available to consult in the book store for next semesters books, can they not be viewed online? Are you afraid people will get their books from other sources like online? Just curious. Thank you, -Steve
Steve, we’re not afraid students will get their textbooks from other sources online. What we’re afraid of is that students will get the short end of the straw and then want us to fix the situation. For this reason we have formulated a statement about the situation. Here it is. Textbooks, ISBNs, and The BYU Bookstore Students can find ISBNs six weeks before classes begin by looking on the shelf tags 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 1/18/2008)
Hello, Quite a number of students, myself included, feel that if tuition is demanded so soon (long before the semester even starts - it is already posted now, 12/10/07, for winter 08) that it is only fair that BYU post what our textbooks will be for the upcoming semester. If they want our money now, then we want to know what our books are, now. Aside from that issue - how can we properly set our personal budget if we cannot see ahead what books are going to cost. It is quite impossible to budget when the numbers are hidden; especially with Christmas upon us. Thanks, Bryan Fisk - Student
Bryan, we apologize for keeping you on hold for such a long time. We have been taking another look at our position and formulating a response that is representative and, we hope, clear. You are the first to get it, but it will be sent to others who wonder about our not posting ISBNs online well before the beginning of the semester. So here it is. Textbooks, ISBNs, and The BYU Bookstore Students can find ISBNs six weeks before classes begin by looking on the shelf tags 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 1/18/2008)
(Page 12 of 21)
Jump to page: Previous Next 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Last modified: July 15, 2006. Maintained by BYU Bookstore Support.
Copyright © 1994-2006. Brigham Young University. All Rights Reserved. XHTML CSS 508