My late father was a University chemistry professor. He told me that before the new school year started. Many Book reps would show up and try to get the professors to choose their books for the coming year. Dad would try to get the cheapest book that would cover the course. But a few times the book that he saw, (which were softback text books), turned into a heavy-hardback tome that would cost the student a hundred dollars or more, (and this was back in the 60s and 70s when the dollar was worth a lot more).
So do the math. A freshman chemistry class can have over a thousand students at a State University. The collage text book business is a racket.
Books were expensive when I was in college 45 years ago, so I bought used books which were in good condition. I shudder to think of what they cost now.
Had one professor who insisted we have a copy of her textbook for the class. She was one of the authors.
I didn’t receive a full scholarship for college. What I did receive was a scholarship that covered the cost of my textbooks. I learned to appreciate the scholarship a lot more when I saw those textbook prices.
dadthedawg Premium Member 4 months ago
They will now be known as ‘bookies’…..
rcham2k 4 months ago
that or extended warranties
ekke 4 months ago
If you really want lucrative, get into patented pharmaceuticals. Or law, where you don’t even have to have a product.
Zykoic 4 months ago
Text book racketeers. Sell at $175, buy back at $5.
sugordon 4 months ago
Our English Department doesn’t use textbooks any more. I get almost all my teaching materials off the Internet through public domain.
Jayalexander 4 months ago
Or how about doing the old fashioned way running for office to sell your vote.
Nuke Road Warrior 4 months ago
Take the cannoli leave the Physics text.
littlejohn Premium Member 4 months ago
My late father was a University chemistry professor. He told me that before the new school year started. Many Book reps would show up and try to get the professors to choose their books for the coming year. Dad would try to get the cheapest book that would cover the course. But a few times the book that he saw, (which were softback text books), turned into a heavy-hardback tome that would cost the student a hundred dollars or more, (and this was back in the 60s and 70s when the dollar was worth a lot more).
So do the math. A freshman chemistry class can have over a thousand students at a State University. The collage text book business is a racket.
Slowly, he turned... 4 months ago
textbooks are an offer your can’t refuse
rickmac1937 Premium Member 4 months ago
Ain’t that the truth
chris_o42 4 months ago
Or printer ink.
Just-me 4 months ago
Books were expensive when I was in college 45 years ago, so I bought used books which were in good condition. I shudder to think of what they cost now.
Had one professor who insisted we have a copy of her textbook for the class. She was one of the authors.
Ulrig 4 months ago
The best extended warranty I’ve found, lasts forever, and is free for just believing in it.
'IndyMan' 4 months ago
Yeah, just think ‘for $150.00 a month we’ll protect your car until you miss a payment then no protection at all for your car OR you ! ! ! !
mfrasca 4 months ago
Elsevier is evil.
Godfreydaniel 4 months ago
Plenty of money in high school textbooks, too.
LONNYMARQUEZ 4 months ago
or home warranties, pretty sure that’s a shot at our president
dwagner200 4 months ago
Why? College kids can’t read.
Ed The Red Premium Member 4 months ago
This is mostly out of date. The college textbook printers got too greedy and now most textbooks are digital and free to use.
Fuzzy Kombu 4 months ago
They’ll be putting up a candidate for the presidency. Why not?
Aladar30 Premium Member 4 months ago
This could be true.
Strawberry King 4 months ago
Either way, someone ends up dead.
pheets 4 months ago
Health insurance… no, wait……
jvscanlan Premium Member 4 months ago
Just like Republicans . . .
eddi-TBH 4 months ago
They would muscle into medical insurance but even the Mafia has standards.
be ware of eve hill 4 months ago
I didn’t receive a full scholarship for college. What I did receive was a scholarship that covered the cost of my textbooks. I learned to appreciate the scholarship a lot more when I saw those textbook prices.