Why are textbooks so damn expensive?

[sir_captain]

Is it just because the publsihers have got their target audience over a barrel?

I'm looking at a little *paperback* case studies in anatomy book that is about 250 pages long with a glued on cheap paperback cover--$50. It hasn't been updated since 1979. What a crock.

Goddamn. I've gotten myself into the wrong racket.

[Nickster]

1. I love when you go to sell them back and they say that the book is

an old edition and can't be bought back. Then the ones they do buy back are only worth 10-20 bucks even though I just paid 100 bucks 2 months earlier.

[sir_captain]

5. I can't sell any of them back anyway

cause I'll actually need them down the road. But you're totally right.

[deadparrot]

2. half.com is a godsend for that kind of stuff.

But, yeah, I feel you. Plus, I'm a history major, so lots of my books won't be bought back. :grr:

[WindRavenX]

3. I heard it jumped exponentially because of Reagan...

...something to do with how editions and publishing, but I had a professor who said that Reagan did something to trigger it.

It's fucking unreal and it's IM-POSS-I-BLE to afford 600/semester on most financial aid.

[bicentennial_baby]

4. UMB gives us up to $750 of our aid for books

Thankfully :)

[sir_captain]

6. Wow...yet another reason that guy sucked

I can't understand how anyone could possibly like him at all. As far as I can tell, the only thing he ever had going for him was starring in a movie with a monkey. I do like monkeys.

[MarianJack]

7. Don't Forget...

...the kickbacks for the Professors and the colleges!

[sir_captain]

8. As the child of two college professors

I only wish that were true...it's not.

[MarianJack]

9. I'll Take Your Word For it about the Profs,...

...because I want to out of respect for your parents and for many great ones that I had.

But the schools have to make one hell of a profit!

[radwriter0555]

10. Amazon.com is your friend for used text books. It's the best way

to buy and to re-sell yours as well.