Bladdaow!

Textbooks were expensive even when I was in college. But, now textbooks are beyond expensive as prices have continued to climb over the years. Students in college are on a tight budget so saving on textbooks can be very helpful. I’ve even heard of students saving money by not purchasing the text, this approach is probably not recommended it good grades are important.

Even the schools and the textbook vendors realize that the prices for textbooks have gotten out of hand. Maker’s of the Kindle and Sony ereader hope to help solve the dilemma of expensive textbook prices by offering lower costs digital versions that can be read on their ereaders.

Online stores that sell etextbooks have been springing up all over the place; even traditional textbook vendors are introducing online stores that sell digital versions. Money can be saved with digital textbooks plus they use less paper and have a green footprint. Digital textbooks are also easier on the back, although they are harder on the eyes, even with the advent of paper like e-ink.

The other issue that has come up with etextbooks is the lack of a standard format, with so many different platforms vying for the etext market there are many different formats instead of one standard that can be read by all devices. As these digital texts become more popular these early adopter issues should get all sorted out.

Another cost saving program that has recently been introduced is the rental of textbooks. Instead of buying a used book and then selling it back at the end of the semester, students can rent their textbooks and then return them at the end of the semester. This system actually saves significant money and resources and the student gets an easy to read and thumb though hard copy of their text.

As more people try to find ways to save money business try to find a way to capture your business, the textbook war has only begun. I predict more innovation in the future.