Students often try to save money by purchasing used books. However, some students end up losing money instead.
Used textbooks save students and faculty money. Unfortunately, some used textbook buyers are discovering that some of the used books are missing something.
Homework exercise pages, especially those found at the end of a chapter, are missing from some used books purchased on campus.
The first day of classes, Dr. Carolyn Worms of the Family and Consumer Science department went over the class syllabus. As with all other instructors here at The University of Memphis, one of her course requirements is for students to purchase certain books for her class. Before sending students on their way to the bookstore, Worms imparted some advice that she learned the hard way.
"I tell my students to look carefully at the book that they are buying. They should make certain that all of the pages are there," she said.
These words of wisdom stem from previous students coming to class and complaining that pages were missing from their paperbound workbooks.
"I've watched students have this problem over the years. It can happen to hardbound book as well," Worms said referring to pages being cut out of non-perforated textbooks.
Not all students have experienced missing textbook pages.
"One of my books had some stained pages, but other than that I've not had any problems," said Clarence Harris, a freshman music industry student.
Students who have discovered missing textbook pages can take the following course of action: They can take the book back to where they purchased it.
"In the case that the book was purchased at The University Bookstore, it's the bookstore's policy to exchange the book for a better copy, if a better used copy is available. If not, students can exchange the book for a new copy, but they would have to pay the price difference," said Dominic Raby, textbook manager at The University Bookstore.
When asked why students had to pay the price difference, Raby said it was due to the original book being purchased used.
"When we buy back used workbooks, we look at the condition of them," said Beth Cain, manager of The University Bookstore.
"If the workbook looks like it's in pristine condition we will buy it back," she said.
While the same exchange policy is in effect at the Tiger Bookstore, textbook manager Marvell Bond goes the extra mile. He instructs buyers to stay away from used workbooks or textbooks with perforated pages."We try not to buy them back at all, but sometimes they slip through," he said.
Dr. Worms is all in favor of Tiger Bookstore's policy and would like to see it implemented at the University Bookstore.
"I have recommended to the bookstore to not buy back disposable workbooks," she said.
