Textbook Bundling & Customization: Is There Value?

Testimonials

The following are excerpts from actual correspondence between university professors and bookstore managers.

From (bookstore manager)
To: (professor)

Professor ________

Hi, I am ________, Manager of the _______ Bookstore. I would like to clarify something regarding the textbooks for ______ 101 and 201 for the coming fall semester. The information I have received from the ______ Bookstore for the above two courses reads as follows:

SPIELVOGEL : S/WRP WESTERN CIV 5TH (SINCE 1300) W/INFOTRK and BRINKLEY: S/WRP AMERICAN HISTORY 11TH V1 W/OLC.

My question is about the "s/wrp" which stands for "shrink-wrapped" and "W/INFOTRK" AND "W/OLC." As you know, publishers "bundle" things with the main textbook that are sometimes required by the instructor and sometimes not. Very often instructors are informed that the items "bundled" with the textbook cost nothing. However, if you REQUIRE that these books be bought "with Infotrk" and "with OLC," then we cannot sell used books to the students since used books will not have the bundle add-ons.

This also means we may not buy them back from students who have them from this Spring term. On the other hand, if the "infotrk" and "olc" add-ons are not required, we will try to find some used copies for your students and buy as many back as possible.

I am not trying to influence your textbook decisions and if the bundled items are indeed required, I will gladly order the package for your students. I just want to bring this to your attention and make sure all the other "stuff" is necessary.

Thank you
________

From: (professor)
To: (bookstore manager)
In response to above:

Hello,

By all means take the route that allows students to purchase used textbooks. Thanks for the heads up.

Dr. ________