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 order textbooks for ________ Bookstore and need to clarify something regarding your required textbook for this coming fall semester. The information we received from the ________ Bookstore is "Wardlaw: s/wrp Contemporary Nutrition, 5th w/cd & Passcode." This could mean that items the publisher shrink wraps with new versions of the book will be required. In this case, we are concerned with the "PASSCODE." This is probably a piece of paper with web access numbers on it which will only be available with new books. In the past we have always bought these books back from students, then sold used copies (with the CDs). My question is this: do you require the PASSCODE part or can we sell used versions to the students which will not have the access code attached.

Not trying to influence your decision, just need clarification. If memory serves correctly, some students this Spring term were asking for new books with the access code, so I am concerned that we offer the correct combination.

Thanks for your time.
________
General Manager,
________ Bookstore

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

No, I do not require the PASSCODE - thank you for asking.

___________, PhD, RD