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)

Hello ______, my name is ______ and I am the manager of ______ Bookstore. I noticed in your spring textbook order that you have ordered a package containing a "Video Workshop" in addition to the book you are currently using for the Fall term. Will the "Video Workshop" be required for students to purchase and use? Publishers are doing so much packaging these days to sell new textbooks that often students are being forced to buy new textbooks with non-required items included. These bundles don't allow students to purchase cheaper used textbooks, or sell back to the bookstores the book they already have. I am not trying to influence textbook decisions, and will gladly order this package for your students if it is really required. If it is required, is the Video Workshop available as a separate unit for those students that may wish to purchase a used textbook from the bookstore or from a friend? We are just trying to make a student's education a little cheaper.

Thanks much for your time.

______
Bookstore

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

Dear ______,

Thank you very much for your e-mail. You are exactly right.... I will call the publisher and have these separated.

Should I just let you know the ISBNs?

Thank again,
______