Can you really beat the bookstore?

With the economy in the dumps and money tight, students are hit with the hardest cost on books and supplies while attending school. The average student spends between $60 and $750 for a semester's-worth of textbooks, depending on where they shop. A major decision for most students isn't what classes to register for, but where to buy textbooks to keep the cost of school down. Most students have a favorite method and place where they like to purchase textbooks; some shop online, some like to go to off-campus sites that sell new and used textbooks like Beat the Bookstore, and others simply shop at the WSU Bookstore. Each store has its perks as well as its problems. "The high prices of books get me," said Craig Lindgren, WSU senior marketing major. "That's why I shop at ichapters.com." Ichapters.com is a Web site that sells print textbooks for discounts of up to 15 percent. There, e-books are always 50-percent off, but they also sell individual chapters from textbooks for as low as $1.99 per chapter. "I haven't bought textbooks off of the site," Lindergren said, "but the ichapters are killer - I only pay for those chapters I really need for class. It helps cut some costs of school." Daphne Draayer, WSU senior mechanical engineer, said she shops at Beat the Bookstore and Half.com. "They're a little bit cheaper, not so crowded, and the people are more helpful," Draayer said of Beat the Bookstore. Dave Winward, owner of Beat the Bookstore, said they try to set their prices cheaper than the WSU Bookstore. "We also price match the WSU Bookstore," Winward said. "We just try to make it as easy as we can for customers." Their computer system keeps track of all customer info, so there is no need for paper receipts. The textbook and a valid ID are the only things needed to return a book to Beat the Bookstore. Winward said they also offer special promotions for their patrons. "Last week we gave away 100 pairs of Skullcandy headphones, and this week we are giving away Power Bar snacks," Winward said. "We always have something to give away." The store is located in the Smith's shopping center on Harrison blvd., southwest from the WSU campus. There is an alternative to expensive textbooks at WSU. Some teachers provide packets for students enrolled in their classes. These packets have all the necessary information for the class provided by the teacher. "It's cool that teachers make WSU prints for students," said Palmer Heiner, a WSU junior sales major. "It helps cut book costs." Heiner is a big supporter of the WSU bookstore. "I think the bookstore gets a bad rap from people," Heiner said. "I think the publishers make out more on the book pricing than the bookstore does. The WSU Bookstore also offers tax-free purchases on textbooks and related course material approved by WSU instructors to help lower the cost to students on their textbooks.