Why are college text books so expensive?

I got a paperback text book for one class and it was 60 dollars! Most paper books you can buy at boarders are 1/4 that cost? Why are school books more expensive? Do text book companies rais their prices on purpose?Why are college text books so expensive?
Simply put, it's a racket. They sell high, buy low and then sell high again. They have high prices because they know you have to buy it. If it were public service it would be called graft.



There is always the excuse that because of low circulation and specialization the books cost more, but that's nonsense.



Check with your university library to see if the book is already on the shelf. Checking out books rather than buying them saved me hundreds of dollars during my many years in college.



You can also use older editions, even if the syllabus says to buy the latest. Rarely are the changes that important.



Also, rather than buying a book before class begins, wait for a while. Sometimes the book is on the list even if you don't read from it. Sometimes it's just a "for further reading" type of text.
I've bought books that are well over 80-100 dollars before for college. A lot of them are really useful tho, so if you miss a class or two, learning material won't be impossible with a little bit of effort... at my school, you can get up to 50% selling it back if you don't need it anymore at the end of the semester.Why are college text books so expensive?
That's part of your education . . . that you are played like a fiddle by those in power. The books are expensive because the school, and more importantly, the teachers have the ability to rob you blind with those outrageous book prices. There is no need whatsoever to pay such prices. If students got wind of where that money goes, there would be a revolt.
Yes they know no one else will buy these books so they make it really expensive for the small group that does use the books (college students) I hate buying books and they usually screw everyone over when it is book buy back week by giving you 1/8th of what you paid for the book that the professor never even used. Try buying and selling online it takes a little longer but you will save a little money.Why are college text books so expensive?
The stores will charge the price that they believe will maximize their profits. Because you need the book, you value it, and, thus, you are willing to pay more money. The companies know this and charge accordingly.
It's called charging what the market will bear. You need the book and the publisher/book store know it. They also know you'll blindly pay whatever it costs. Ka-ching!
One word "Greed" its called money.

It might also have to do with supply%26amp;demand.
try half.com