Independent bookstore touts lower prices
Facing the ominous jungle of textbook shelves and prices can be an overwhelming task at times, but options exist in the vast world of bookstores.
One such option is University Book and Gift. The store, located at 135 N. Main St., is an independently owned and operated college bookstore. The shelves of the small store are lined with popular, or commonly used, textbooks.
Owner Richard Steele opened the store three years ago. He said most of his prices tend to be 10 to 20 percent lower than the USU Bookstore.
“My main objective was to help students out,” Steele said.
A graduate of Utah State University, Steele sold supplies to students in the landscape architecture courses. He soon branched out to interior design. As time moved on, other students asked for books too, he said.
Steele said, friends and roommates of these students started calling, looking for books for their classes.
Steele’s children entered the university and he wanted a way to help them as well as other students with the cost of their education.
“It seemed it was the only place to help,” Steele said. “I couldn’t help with parking or fees – books were the only way.”
Like most bookstores, if a book is not in stock, Steele can find it and have it special ordered.
He buys from other independent bookstores around the nation. When a book is needed, he checks with the other stores until he can find the requested title. It normally takes two days once the book is found to have it in Logan for the student, he said.
Pricing on books can vary due to many factors. Steele said prices are set, based on the demand for the book. This demand is determined by the number of students registered in a class and the number of books that are readily available.
Steele offers to buy textbooks back after the semester. “We are normally neck and neck with the university,” he said.
According to Steele, the university buys books back at a set price until they reach the class cap for the next semester. After that, the price drops and the books are sold to a wholesaler. Steele said his buy-back price does not change, and can be higher than the university once their cap is met.
Even though his business is growing, Steele said there is more growth to be made.
“I still find there is a general lack of realization on the students’ part that there is an alternative bookstore.”