USUSA introduces new online textbook exchange

In an effort to make college more affordable, USUSA President Douglas Fiefia and his cabinet introduced texts.com last semester, a platform for the online exchange of textbooks.

“The new online textbook exchange will save students at USU hundreds of dollars during their college career,” Fiefia said. “It allows students to buy, sell and trade books at a fair and reasonable price in which they set.”

Texts.com has an exclusive network for Utah State University students to sell their used textbooks to fellow students or compare prices with online websites. It allows users to list their books for the price they want and contact each other through Aggiemail to exchange. Chegg, Amazon and other online stores can also purchase them from students for credit to that site.

“I love texts.com because it’s so convenient, and whether you’re selling or buying books, you end up with more money in your wallet,” said Fane Heitonga, a director of the president’s cabinet and head of the campaign.

All that is required to have an account is a registered Aggiemail account for security purposes. The website then allows the user to list a book to sell or buy. Books are searchable by ISBN, title or author. Most books when listed include a picture of the book and can even say what class the book can be used for so students know that they are getting the right one.

Trent Judd, a member of president’s cabinet, plans to use Texts.com to buy his books this semester.

“It is local so it (is) super easy to get your books,” he said. “Not only is it cheaper than the (campus) bookstore, but you get your books from kids on campus.”

The website has more than 1,900 registered students and 1,500 listings for books, making USU the biggest university to use Texts.com.

— rachaelfresh@gmail.com