In just a few days, many of us will visit the bookstore to resell our textbooks. Most of us will leave the bookstore feeling “gypped” on the amount of money that we receive for reselling expensive textbooks.

And, before we know it, we will be back at the bookstore in a few months to hand over a big chunk of change for more textbooks. It feels like the textbook system is a game.

Students just cannot win with these high prices. A study by the New York Times found that one in five students does not buy all the required texts because of the high costs of textbooks. What can we do about it?

While it may seem otherwise, students are not the only ones concerned over the textbook system. Professors, the government, school bookstores, and foreign countries have all showed interest in the price of textbooks.

While students contend with the rising cost of college, textbook publishers are increasing textbook prices. Tristy Rudebusch, director of the DU Bookstore, notes that the price increases from publishers have interestingly correlated with the rise in tuition at DU. However, the publishers not the DU or its bookstore are the ones receiving more money,

Used books have been the traditional way for students to save money on textbooks. The bookstore continues to experience an increasing demand for used books. However, many of us still experience problems getting used books. Rudebusch explained that the bookstore cannot buy back books to sell used unless professors submit their book orders before buyback. Publishers release new editions of textbooks frequently, and this complicates matters.

New ways for buying and textbooks have emerged. Thanks to the Internet, students can save a ton of money and even make some cash.

Like prescription drugs, textbooks cost far less overseas than they do in the United States. People in Eastern Europe and other developed countries have refused to pay the outrageous textbook prices, so the publishing companies lowered their prices automatically.

Overseas companies operate online stores to ship American students the books they need. Even with the international shipping costs, the savings is still substantial. This past quarter, I bought a $100 management textbook for $25 from an international seller over the Internet.

The book was identical to the version in the DU Bookstore, and that price was for a new book. Not all books are identical to the U.S. editions, though. Some books sold by international sellers are produced in paperback on lower quality paper and might even adorn a “Not for sale in the United States” sticker. Yet, international textbook sales continues to boom.

Textbooks have become a popular item on eBay, and great prices on books can be found on the eBay affiliate Half.com. Amazon.com also offers a marketplace for used books.

Students can buy their books wherever they want, but Rudebusch urges students to be cautious. Before ordering online, confirm the ISBN number of the textbook and the edition.

If making a purchase from an international seller, verify the content because publishers often claim that the international versions differ. Remember when ordering to keep shipment time in mind especially when purchasing from foreign sellers.

You can sell textbooks on the Internet, too. Sites such as eBay, Half.com, and Amazon.com are great sites to sell your books, and you choose the selling prices. One quarter, I actually made a 20% profit selling my books online.

However, you will only get paid when someone buys your book, so if quick cash is important, think hard about selling through these sites. Some sites, like eCampus.com and TextbookBuyer.com, offer online buyback. You ship them your textbooks (they offer free postage-paid labels), and then they send you money.

The government has taken an active interest in the textbook system.

In 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court found it legal to buy from foreign sellers. Before that, Americans could not take advantage of the international discounts without violating copyright law.

The Government Accountability Office is currently investigating textbook pricing, and the results will be released this summer. The U.S. House Education and Workforce Commission held hearings to examine the costs of higher education and textbook pricing. Some state senators have put forth proposals for tax deductions and no sales tax on textbooks to help alleviate the increasing costs.

The DU Bookstore is also actively exploring new paths to help students. Electronic books (e-books) and e-learning materials have become new alternatives to buying textbooks.

Rudebusch said that the bookstore is still looking into the details, benefits, and disadvantages of e-books. She also stressed that the bookstore does its best to obtain more used books. Additionally, the bookstore does try to negotiate with the “all-mighty” publishing companies.

They did consider purchasing textbooks from overseas, but chose not to take this path because of the difficulties of working with customs companies and hidden expenses.B Rudebusch believes that this is a “tricky industry,” and she and the bookstore staff are working harder than many of us know.

For now, here is the bottom line: if you care about keeping your money on campus for DU funds, buy books from the DU Bookstore. If you want to save money, consider buying online but caveat emptor.