University of Windsor bookstore to price match online vendors
The University of Windsor Campus Bookstore is expanding its price-matching policy in a bid to regain business from online retailers.
The store will now match prices at Amazon.ca and ChaptersIndigo.ca on general reading books and course materials. The offer only applies to items that are new, in stock, and sold directly by the online vendor.
“We got sick of complaining about Amazon and decided to take the battle to them,” said Martin Deck, the store’s sales and marketing coordinator.
“We have the books, they’re on the shelf. Instead of ordering online and waiting a few days, or up to a few months, you can come in and buy them from us,” Deck added.
The Campus Bookstore has been offering price-matching on textbooks for the past two years. Deck said the store has processed around 250 price matches this term — the most ever.
“It’s starting to take off,” he said.
Students saving money through online retailers
University of Windsor students say bookstore prices are consistently more expensive than what can be found elsewhere. That’s pushed many of them to online retailers, rental services and book exchange programs.
Engineering graduate student Olu Waseun said he once saved more than $100 on a single purchase.
“The price at the bookstore was about $180, and the one I bought was $50, so that’s a lot,” Waseun said.
And even when prices are comparable, large purchases quickly add up.
“The prices are somewhat close,” said student Kris Owen. “But when you’re buying all your books together, it can be a big difference.”
“You don’t have much of a choice if it’s a new edition,” said Candice Seagull, who generally favours exchange and rental services.
“I don’t understand why it’s necessary to do that to students, we’re on a budget as is,” she added
Publishers set bookstore prices
According to Deck, prices at the Campus Bookstore are set by publishers, a process that does not apply to online vendors.
“It is difficult for us to beat those prices, and it’s difficult for us to match those prices, to be honest with you,” he said.
Deck could not confirm whether the bookstore will continue offering price matches if more students start cashing in on the offer.
“So far we’ve made it and we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to continue,” he said.
