The Carleton bookstore announced it is now price-matching other retailers to guarantee the lowest possible price on textbooks.
The campus bookstore is managed by Follett Higher Education Group, which also manages 1,200 college and university stores across the United States and Canada. The price match initiative at Carleton is part of a sub-set trial program to see how customers respond.
“We believe we’re doing our best to put forward the lowest possible price. When that doesn’t happen, we want to make sure we’re committed to the students and that they don’t need to go to more than one place,” said Elio DiStaola, the director of public and campus relations at Follett Higher Education Group.
“It’s about confidence in the campus bookstore. We really want students to know we have the right material at the right time, and now, more than ever, at the best price possible,” DiStaola said.
To receive a one-time price adjustment, students can bring their receipt and a copy of the lower price advertisement to the bookstore within seven days of their purchase. The difference will be placed on a gift card, according to a poster in the bookstore.
Haven Books, located near Carleton off Sunnyside Ave., is another popular location for students looking for purchase new or used textbooks. Haven Books is operated by the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) and is CUSA’s most profitable business.
CUSA president Fahd Alhattab said Haven Books is recognized for selling textbooks for seven per cent less than the retail price.
“I’ll go to Haven if they have it—otherwise I’ll go to the bookstore. It’s cheaper,” said Kayla Pedret, a second-year cognitive science student. “Haven’s seems to have lower prices no matter what the textbook is, even if it’s new.”
Alhattab said he is not concerned for Haven’s business.
“We’re very well aware of [the price matching]. We’ll see if they’re actually able to price match. It is their new tactic of trying to keep business,” Alhattab said. “I think our winning edge at the end of the day is when you sell your books back to us, it’s consignment—you get 80 per cent to yourself, and we only keep 20 per cent. When you sell your book back to the bookstore, it’s much lower.”
Alhattab added that Haven is student-run, which appeals to students because the money ultimately goes back to programming.
“We still own the market and have the market niche, and because our prices are already low, we don’t need to promise to match the lowest price because we have the lowest price. We’re very comfortable. We’ve done a lot of marketing this year around that,” Alhattab said.
DiStaola said he welcomes the price comparison.
“Competition isn’t really new to us. It’s healthy for the consumer and for the students,” he said. “With a price match program, you’re able to give the customer a peace of mind.”
