I think web 2.0 and CH are the missing link for ordinary people to contribute meaningfully in the new ways of creating wealth in this so called new economy.Cycko, Feb 2007
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Online College Text Book Swap
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The Idea
College students are constantly being ripped off when it comes to text books. Not only do you have to pay hundreds of dollars on books per semester, when you go to sell them back, the stores give you but a fraction of what you payed for them. To add insult injury, when the stores sell used books back, they hike the prices up tremendously. College is already expensive as it is, and many students have a hard time paying for college already. I propose putting some power into the hands of the consumer (college students, in this case). Create a well organized website where students can trade text books with each other for cash or for other books. Money could be made by charging each student $1 for the transaction or something to that effect. Make sure the site has a catchy title like like www.sufferingstudent.com instead of www.textbookswap.com. Logistics wouldn't be a problem since you wouldn't physically have to store the books. Execution would be a cinch as would ads.
I thought of this idea when I was...
Paying $535 for USED books at the bookstore for this upcoming semester. I'm aware that something like this can be done on eBay or on Amazon.com, but this would be a specialty website for a very important demographic (It's like buying buying car parts at Autozone vs. Wal-Mart). It's to the straight, simple, and to the point. Perhaps you could add a funtion in there that if the text book that you're looking for is not for sale, you receive an e-mail when it becomes available. Many friends of mine buy books off of Amazon.com for college, but often times the book is incorrect, wrong edition, takes forever to get to the students. Perhaps we can add a system of accountability to ensure rapid transactions. College text book prices are only going to increase - this would be a great way to ease the burden on students. In college bookstores, book prices are dictated by supply and demand for the local area. This website would expand the market for your book to across America.
Comments Posted
http://www.cambrianh...er/ideas-id/f39h2vD/
Could have a sub-section devoted to students. Or else re-use the engine to provide separately branded sites.
I was thinking of something less like a message board and more organized. Oh well, another idea that's been done. Thanks for the comments!
great! nice idea. :)
i need some books.
however, I fear this would be US-Centric again. It'd be nice if it will be affordable for those living in countries like mine.. and of course, easy shipping. (I think i didn't make sense?)
What I had in mind was less like a classifieds page and more like an very organized database.
What I had in mind was less like a classifieds page and more like an very organized database.
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