UAS Bookstore Survey

1. Please indicate how you principally interact with the UAS Bookstore:

   Valid Missing Mean 81 0 NA As a local student : 40 As a distance (eLearning) student : 18 As an instructor : 11 University employee : 10 Member of the public : 2

 

2. Please indicate where you live:

   Valid Missing Mean 81 0 NA UAS Housing : 9 Juneau community : 61 Outside of Juneau : 11

 

3. The UAS bookstore website provides online ordering of textbooks and merchandise, general information on the bookstore and faculty book adoption information.

   How helpful is the bookstore web site to you?

   Valid Missing Mean 81 0 NA Very helpful : 0 Somewhat helpful : 81 No opinion : 0 Somewhat unhelpful : 0 Very unhelpful : 0 I have never used the web site : 0

 

4. How do you usually buy your text books?

   Valid Missing Mean 74 7 NA Juneau campus bookstore : 17 Juneau online bookstore (MBS Direct) : 9 Other local bookstore : 0 Other online bookstore : 15 Whoever has the best price : 33

   Comments:

   Selected: Whoever has the best price I've only found that UAS has the best price for the Accounting Text/WileyPlus package.

   Selected: Whoever has the best price Amazon has the best prices for textbooks, and offers the option to rent your textbooks.

   Selected: Other online bookstore Typically amazon.com

   Selected: Juneau online bookstore (MBS Direct) Students in my classes order online and rent them electronically

   Selected: Whoever has the best price My students prefer online

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore But that's because I always buy my textbooks a bit late for online stores to ship it to me on time.

   Selected: Whoever has the best price MBS is a complete ripoff and charges ridiculous amounts for shipping. The local bookstore is a ripoff as well. Other than last minute book purchases for late registration I have no idea why anyone would buy their books there, especially used books.

   Selected: Other online bookstore I buy it from the cheapest website. I even started renting them online.

   Selected: Other online bookstore The bookstore rips me off and charges a ridiculous amount of money. I will never buy my books there if I can help it.

   Selected: Whoever has the best price I usually buy from Amazon.com.

   Selected: Whoever has the best price I never do buyback either. I always get a better price if I sell them myself.

   Selected: Whoever has the best price Competitive prices are sincerely important when considering where to purchase--but this includes shipping and time! If the books aren't here on time, you end up paying the higher price for convenience. Being able to sell back books, is also a key feature for where I decide to purchase them.

   Selected: Other online bookstore UAS bookstore is a joke

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore Only because I use financial aid, otherwise I would rather buy online or rent online for cheaper.

   Selected: Whoever has the best price The bookstore's prices are usually much higher than everywhere else. The only time I buy books from the bookstore is if someone gave me a gift certificate or I need the book immediately and can't wait for it to ship.

   I'm a teacher.

   Selected: Whoever has the best price I usually rent my textbooks online.

   Selected: Whoever has the best price The bookstore is a ripoff. They overcharge everything and then give you $12 for a book you paid $200 for a little over 3 months earlier. BULLSHIT!

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore There should be a more relaxed policy on book returns at the semesters beginning.  They are really expensive. There should be a student discount for books and items in store.  Especially the art materials.  I really like the selection of art materials as well...bravo!

   Selected: Other online bookstore Unfortunately, UAS bookstore doesn't even come close to providing competitive pricing for textbooks or for buyback prices.

   Selected: Whoever has the best price rent from amazon

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore I only do this because of the buy back...though I have been increasingly disappointed with the buy back rates of books. This semester, I bought books that I knew I would want to keep on a different site.

   The times I've used the site, they didn't have what I needed.

   Selected: Juneau online bookstore (MBS Direct) I purchase about 1/2 my books at MBS Direct and about 1/2 at other sources such as Amazon or other online text book vendors.  I want both hardcover and e-text version choices for my purchases of all textbooks.

   Selected: Other online bookstore I find the bookstore prices to be very expensive. If I can't find a better price online, I buy from the bookstore.

 

5. I use the campus bookstore to purchase:

   Valid Missing Mean 81 0 NA Textbooks : 40 School supplies/backpacks : 22 Art supplies : 9 Clothing : 26 General books : 11 Gifts : 36 I do not shop at the campus bookstore : 19 Other : 5

   Comments:

   Selected: Though I don't frequently shop at the campus bookstore

   Selected: I do not shop at the campus bookstore The bookstore is outrageously expensive. They also do not take the books back about 80% of the time. When they do, the price they offer you is always under 25% the original price.

   Selected: The bookstore is inconveniently located.  It has a nice selection of things but it seems like the type of store that would do better downtown, also the selection is higher priced and better suited to working people than students.

   Selected: Locally published flights not always widely available

   Selected: Other Sometimes textbooks, sometimes school supplies I am missing, and occasionally art supplies.

   Selected: Mugs.

   Selected: I do not shop at the campus bookstore Again, beat up, marked in used books are marked up way more than what they're worth and can be purchased online (half.ebay.com) for a fraction of the price.

   Selected: Textbooks There's some cool stuff in there but it's too expensive for me.

   Selected: Every once in a while, we purchase UAS items from the bookstore to use

   Selected: I do not shop at the campus bookstore See above comment

   Selected: I do not shop at the campus bookstore The people working in the bookstore, not the student employees, but the faculty are extremely RUDE and have absolutely no customer service skills. They don't support student efforts on campus so in return I do not shop at the UAS bookstore.

   Selected: I do not shop there much.  Maybe once a year.

   Selected: I really like the UAS stuff like mugs, sweaters, etc.  I also really enjoy the artsy gifts you can buy there.  However, the prices can be pretty outrageous.

   Selected: I do not shop at the campus bookstore TOO EXPENSIVE

   Selected: Other I live outside of Juneau but I love shopping at the colleges/universities bookstores. They are fun!

   Selected: Textbooks I've never seen anything else for sale other than textbooks on MBS Direct.

   Selected: I was there for a summer class and I thought it was a very nice store.

 

6. Do you use the bookstore to purchase books using financial aid or agency funding prior to disbursement?

   Valid Missing Mean 80 1 NA Yes : 15 No : 65

 

7. Looking ahead, what are the best things about the current UAS Bookstore that UAS should strive to preserve?

   Valid Missing Mean 52 29 NA

   Comments:

   The has bookstore website is helpful in that local and distance textbooks are easy to search for.

   The giftshop- textbooks are to unreasonably priced at the bookstore.  I quit buying books there after my freshmen year- the prices always astound me.

   The ability to use financial aid to purchase things

   School supplies and clothing with UAS logo

   Having taught at multiple institutions I don't think this bookstore is sustainable.  I don't support continuing the bookstore.  In general, it is difficult to sustain u bookstores.

   Great selection of UAS gear, great art and gifts, good local and UAS authors. Artwalk venue

   It may become the primary bookstore in Juneau with Hearthside book stores closing. It is currently a nice store with nice gifts and class supplies.

   Varity of gifts and UAS Logo items.

   The unique items.

   The variety. I think it is really cool there are all the artsy stuff in there for sale.

   It always has a good collection of items including textbooks, clothing and art supplies. Their gifts are a great addition to the store. I hope UAS continues with keeping a large selection of items available for students and the community to buy especially UAS attire. I also like the idea of students being able to purchase books using financial aid or agency funding. This is sometimes the only way students can receive their book prior to their classes starting.

   The layout and service is great.

   ...

   I think that the prompt and helpful customer service is the UAS Bookstore's best feature. A person is so much easier to deal with then any website or machine.

   Best way to get University gear.

   the employees

   convenience

   The merchandise! There's just something about the apparel every semester that makes me buy them.

   Currently the UAS Bookstore is the only shop in town that sells high quality acrylic paint...

   Quaint, cozy colorful atmosphere

   at least HAVE one

   Everything.

   UAS logo apparel and other items.

   I love the atmosphere there and all of the awesome gifts they sell!

   I like the hats and gift ideas that the bookstore has. It's great that there are some affordable items.

   Warm, friendly atmosphere.

   Left-handed notebooks and rain gear. :)

   Nothing

   I like how you can ask what books you'll need for certain classes.

   art supplies

   keep making it easy to get textbooks for distance students

   I have not used the uas bookstore.

   The art supplies are a must since there aren't many quality art supplies around town and not many provided in art classes. The free trade gifts and such are nice as well.

   Free trade gift items, friendly staff.

   Having books available on campus is very helpful. I also like all the art supplies and gifts.

   Should keep selling UAS clothing, etc.  It seems many students buy books online, but I feel like UAS should provide a place for students to buy books.

   Textbooks (if they're at a reasonable price), UAS gear including hats and sweaters etc., other artsy trinkets, art supplies for art students (even though I never bought them because I'm not an art student), being able to charge your purchases to your UAS account.

   international items and art supplies and books,

   I like the area at the front of the store with the products from other countries. Fair Trade !!

   It got a great array of supplies, books, and gift stuff

   They should definitely keep the gift section, UAS clothing, and general supplies in tact. I feel the whole textbook industry should be renovated to better suit the needs of the students, and until that is done, the UAS bookstore will still have problems.

   The variety of items and local art.

   Open on Saturdays

   The ability to select a campus and a class or classes and the site specifies the specific books I need for those classes.

   There are a lot of cool gifts and art supplies here, I would hate to lose that.

   The spirit of UAS and all that it stands for.

   Great selection! I always find cool things when I visit.

   The cool stuff they have

   customer service and Alaska spirit

   Gifts

   friendly staff, great merchandice

   A bookstore is an essential part of a university - it is a critical public face. The UAS logo clothing and similar items, the gifts, and the general book selection say important things about UAS. Yes, text books can be purchased elsewhere, but there is an emotional/psychological aspect of the bookstore that is an important part of a university experience for students, their families, and the community.

 

8. Looking ahead, what changes or new or enhanced services should UAS consider for the bookstore?

   Valid Missing Mean 52 29 NA

   Comments:

   The main change that needs to happen mainly involves the overpricing of textbooks. This bookstore has prices that are almost three times more than other online websites, and almost never provide a refund for returned textbooks. I'm aware that it is a small, local bookstore, but that does not mean they need to have a near 100% profit on textbooks.

   The bookstore needs to consider revamping its buy back program.  A book I BOUGHT from the bookstore for over $150 dollars was going to be bought back for $20- that's rude and a slap in the face.  I wound p trading te book into amazon for $70 and was able to buy books for my next semester.

   Lower more competitive prices

   Having it on campus for students to easily access. Downstairs of Mourant was very convenient.  I highly recommend it being on campus, particularly with freshman housing being built there. It is far away and not easy for them to access.

   None.  It should be closed.

   Move back on Campus....ground floor of new freshman dorm! or lower floor of Egan classrooms or k to upper Mourant adjacent to cafeteria

   It would be great if you could add a coffee shop, news stand and lounge area and make it a destination for students, staff and the public. It might get more traffic if it is on campus.

   ?

   Working with MBS to establish reasonable shipping fees.

   Better prices! Many school things in there are way overpriced. (ie graphing calculators for $150 when the same calculator can be bought at a nearby store for $120).

   I wish the bookstore was on campus. I believe that majority would benefit from the move to on campus it would also bring the community on campus to be a part of it and be able to see our changes. I think improving their website so anyone could shop on it would be a great feature, items could include books, apparel, gifts, supplies etc (maybe even a sale or a clearance section). If this was available more people outside of Juneau (especially our satellite campuses) would be able to purchase UAS items including their books.

   Lower prices would help, I would be more open to buying merchandise if it were affordable.

   Location

   I think that the book list for all classes should be compiled in a place that students can view it without physically going to the bookstore or MBS.

   online marketplace as opposed to "buy back" and selling used.

   The buy books back could be a bit organized and a bit more friendly. I know the stresses and the busyness of final weeks are, but when I try to return my books, I feel as if I'm being a burden on the worker. And the organization of the paperwork and looking up if the book is still being used...took them 15 minutes to check if a certain textbook was returning the next semester. Attitude towards customers and organization is the only problems I've encountered.

   The UAS bookstore does not represent the university as one would expect. Items and articles of clothing bearing the UAS Learn, Engage, Change logo are few and far between. More of this kind of thing could enhance the feeling of being part of a team and assist in efforts for increased student retainment.

   I do know what you're thinking (I think).  Don't completely get rid of the bookstore.  Consolidating that part of campus (bookstore and admin services) somehow onto the "main" part of campus would be beneficial in the future, which probably means more construction...but I would see why UAS wants out of that current complex.  Maybe a NEW BUILDING would help with this and office/classroom space issues.

   Renting the textbooks and matching prices to online stores.

   I wish the textbooks were less expensive. HOWEVER, I used to work at the bookstore and I know they actually lose money by selling the textbooks, so it would probably be better for them to raise the prices (if they could)! So, the only thing I might suggest is to have a small corner of the bookstore turned into a meet/greet area with a small barista stand. It would bring in some extra customers, leave room for book signings (which has always been hard in past years), encourage students to come by more often (especially if the coffee was cheaper than Waffle Co's!), and perhaps even be a place where local musicians could play for the store and, therefore, bring in even more revenue! Just a thought. :)

   The prices for textbooks at the bookstore seem to be inflated to about $50 over the retail price. This probably encourages students to buy their books from other sources. If the bookstore could find a way to have competitive prices, they would probably sell more books!

   It's always helpful to have textbooks at affordable prices. Also, I don't see why more used textbooks aren't available. Students are poor. When I first went into the bookstore to buy books, I couldn't even see the textbook section. It doesn't seem like education is much of the focus of the bookstore.

   More community/campus engagement via activities or educational opportunities.

   Please consider outsourcing online book purchases; having computer terminals in the bookstore so that staff can assist students/parents in purchasing books, or we can self-help. Please also buy all the books back that you sell; it's just not nice when a class requires 10 novels and I can't sell one of them back!

   I understand textbooks are expensive in general, though UAS seems to charge a premium. The issue would not be much of an problem if the bookstore offered even somewhat decent prices for buyback, if at all. in my six semesters here, I have never received more than 10% back for buyback. One semester I was forced to buy from UAS due to time conflicts, I spent $1270 on books only to receive $64 back, that is a total of 5% back. It is ridiculous and a legal for price gouging.

   It should be on campus, that would make access to it easier and more convenient for students. I would use it more if it were on the main campus due to the frequency on being here. I find it more of an inconvenience having to walk to the bookstore with it not being on campus. Bascially, I would actually go there if it were on the actual campus.

   They should have a book rental program like UAA.

   maybe more sales and special events.

   you need to be sure that the correct books for all classes are actually listed for the classes.

   less expensive books

   NEW MANAGEMENT/EMPLOYEES. Stop ripping students off and give them more money back for their used books, and treat students with respect a CLIENT deserves.

   Textbooks aside, the prices of art supplies, supplemental books, supplies, etc. are atrocious. Why would I pay $3 for a notebook at the bookstore when I can just get a 99 cent one at Fred Meyers?

   It would be nice if the books were more affordable. I'd prefer to purchase my books on campus, but I can't justify spending sometimes twice as much as purchasing them online.

   renting textbooks.

   Lowering prices to match the competitive online market.  Personally, when I ordered my graduation invitations from the UAS bookstore, I thought they could have been much nicer.  Not only were they not on very prestigious looking paper, but they had been folded so terribly that I was embarrassed sending them out.  I would recommend to anyone to make their own graduation invitations after getting mine in that condition.

   STOP RIPPING STUDENT OFF. WE ARE POOR.

   Help for people in low income bracket that isn't scholarship based but off of if you use food stamps.

   Add more merchandise to the online site so those outside of Juneau can order items. Put more pictures of the items, not just the logo on the clothing items.

   Better pricing for textbooks and buy back pricing that reflects those prices. There is no comparison when I can buy a text book for $4 with shipping when the book store wants two or three times that much and then pay back pennies on the dollar to just sell it at a extremely high price again. I don't buy my books there because I can save an average of $250 every semester shopping around and buying them elsewhere.

   It's already a great little store, I think it would get utilized more for buying supplies and such if it were actually on campus.

   The UAS bookstore should look for a better way to do the buy back system. Currently I don't feel students are being properly compensated for returning their books at the end of semester. Maybe if they ramped up their general book section, they might get more business outside of the university.

   The bookstore should be located on campus.

   Buy back more books

   More e-Text version availability of textbooks!  I want a choice of e-text or hardcover.  I often buy both versions of all texts available so that I have a choice.  I travel a lot, so e-text is great when I am sitting on an airplane or in a car.  I prefer hardcover when I am at my desk doing assignments.  However, even sitting at home, the e-text version on a iPad or laptop is great too when I am just reading.  Yes, it does double the price of my books, but I do not mind paying that additional cost if I am getting the extra benefit for my money.  The textbook companies should offer a more expensive version of the hardcover which includes an electronic-version.  I would buy it every time!

   Maybe a used book area for students to operate, or a way for students to independently sell their books directly to other students. I know it would probably cause the bookstore to lose money, but it would help the community a lot.

   It would be nice if more of the clothing was offered on line.  Years ago I got a t-shrit.

   Please be on campus. As a distance student who often comes to Juneau having the book store off campus is frustrating.

   Placing the bookstore at a more accessible location.

   No comment

   Better location

   move the bookstore onto the campus, it is impossible to get to between classes for merchandise you may have forgotten to bring. also make it bigger, the aisles can be to tight to move through effectively.

   Coffee shop; feature more local retail items such as smoked salmon and local art work. I have mixed feelings about the current location of the bookstore. Need to figure out how to advertise the bookstore more.