UAS Bookstore Survey

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

    Valid Missing Mean
    48 0 NA
    As a local student : 18
     
    As a distance (eLearning) student : 15
     
    As an instructor : 8
     
    University employee : 7
     
    Member of the public : 0
  2.  
  3. Please indicate where you live:

    Valid Missing Mean
    48 0 NA
    UAS Housing : 3
     
    Juneau community : 33
     
    Outside of Juneau : 12
     
  4.  
  5. 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
    48 0 NA
    Very helpful : 3
     
    Somewhat helpful : 19
     
    No opinion : 4
     
    Somewhat unhelpful : 1
     
    Very unhelpful : 5
     
    I have never used the web site : 16
     
  6.  
  7. How do you usually buy your text books?

    Valid Missing Mean
    41 7 NA
    Juneau campus bookstore : 1
     
    Juneau online bookstore (MBS Direct) : 2
     
    Other local bookstore : 0
    Other online bookstore : 20
     
    Whoever has the best price : 18
     
    Comments:
    Selected: Whoever has the best price
    Amazon has the best prices for textbooks, and offers the option to rent your textbooks.
    Selected: Whoever has the best price
    My students prefer online
    Selected: Other online bookstore
    I use amazon the most as they have cheap and used books.
    I do not buy textbooks.
    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.
    I have not bought text books in Juneau. I'm not sure how my son bought his. Some were new and some were used.
    Selected: Other online bookstore
    I buy it from the cheapest website. I even started renting them online.
    Selected: Whoever has the best price
    I also recommend to my students (unless they depend on FinAid for books) to look around for the best price.
    Selected: Other online bookstore
    Prices are outrageous and the whole system is designed to artificially inflate the cost of the text books while releases new books every year with very small changes ensuring that students are forced to spend, spend, spend.
    Selected: Other online bookstore
    UAS bookstore is a joke
    Selected: Other online bookstore
    Amazon is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than this bookstore. I only use the store when extremely deaperate. This bookstore over prices absolutely everythig which is horribly inconvenient for a student on a budget.
    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.
    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
    MBS is an over-priced nightmare. I find that digital versions are significantly cheaper from the publisher websites (usually $80-$150 for ebook and required access). If there is no digital version I'lI buy from Amazon, usually for one third the price that MBS charges. Unfortunately, instructors seldom let students know about these cheaper options, which is a disservice to their students.
    Selected: Whoever has the best price
    rent from amazon
    Selected: Other online bookstore
    I would have to spend double if I didnt. I will always prefer to buy on Amazon or ebay.
    I receive copies from the publisher.
    Selected: Whoever has the best price
    The burden of extremely high text prices is an unnecessary drag on the growth of economically productive graduates. It is not only an ineffective system, and a waste of potential economic growth; it also eats at trust, leaves one feeling as if someone is deliberately and unfairly taking advantage of students' vulnerability in needing texts to acquire education.
    Selected: Other online bookstore
    Juneau bookstore prices are ridiculous.
  8.  
  9. I use the campus bookstore to purchase:

    Valid Missing Mean
    48 0 NA
    Textbooks : 4
     
    School supplies/backpacks : 1
     
    Art supplies : 1
     
    Clothing : 0
    General books : 0
    Gifts : 0
    I do not shop at the campus bookstore : 48
     
    Other : 1
     
    Comments:
    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: 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: I do not shop at the campus bookstore
    My son bought text books, school supplies, and art supplies for his art class.
    Selected: I do not shop at the campus bookstore
    It's a scam.
    Selected: I do not shop at the campus bookstore
    I've browsed but have not bought anything
    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 continuously look for books through the bookstore, but usually purchase online because of significant price differences.
    Selected: I do not shop at the campus bookstore
    TOO EXPENSIVE
    Selected: I do not shop at the campus bookstore
    I will not contribute my money to such an extortion
    Selected: I do not shop at the campus bookstore
    I have not had the opportunity to shop at the bookstore since I just arrived in Juneau. I will shop at the bookstore in the future.
    Selected: I do not shop at the campus bookstore
    The bookstore prices are ridiculous and the buy-back is at a terrible rate.
  10.  
  11. Do you use the bookstore to purchase books using financial aid or agency funding prior to disbursement?

    Valid Missing Mean
    48 0 NA
    Yes : 4
     
    No : 44
     
  12.  
  13. Looking ahead, what are the best things about the current UAS Bookstore that UAS should strive to preserve?

    Valid Missing Mean
    29 19 NA
    Comments:
    The has bookstore website is helpful in that local and distance textbooks are easy to search for.
    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.
    no comment
    Its a great place to get some university clothing. However, I do not like the Ray Troll and wish there was more professional and more classic UAS logo wear.
    It looks really nice.
    Nothing, close it down and save the university some money.  People buy stuff, including books, online.  There is no need for a physical bookstore at UAS.
    Nothing. It is a dinosaur.
    convenience
    Currently the UAS Bookstore is the only shop in town that sells high quality acrylic paint...
    It's a place convenient to classes for students to buy textbooks, school, and art supplies.
    Everything.
    local knowledge
    Collaboration with FinAid so students can get their books by the time classes start if they are financially strapped.
    Preserve? Nothing. The current system is horrible.
    T shirts, etc.
    Warm, friendly atmosphere.
    Nothing
    Diverse selection of goods
    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.
    It's nice that there's immediate gratification if I forgot something or added a class late.
    Having books available on campus is very helpful. I also like all the art supplies and gifts.
    international items and art supplies and books,
    nothing
    I do not have enough information to answer this question.
    Need to lower prices, stop trying to make money and focus on helping students
    Surveying student opinions. That is a great first step.
    The only thing that the University should preserve is the online service attached to the bookstore. I find it necessary to find my book ISBNs.
    N/A
  14.  
  15. Looking ahead, what changes or new or enhanced services should UAS consider for the bookstore?

    Valid Missing Mean
    32 16 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.
    None.  It should be closed.
    no comment
    I feel like more students would use the book store more if it was on the main campus. I know when it moved I really stopped going there. It is just as easy to go a store to get supplies, and they seem to have a better price. I think if there is ever a student union built, relocating the book store to that building on campus would help greatly. I would like to see more done with the logo wear too.
    No longer needed. Books are way cheaper on Amazon.
    The location of the bookstore should be on campus. The site of the bookstore should serve the greater community. Locating the bookstore on campus would help create more of a university feel where there is currently not.
    None.
    None. Students buy there books through other less expensive online services.
    online marketplace as opposed to "buy back" and selling used.
    Renting the textbooks and matching prices to online stores.
    software And hardware
    Less knick knacks, what is that all about?
    Burn it down and say ten hail mary's.
    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!
    be on campus
    More community/campus engagement via activities or educational opportunities.
    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.
    Pricea! Prices! Prices! Lower them and stop over pricing us on books! We are not rich.
    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.
    Price, price, price. When books can be found at a fraction of the cost through amazon & half.com, it's a no-brainer as a student who plans ahead to order online. Especially on used books that you bought back at a fraction of what it was sold for.
    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.
    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.
    Lower your damn prices
    I do not have enough information to answer this question.
    Commit to support for revising the current system of publishing and pricing texts.
    Use one of the empty classrooms as a book store, why waste the money renting another building?
    Mainly continue on with/improve upon the website.
    Giving students the opportunity to purchase books even though they have not received their financial aid disbursement.
  16.  

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