Okay, I’m going to come out and just say it plain and simple, bundled packages are mainly rip offs in my mind.  I’m the bookstore owner and I am saying that!!!  The reality behind bundled packages is that unless all the components are actually being used in the classroom, then there is simply no good reason for a publisher to jam it down everyone’s throats.     Unfortunately, there may be some unsuspecting professors who get duped into thinking that the package when bundled is a better deal.   Here is the typical sales pitch that I think happens behind closed doors.

Publisher:  So her professor XYZ, we have a new bundle package for your intro book you used last semester!

Prof:  A new bundle package?  What is that?  Do I really need that?  I used the basic book last time and it seemed fine.

Publisher:  Well, the bookstores are ordering alot of the study guide and the extra software that is optional.  If we bundle it all together , we are throwing in the software as a freebie to the student and the overall price is much lower for the students.

Prof:    Well,  I suppose that might be a better deal for the students after all then, right?

Publisher:  Absolutely!  The students wont know what hit them!!!

Back to reality.   As a bookstore attempting to save our customer’s money, we attempt to buy all the components that are listed in the packages.   Fact is however, that some publishers wont even let us know what the pieces are inside the bundle package until it actually arrives.  There are countless stories of huge packages that occur at this campus and other campuses that are simply unnecessary.    You are being forced to buy something that you clearly dont value and its not fair, period.   Its a huge game of cat and mouse that the publishers are playing.   In addition to that, either some professors just need to be informed and educated a bit about these consequences or some of them simply just dont care.

Dont get me wrong,  we all know that most of all professors are good people who do care about your wellfare, but there are always going to be some that operate on their own agenda.  Thats just life and that goes for all types of people.    What is crazy is that this is one of the few industries in the world where the end consumer, and the actual store who provides the product actually have no say in the process of determing what products are to be offered for sale to the customers, and whether the customers need to buy those products or not.

Some bundle packages may actually have a value.   In defense of the bundle package,  I have seen some that are responsible and sensible as the subject material was technology or science based and had some really cool sofware that actually enhanced the learning process.  When this happens its a good thing for you.   The bottom line is that the resposibility falls on you to hold the other parties in this process to task when abuse occurs.   Its like voting.  If you dont vote, dont complain.    If you dont investigate with your professor ahead of time regarding big packages filled with software and other anxialaries, then only you can be held responsible later when you find out its worth nothing next semester and you never even used half of the items in the package.

At Lieberman’s we try as hard as we can to fight against unnecessary packages by offering you as many used copies of components that we can, when we can.

Sound off with your comments.  We would love to hear your feedback.