Browsing for books has gone beyond local bookstores.
Textbook shopping is now available online on Web sites such as Walmart.com, Amazon.com and eBay.com.
StudentMarket.com also provides textbook shopping, but allows the consumer to search for books and compare the price from numerous companies at one time.
"Within a couple of clicks, students can find their books for the lowest price available," said Oren Milgram, director of student affairs for StudentMarket.com.
He originally started the company as the first national book exchange, where students could sell their books to the Web site, but it eventually evolved into a textbook comparison site.
"We realized that students were more interested in buying books than selling them," Milgram said. "With so many sites out there, it seemed like a logical transition."
Val Ross, director of the ASU bookstore, said he understands that purchasing textbooks can be an inconvenience, but disagreed that buying online is easier than going to a bookstore.
"We realize that students may have to stand in line for 20 minutes and that books are expensive, but students will have what they need when they leave," Ross said. "We are very proud of our quality and our prices."
History sophomore Rachel Seftel said she did not buy her books online even though she was dissatisfied with the bookstore on the whole.
"Anyone with half a brain is crazy to come here [the bookstore] because the prices are outrageous and the lines are enormous," Seftel said. "But I'm lazy and I think it is a hassle to wait for your books. By the time you get your syllabus and have homework, it's too late."
Journalism senior Megan Murphy tried the alternative and bought her books from the Web.
"I bought my books online just because I didn't want to stand in those hour-long lines," said Murphy. "Also, I thought I'd save myself some money."
Reach the reporter at jennifer.summers@asu.edu.
