Photo by Joseph Lachance | Carts of books sit outside the campus store to advertise for the $5 “fill a bag” deal.
Through Nov. 16, the University of Rhode Island campus store is holding a sale where you can fit as many books as possible into a bag for only $5.
The bookstore began with three bookshelves and three carts and have condensed to two rolling racks which are sitting outside the entrance during the week of Oct. 29. Gail Skidmore, a sales associate, said that the books they chose to put out were ones they had in overstock, old editions of textbooks and review books. There were also quite a few foreign language textbooks and foreign language dictionaries initially put out that have been getting sold. According to Skidmore, many of the books were in great condition that the bookstore had either bought with the hopes of selling or books that they had two or more copies of that were traded in by students.
The Campus Store Director, Paul Whitney, and Student Sales Associate, Ryan Menard, worked together to overcome the issue of overstocked books taking up space in the warehouse, leading to the $5 book sale. According to Menard, the bookstore has held similar sales to this one in the past, prior to him coming to URI a year ago.
Menard said that he thinks it is impacting the student body by helping them save money while still being able to afford the correct resources they need to gain knowledge. Students can find books on topics they are either personally interested in or can provide them with necessary resources they need to be successful in classes.
Skidmore said that approximately five to six books can fit into each bag and many students have taken full advantage of that, finding many books they need for such a cheap price. Because each bag is only $5, even students who have only bought a single book are still getting a great deal. “We’re not making a profit but it is stagnant inventory that is taking up space – so it is a way to sell books that people will use,” said Skidmore.
Menard reaffirmed Skidmore’s statement, saying that the booksale is a tool for helping students get a good deal on books the bookstore will be unlikely be able to sell- a positive outcome for both sides.
“We’ve already sold a tremendous amount,” said Skidmore. “People seemed thrilled!”
As a student, Menard was also very happy with both the outcome of the sale and the positive impact it has had on students.“People like to read and if they can fill a bag with books for only $5 then that’s great,” said Menard. “People always think the bookstore is out to get them but we’re really not. Hopefully, this shows students that.”
Menard said that word of the sale spread quickly. The first day the sale began they put a sign at the front entrance of the bookstore but had not advertised around campus yet. However, even without advertising, many students came and took advantage of the booksale on the first day. News of the sale also spread through word of mouth with the help of the Student Senate, who Menard reached out to about the sale and asked to spread around campus.