My last blog really got me thinking. Since I am in college and will be for at least one more year (if all goes well LOL) I will be looking at more books to buy. I got thinking, why buy when I know I wont be keeping the books. I looked more into the different text book rental system.
I searched both Google.com and Dogpile.com. and found four leading websites for book rentals geared towards colleges. The first was Chegg.com 1. I decided to see what the book cost for rental would be for the 5th edition of Business Organizations for Parlegals, 5th edition, by Deborah E. Bouchoux would be. For one quarter rental (85 days), the cost would be $66.35. This site boasts of free return shipping for the customer. To ship the books to the customer, this site charges for standard shipping (7-10 business days) $3.99 for the first item and $1.99 for each additional item. For Priority shipping (4-7 business days) $6.99 for the first item and #3.99 each additional item. The company states that they will plant a tree for each book rented. They had the usual pay options such as MasterCard or Visa options, but also allowed PayPal payment options. Book search was very easy to perform, and easy to find. Depending on the situation, there could be extention rental costs and penalties, but for semester rentals, the site claims free extentions.
The next site I came across was BookRenter.com. 2. For the same book, Business Organizations for Parlegals, 5th edition, by Deborah E. Bouchoux, I found the rental for a quarter would be 75.15 for a quarter, (theirs was 90 days). They offer free return shipping on all books. The cost to pay to have the books shipped to the customer for ground delivery (3-7 business days) is $3.95 for the first item and $1.95 for each additional item. For 2 Day express (2 business days) is $11.95 for the first item and $5.95 for each additional item. For Next Day Air (1 business day) is $19.95 for the first item and $9.95 for each additional item. There is a policy for rental extentions, and it is easy to set up, and no set limit on how many times someone could extend a rental. This site is very user friendly and easily laid out for anyone to use. I found everything I needed easily and quickly. Payment options that could be used are MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover Card. So with out one of those the renter is out of luck.
The third site I went to was CollegeBookRenter.com. 3. This site I did not care for, the search was not user friendly at all. Title searches were hard, having either the ISBN number or auther was easier to do. The book, Business Organizations for Parlegals, 5th edition, by Deborah E. Bouchoux, for a 90 day rental is $46.83. Standard shipping (7-14 business days) is $3.99 for the first item and $1.99 for each additional item. Priority shipping (3-7 business days) is $6.99 for the first item and $3.99 each additional item. The return shipping is free. Payment here is with the usual credit cards, and PayPal is accepted. So there are some nice options to pay for the books. They also offer gift cards.
The last site I reviewed is CampusBookRentals.com. 4. This site is somewhat user friendly, but did nto have the 5th edition of Business Organizations for Parlegals, by Deborah E. Bouchoux, but did have the 4th edition listed, but was out of stock. I searched another title that is used in the Sinclair Community College program, Basic Bankruptcy Law for Paralegals, Abridged Edition, by David L Buchbincer, also out of stock. Another search for Ethics for the Legal Professional, 6th Edition, by Deborah K. Orlik, again, "Out of Stock". This was very disheartening. No books to rent? Really, and they were suppose to rent books. Anyway, the company claims free shipping to and from for the renters. Should be easy when one cant find a book to rent. Quarter rentals are for 85 days long and summer rentals are 55 days long. The problem is I could not find any rental costs or charges for books due to the fact that they were all out of stock, including the Government by the People, 23rd Edition, by David B. Magleby.
From my husband I have learned to always look before I leap, meaning, to always check out the Better Business Bureau on any web site or business to see if there are any good and bad reports on them. So, for the site Chegg.com the BBB gave them a B rating. The BBB stated that they have been in business since February 1, 2008, and that the company gave proper consideration for their complaints. However, there did seem to be over 85 complaints listed. 5. (rating system for the BBB 6.)
The BBB gave BookRenter.com an A renting, also stating that they have been in business since November. 1, 2004. The BBB stated that the company gave proper consideration for their complaints. The BBB only showed that there were 2 complaints listed. 7.
The BBB did not have a good rating at all for this company. They gave CollegeBookRenter.com an F. The BBB stated that there were 13 complaints filed against the business, that there was not sufficient information to determine how long the business has been operating and that there is not sufficient background information on this business. 8.
The last site, CampusBookRentals.com, was rated by the BBB with an A- due to the length of time that they business has been operating. This business shows has been in operation since August 2007. There were not complaints listed against them. I just wonder how, when there were not books to rent, everything out of stock? 9.
I hope this helps in the decision to buy or rent books for my fellow classmates or for anyone reading this blog who are or has students in college. All the sites that I reviewd did allow for some writing or highlighting in the books.
Personally, I entend to rent next quarter, for it seems to be the most economical way to go. I am just not sure which of the first two sites I may go with. I know I will not even think twice on the last two.
1. http://www.chegg.com/
2. http://www.bookrenter.com/
3. http://www.collegebookrenter.com/
4. http://www.campusbookrentals.com/
5. http://sanjose.bbb.org/Business-Report/Cheggcom-238456
6. http://sanjose.bbb.org/WhatAreBBBRatings.aspx
7. http://sanjose.bbb.org/Business-Report/BookRentercom-221727
8. http://www.bbb.org/charlotte/business-reviews/books-textbooks-new-and-used/college-book-renter-in-charlotte-nc-219251
9. http://www.bbb.org/utah/business-reviews/rare-and-used-book-stores/campus-book-rentals-in-kaysville-ut-22231610
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
You can now rent items instead of buying
Today's economy is getting tighter with people being laid off, and companies closing. This is making everyone tighten their budgets. People are looking for alternative solutions to compensate for what can not be bought. Some of the ways people are finding is instead of buying things they are finding ways to rent them. I came acrost an article "12 things you didn't know you could rent" and it intrigued me. 1. This article listed some things I knew could be rented such as power tools, party supplies, sporting goods, camping gear and bikes. It also listed things I did not know that could be rented, such as the iPhone and college text books. Yes, I said college text books.
This lead me to a web sight Chegg.com 2. I searched out the books we use in the paralegal program and calcuated the costs of buying them to what was listed as quarterly rental fees and found out I could save a LOT of money. The company even states that the renter could ship the books back for free. This would be an additional cost saver.
This lead me to search more and see what else was out there to support renting items and what was being offered. I came across WHIO TV's web sight with and article suggesting we "Go Green", stating there are four R's to think about, not three. We all know the normal three "reduce, reuse, and recycle". The writer states that the fourth R is "rent", supporting that power tools are better rented, than bought out right. The average power tool, once bought is generally used only once or twice then sits on a shelf gathering dust, if it was not bought as a business purchase. 3.
Another sight I came acrossed gave ideas of not only renting but trading, and borrowing. 4. The writer states that the internet is a great source to search for sites that will help with the hunt for items. This article did state that among the things I ahve already stated that could be rented that one could also rent designer handbags and jewelry.
I also found out that for the person who loves to grow their own produce but either lives in an apartment or has a "no grow" ordinance in their neighborhood, that some cities have an area where a person can rent a plot. Some also offer potted plants for terraces that can by rented in three month increments. 1.
All these article have given me food for thought. With today's economy as it is, it gives me options to buying many items. Looking at some of the links on the articles and checking out the cost of some of the rentals shows me that there are many ways out there to save money by renting items that I am buying and not keeping.
1. http://green.yahoo.com/blog/daily_green_news/201/12-things-you-didn-t-know-you-could-rent.html
2. http://www.chegg.com/
3. http://www.whiotv.com/money/21120990/detail.html
4..http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/27453710/?GT1=43001
This lead me to a web sight Chegg.com 2. I searched out the books we use in the paralegal program and calcuated the costs of buying them to what was listed as quarterly rental fees and found out I could save a LOT of money. The company even states that the renter could ship the books back for free. This would be an additional cost saver.
This lead me to search more and see what else was out there to support renting items and what was being offered. I came across WHIO TV's web sight with and article suggesting we "Go Green", stating there are four R's to think about, not three. We all know the normal three "reduce, reuse, and recycle". The writer states that the fourth R is "rent", supporting that power tools are better rented, than bought out right. The average power tool, once bought is generally used only once or twice then sits on a shelf gathering dust, if it was not bought as a business purchase. 3.
Another sight I came acrossed gave ideas of not only renting but trading, and borrowing. 4. The writer states that the internet is a great source to search for sites that will help with the hunt for items. This article did state that among the things I ahve already stated that could be rented that one could also rent designer handbags and jewelry.
I also found out that for the person who loves to grow their own produce but either lives in an apartment or has a "no grow" ordinance in their neighborhood, that some cities have an area where a person can rent a plot. Some also offer potted plants for terraces that can by rented in three month increments. 1.
All these article have given me food for thought. With today's economy as it is, it gives me options to buying many items. Looking at some of the links on the articles and checking out the cost of some of the rentals shows me that there are many ways out there to save money by renting items that I am buying and not keeping.
1. http://green.yahoo.com/blog/daily_green_news/201/12-things-you-didn-t-know-you-could-rent.html
2. http://www.chegg.com/
3. http://www.whiotv.com/money/21120990/detail.html
4..http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/27453710/?GT1=43001
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Bringing back the train system from Cincinnati to Cleveland
While looking at the web site for the Dayton Daily News, I came across an article about reopening the old train station. By opening this train station it will reopen the old line that closed back in 1979 running trains from Cincinnati all the way to Cleveland with stops in Dayton and Columbus. 1. This "new" line and station is due to open in 2011 at the corner of Ludlow and Sixth St. at the sight of the old train station, which will only be a few blocks away from Sinclair Community College.
Ohio is one of 24 states that have submitted proposals to be allocated some of the funds that the federal government has set aside for upgrading the rail way systems, to make public commuting more affordable and easier access by the masses. 2. Dayton's proposal will cost about $5.7 million dollars to install, ipdate and renovate the tracks as well as for a clock tower, covered walkways, and ticketing areas.
Ohio has also requested about $50 million to be set aside to set up a small terminal in Riverside over by the Air Force Museum. This will help to boost tourist visits and should help boost the economy.
If Ohio gets the budget approvals for the rail system, then constructions should start for both the downtown Dayton and Riverside sites by February 1st, 2010. If things go well then the tracks should be operational by 2011.
Cost for a one way ticket from Cincinnati to Dayton would run about $7.00, and from Cincinnati to Columbus one way would be $10.50. The train system would be an excellent way to cut down on traffic to and from Cincinnati and Columbus on the highways. The trains max speeds will top out at 79 mile per hour. While it may not save on time due to the stops and waits for passengers to load and unload, it will cut down on pollution and well as the traffic jams during rush hours. The estimated time for travel from Cincinnati to Dayton would be about an hour and a half by the train.
I feel this would be a great project for Ohio, it would create both short term and long term jobs to set up the stations, and man them. It would cut down on traffic and pollution. I can see myself taking the train from Riverside, where I live to the downtown hub, since it is a more direct route than the bus system for me now. I can see where it could save on gas costs and parking costs.
1. http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/downtown-passenger-train-station-could-be-operational-by-2011-342802.html
2. http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohio-news/the-time-is-now-for-rail-local-officials-say-342798.html
Ohio is one of 24 states that have submitted proposals to be allocated some of the funds that the federal government has set aside for upgrading the rail way systems, to make public commuting more affordable and easier access by the masses. 2. Dayton's proposal will cost about $5.7 million dollars to install, ipdate and renovate the tracks as well as for a clock tower, covered walkways, and ticketing areas.
Ohio has also requested about $50 million to be set aside to set up a small terminal in Riverside over by the Air Force Museum. This will help to boost tourist visits and should help boost the economy.
If Ohio gets the budget approvals for the rail system, then constructions should start for both the downtown Dayton and Riverside sites by February 1st, 2010. If things go well then the tracks should be operational by 2011.
Cost for a one way ticket from Cincinnati to Dayton would run about $7.00, and from Cincinnati to Columbus one way would be $10.50. The train system would be an excellent way to cut down on traffic to and from Cincinnati and Columbus on the highways. The trains max speeds will top out at 79 mile per hour. While it may not save on time due to the stops and waits for passengers to load and unload, it will cut down on pollution and well as the traffic jams during rush hours. The estimated time for travel from Cincinnati to Dayton would be about an hour and a half by the train.
I feel this would be a great project for Ohio, it would create both short term and long term jobs to set up the stations, and man them. It would cut down on traffic and pollution. I can see myself taking the train from Riverside, where I live to the downtown hub, since it is a more direct route than the bus system for me now. I can see where it could save on gas costs and parking costs.
1. http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/downtown-passenger-train-station-could-be-operational-by-2011-342802.html
2. http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohio-news/the-time-is-now-for-rail-local-officials-say-342798.html
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Kroger's Manufacturing, the side I did not know
Reviewing an article about Kroger's Grocery Stores stepping up it manufacturing process of foods, I found out that Krogers manufacutures just about half of their own name brand products that they sell. (This article was found in two different locations. (1). (2). )This totals to about "14,400 in-house products", such as their icecream and their colas. Making the products themselves saves the company on costs, which passes the savings onto the customers.
Some other companies that do this is WalMart, which owns 40 companies to do their manufacturing, and Safeway which has 32 manufacturing companies. The companies that manufacture their own products have a greater control on contents of the products as well as price to sell to the general public.
By offering and manufacturing their own brand of popular products, this has created factories and more jobs for the economy. It has also offered consumers a cheaper alternative to name brand products during a time when most people are trying to get the most for their money during the economic crunch. Sales of the in-store name brands has increased over the last year, and by offering more variety can only increase the sales and profits. Also, by making their own product, it saves on time to go from the manufacturing floor to the stores. This would cut down on warehouse storage time, and increase product freshness.
The stores dont make all their own product, there are some things that still get "farmed" out to other companies to make. However, as this trend increases, we may see more of the store brand products being offered will be made by the store themselves.
Some stores that sell store brand products do not do any of their manufacturing, such as the National Grocer Supervalu Inc. Making their own product does not seem to fit into their way of doing things.
Being a Kroger shopper, I found this very interesting, for I normally by the store brand products. This makes it mean more knowing that by buying the products, I am supporting a way to keep my savings down and keeping people employed when jobs are tough to find.
(1). http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohio-news/grocer-kroger-cranks-up-food-manufacturing-335006.html
(2). http://news.findlaw.com/ap_stories/f/1310/10-07-2009/20091007070507_09.html
Some other companies that do this is WalMart, which owns 40 companies to do their manufacturing, and Safeway which has 32 manufacturing companies. The companies that manufacture their own products have a greater control on contents of the products as well as price to sell to the general public.
By offering and manufacturing their own brand of popular products, this has created factories and more jobs for the economy. It has also offered consumers a cheaper alternative to name brand products during a time when most people are trying to get the most for their money during the economic crunch. Sales of the in-store name brands has increased over the last year, and by offering more variety can only increase the sales and profits. Also, by making their own product, it saves on time to go from the manufacturing floor to the stores. This would cut down on warehouse storage time, and increase product freshness.
The stores dont make all their own product, there are some things that still get "farmed" out to other companies to make. However, as this trend increases, we may see more of the store brand products being offered will be made by the store themselves.
Some stores that sell store brand products do not do any of their manufacturing, such as the National Grocer Supervalu Inc. Making their own product does not seem to fit into their way of doing things.
Being a Kroger shopper, I found this very interesting, for I normally by the store brand products. This makes it mean more knowing that by buying the products, I am supporting a way to keep my savings down and keeping people employed when jobs are tough to find.
(1). http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohio-news/grocer-kroger-cranks-up-food-manufacturing-335006.html
(2). http://news.findlaw.com/ap_stories/f/1310/10-07-2009/20091007070507_09.html
Friday, September 25, 2009
Uproar in Pittsburg over G-20 Conference
Pittsburg is having issues controlling riots over the G-20 conference.(1). They have been busy all week trying to control or disperse protestors of the Conference. On Thursday the march was considered illegal as soon as it started out and over 70 people were detained and arrested from the march. The police have also been breaking up many different protests at various businesses and organizations.
The reason the police broke up the protestors was that they did not have a permit to protest and the police deemed what they were doing was unlawful. Some of the protestors were wearing ski masks, others had saftey goggles and hard hats.
The protestors are asking "the "affinity groups" to protest Friday morning at companies that it says represent greed, exploitation, warfare and other social ills, with potential targets including banks, Starbucks, McDonald's, grocery stores and a Marine Corps recruiting center." Meaning that the groups are being asked to show non-violent demonstrations to company's with high resales and propogandas.
The G-20 conference, which is "causing" all the commotion is otherwise known as Group 20. (2). This is comprised of 20 nations who met a year ago when the world was facing a global financial colapse. They have formed a permanent counsel to help regulate global economy and to try to prevent any future global economic meltdowns.
Many nations in the G-20 conference have not made any strides in their own countries to fix their economic issues. America's Congress, as well, has not made much headway in this issue, with being bogged down with Health Care Reform and other issues.
(1). http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33017820/ns/us_news-life/
(2). http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32987868/
The reason the police broke up the protestors was that they did not have a permit to protest and the police deemed what they were doing was unlawful. Some of the protestors were wearing ski masks, others had saftey goggles and hard hats.
The protestors are asking "the "affinity groups" to protest Friday morning at companies that it says represent greed, exploitation, warfare and other social ills, with potential targets including banks, Starbucks, McDonald's, grocery stores and a Marine Corps recruiting center." Meaning that the groups are being asked to show non-violent demonstrations to company's with high resales and propogandas.
The G-20 conference, which is "causing" all the commotion is otherwise known as Group 20. (2). This is comprised of 20 nations who met a year ago when the world was facing a global financial colapse. They have formed a permanent counsel to help regulate global economy and to try to prevent any future global economic meltdowns.
Many nations in the G-20 conference have not made any strides in their own countries to fix their economic issues. America's Congress, as well, has not made much headway in this issue, with being bogged down with Health Care Reform and other issues.
(1). http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33017820/ns/us_news-life/
(2). http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32987868/
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
California "Medical Marijuana Dispensaries" seems to have business issues
I was looking at one of my favorite websites for legal stories, http://www.findlaw.com/ and came across a story of interest. "San Diego Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Shut Down" written by Caleb Groos. (1) This article stated that the reason for shutting down several of these dispensaries was due to the business not being set up correctly per the California's Guidelines for the Security and Non-Diversion of Marijuana Grown for Medical Use.
The businesses that were shut down and the owners arrested we supposedly set up for profit which violates the Guidelines from teh Attorney General's office, which state that only the businesses operating as cooperatives or collectives are allowed to function under the California State Law. (2) "This is important because "cooperatively" here means not simply working together, but rather being organized as a specific type of legal business entity - a cooperative, which by definition cannot operate for its own or its members' profit." (Caleb Groos) The term "Collectives" apparently is not clearly defined under the California State law, but should be set up as jointly owned and operated by the members for the members, not to be sold to anyone outside the members.
The original article from the San Diego Tribune stated tha the store fronts that were targeted wer run by drug dealers out to make a profit, which is illegal per the Guidelines. (3) Several of the people arrested in the raids had prior drug arrest charges. Due to the way some of the drug busts were handled brought about some negative feedback from the medical marijuana advocates, stating that the whole situation could have been handled differently.
Per the California Guidelines the Statutory Cooperatieves for the distribution of medical marijuana, "the cooperative must file articles of incorporation iwth the state and conduct its business for the mutual benefit of its members." The Guideline state taht the membership must be suet up in accordance to the Coproration or Food and Agricultural Code (Id. at §12311(b).) The cooperative is to be set up for the patrons by members and not to collect a profit from the use of medical marijuana sales. "The earnings and savings of the business must be used for the genral welfare of its members or equitably distributed to members in the form of cash, property, credits, or services. Cooperatives should not purchase marijuana from, or sell to, non-members;
instead, they should only provide a means for facilitating or coordinating transactions between members." (2)
(1). (http://blogs.findlaw.com/blotter/2009/09/san-diego-medical-marijuana-dispensaries-shut-down.html?=features)
(2). (http://ag.ca.gov/cms_attachments/press/pdfs/n1601_medicalmarijuanaguidelines.pdf)
(3). (http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/sep/11/14-pot-dispensaries-county-shuttered/?metro&zIndex=163961)
The businesses that were shut down and the owners arrested we supposedly set up for profit which violates the Guidelines from teh Attorney General's office, which state that only the businesses operating as cooperatives or collectives are allowed to function under the California State Law. (2) "This is important because "cooperatively" here means not simply working together, but rather being organized as a specific type of legal business entity - a cooperative, which by definition cannot operate for its own or its members' profit." (Caleb Groos) The term "Collectives" apparently is not clearly defined under the California State law, but should be set up as jointly owned and operated by the members for the members, not to be sold to anyone outside the members.
The original article from the San Diego Tribune stated tha the store fronts that were targeted wer run by drug dealers out to make a profit, which is illegal per the Guidelines. (3) Several of the people arrested in the raids had prior drug arrest charges. Due to the way some of the drug busts were handled brought about some negative feedback from the medical marijuana advocates, stating that the whole situation could have been handled differently.
Per the California Guidelines the Statutory Cooperatieves for the distribution of medical marijuana, "the cooperative must file articles of incorporation iwth the state and conduct its business for the mutual benefit of its members." The Guideline state taht the membership must be suet up in accordance to the Coproration or Food and Agricultural Code (Id. at §12311(b).) The cooperative is to be set up for the patrons by members and not to collect a profit from the use of medical marijuana sales. "The earnings and savings of the business must be used for the genral welfare of its members or equitably distributed to members in the form of cash, property, credits, or services. Cooperatives should not purchase marijuana from, or sell to, non-members;
instead, they should only provide a means for facilitating or coordinating transactions between members." (2)
(1). (http://blogs.findlaw.com/blotter/2009/09/san-diego-medical-marijuana-dispensaries-shut-down.html?=features)
(2). (http://ag.ca.gov/cms_attachments/press/pdfs/n1601_medicalmarijuanaguidelines.pdf)
(3). (http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/sep/11/14-pot-dispensaries-county-shuttered/?metro&zIndex=163961)
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