Re: textbook prices

["Rauber, Joel Phys" <RAUBERJ@mg.sdstate.edu>]

Dan,
As part of your concern I would include the lower quality of the books.  I 
mean here the physical quality.  In this respect the product is worse than 
before.  I have books from the sixties that are in better condition than 
books I bought two years ago.  Lower quality covers and lack of sewn in 
bindings.  Glued bindings often break even in the middle of a first 
semesters use of the book.
Joel
 ----------
From: DSCHROEDER
To: QuistO; RAUBERJ; phys-l
Subject: Re: textbook prices
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 1998 7:42AM

> And I bought a Volkswagen convertible in 1969 for $2399.
> --
> Martha

Good point.  The U.S. Consumer price index has increased by a factor
of 3.4 since then, but even in 1998 dollars, the price you paid is
barely over $8000.  In the case of cars, though, I think a good case
could be made that the product is much better (hence more complicated
and more expensive to make) today than in 1969.  In the case of
upper-division physics textbooks, the product may also be better,
but only because of the work of the authors (who don't get paid
much).  There don't seem to be any improvements in production or
other good reasons for publishers to raise prices.  Nevertheless,
textbook prices have increased much faster than the cost of living.

 -dan
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