Students like Morris are turning to textbook buying alternatives to try and save some money, and bookstores in Gainesville and throughout the state are taking notice.
 

 

Gator Texbooks Inc. manager, Doby Gray says, “Over the last few years we’ve seen the trends and students seem to be spending less money on textbooks, either because they’re buying them elsewhere or they prefer to buy used first.”
 

Morris agrees, “Oh, I always buy used, unless I absolutely have to buy new,there’s no way I would buy new if there’s a used version.”
 

According to  a survey conducted by the National Association of College Stores,student textbook spending has decreased by 7% over the past four years.
 

 

Management at the University of Florida bookstore say they have witnessed this decrease but it has helped spark consumer interest in cheap choices such as used and rental books, online ordering, and e-textbooks.

 

 

The University of Florida Bookstore reports that since 2009, students have saved $4 million off the price of new textbooks.

 

 

Managers say most of those savings can be attributed to the increased popularity of rentals.