When I was in Bangalore this past weekend (more on my trip to London and India in a subsequent post), I was helping my cousin study for some Computer Science exams. She needed to get a textbook, so I went with her to a local computer bookstore. I’d been meaning to pick up a copy of the CLR Algorithms textbook for some time, so when I saw it on the shelf, I took a quick peek at the price. I was shocked to discover that the entire second edition book went for Rs. 350, which is about $7. Inclusive of all taxes. To put that in perspective, that book on amazon.com costs $105.81 plus taxes.
Of course, this makes perfect sense; there’s no way students in developing countries could possibly afford the insane prices publishers charge us in the West, so they sell them at discounted prices with a stern warning that sale of those books is prohibited outside of countries in the Indian subcontinent and most of Africa.
When I noticed the massive price differential, I could not help but pick up a few random books that seemed interesting and were priced insanely cheaply. With a little additional haggling, I secured a 20% discount over the already low prices; resulting in savings of more than $200 on the four books that I picked up at this store.
Of course this differential means that if I were in university now, I could simply book a ticket to India or Africa once a year, and just before I return home, buy all the textbooks that my classes for that year will require. The amount I could save is substantial: assuming a conservative $60/text, and 6 texts/semester, that gives us a around $700 for each year. That about pays for your airplane ticket (that’s how you get a “free” trip!) If you are the type who resells your book once you’re done with them, you can make an actual profit on top of the cost savings! (assuming the purchasers don’t mind the stern warnings.)
As well, if you pick up another set of textbooks for a friend, your profits/savings only increase. IANAL, so I have no idea how idea exactly what the Customs folks will have to say about this little operation. I assume doing this for yourself is probably kosher, but I think starting a business doing stuff like this would be a really bad idea.
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