Is it legal for college bookstores to overcharge students on required supplies?
Is this just business or is it illegal? In the course I am taking, we are required to purchase certain supplies for the course, uniforms, medical supplies, etc. We are required to have these items.
The vendor, a medical supply store, is one mile from the campus. The medical supply store is open to the public and these exact same supplies or 40-50% cheaper in the store than on campus.
The college bookstore handles all financial aid transactions and also all cash transactions for the books, supplies, uniforms, etc for the campus. The bookstore officials sent out an email saying that if the medical supply store allowed cash paying students to purchase their supplies at the store, the medical supply store would be dropped as an approved vendor.
How can this be legal? No contract was signed between the store and the bookstore/college. All students are required to purchase these required items from the bookstore. This purchase is made at a 40-50% increase.
Does this not fall under some type of monopoly law or price discrimination law?
Next thing, they will say that I cannot go to Walmart to purchase my pen and paper.
Is this legal or just business?
September 26th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Just business.
Except for textbooks, everything can be bought cheaper at Staples, Walmart etc. You’re paying for the convenience. REALLY paying.
Sorry for the bad news. Helpful Answers
September 27th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
This sort of thing happens quite often, unfortunately. Selling at a high markup is legal, but trying to restrain trade might NOT be. I would call the state’s attorney general and see if they will talk to you. Anna P
September 30th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
It’s legal to overcharge. I suggest you do your shopping elsewhere, when it’s possible. Check out sites like eBay or Amazon to get your supplies. I don’t think it’s legal to tell people where to shop. stephe1987