JACOB KONST/Arizona Daily Wildcat Two people check out the merchandise at the UofA Bookstore's new used CD section. Today marks its grand opening.

Bookstore debuts student-run used CD section

Students who want to make a little money at the UofA Bookstore will now have their chance.

Starting today, students can buy and sell used compact discs in a student-managed section of the bookstore.

Brannon Larson, a junior majoring in English and creative writing, will take charge of the used CD section, where students will be able to buy CDs for $6 to $8, and sell them for $3 to $4.

When Mojo Records failed to carry out the full term of its contract in the bookstore, there was an opening for a manager in the CD section. Larson, an avid book reader and music lover, began managing the new CD section six months ago, though he has worked in the bookstore for 2 1/2 years.

Before he started managing the CD section, Larson ordered general supplies, worked in electronics and provided help for customers in the bookstore.

Now he does all the ordering, sales tracking, stocking and managing for the CD section.

"I love music, and I always wanted to work in a music store," Larson said.

For that reason, Larson said he is excited to give students the opportunity to buy and sell their CDs on campus.

"You can sell your stuff to us and you can peruse through our used section," Larson said.

The $6 ÷ $8 used CDs may be a good price for students on low budgets looking for lots of music.

Grant Anderson, an undecided sophomore, liked the prices in comparison to the place he regularly shops for used CDs in California.

"That's a lot better than when I sell CDs for $5 and buy used CDs for $15 in California," Anderson said.

Jamie Kalland, an elementary education junior said he would consider purchasing used CDs, as long as the prices stay low.

"If they were cheap, I would buy them," Kalland said.

Amanda Lingner, an undecided freshman, said she liked the prospect of buying cheap CDs on campus.

"It will probably be good because you can get cheaper CDs ÷ what most college students are looking for," Lingner said.

The timing is just right, according to Estelle Hardy, a journalism junior.

"I think that it'll be used with the whole Kazaa thing going down right now," Hardy said, referring to the recent negative attention regarding free Internet music downloads.

"I think a lot of people are going to stop downloading music and burn more CDs," said Kevin Chinn, business economics senior. He sees the potential for people buying the low-priced used CDs, burning copies, and then selling the CDs back to the bookstore.

The bookstore directors still think the program will generate funds for the university.

"The money that comes back to the bookstore from sales then goes back to the campus, as well as buying more inventory," Debby Shively, associate director of the bookstore said.

Shively heard the idea for a used CD section at a trade meeting, where representatives from the University of Colorado, University of California at San Diego and Syracuse University all noted their successful used CD sales.

Bookstore director Frank Farias decided to try the new buyback program because the other bookstores have had profitable results.