Are you frustrated with your present textbook ordering system, and wondering if there’s an easier way to do things?
Chatting to multiple schools we know what it is like to start the year frustrated with the wrong textbooks arriving at the wrong times. Teachers and parents become frustrated. What a headache! At SchoolAdvisor, we are continuously looking for ways to help schools buy better and this week we ask if there’s a better way to order textbooks? We believe there is: bypass the traditional way you have bought before and get your parent body to buy directly online.
We know this will be a major change for most schools so we asked Chris Fouche of Van Schaik Bookstore what you should look for when buying online, as well as the benefits of an online parent textbook ordering system.
Chris says that an online parent textbook ordering system is the answer to the textbook-headache. By allowing parents to place orders online, schools can avoid the stress and irritation of waiting for textbooks to arrive on time. The responsibility also now sits with the parents, reducing the administrative burden on staff.
Chris shared some qualities that he believes such a system should have.
Chris’ guideline for an online parent textbook ordering system:
1) Easy for parents to use
2) Must get rid of admin for school staff, your textbook supplier should load your books online and fully manage the process with parents
3) Gives you variety – Service should be from a reputable company that handles all the major publishers
4) Offer ebooks and hardcopies
5) Reliable service – company behind the platform needs to be able to deliver
6) Stable, easy to use website
We at SchoolAdvisor are confident that we can ask Van Schaik Bookstore for input on buying textbooks online, as they already have over 14 reviews from schools and a great 4-star rating. They are, in fact, our most rated educational book supplier.
We asked Chris to tell us a little more about Van Schaik Bookstore: “Van Schaik Bookstore is one of the oldest bookstores in South Africa; reaching its 100-year milestone in 2014. We offer academic textbooks in electronic and print format, general books, study guides and reference material, lifestyle products, electronics and stationery. Van Schaik Bookstore also offers seasonal sales points, an online store and has a library division. We have more than 70 stores in Southern Africa. Van Schaik Bookstore has been awarded the Sefika Academic Bookseller of the Year awarded four years in a row from 2012 to 2015”.
Getting parents to buy textbooks online is a credible solution to one of the major headaches most schools face. If you are not doing it already we would recommend that you explore this option, it will make your life so much easier.
Online textbook review:
“The fact that parents pay online and can choose a delivery method reduces the administration for myself and my staff. The convenience of ordering online also facilitates the process and ensures that pupils have the necessary textbooks to start the academic year. I would also like to thank the management of Van Schaik Bookstore for always being willing to find the textbooks that we need even if it means that the books must be imported. I would recommend that all schools chose the route of ordering online.”
Get in touch and find out more about Van Schaik Bookstore:
View Van Schaik Bookstore’s listing on SchoolAdvisor
View Van Schaik Bookstore’s website
cfouche@vanschaik.com or +27 82 468 3373 to set up an appointment
schooladviso.wordpress.com 