Fairfield University introduced Red Stack Direct this semester, a new method for students to receive textbooks. The school has said this option is both faster and quicker.
According to the Red Stack website, “Red Stack Direct is an affordable textbook rental program providing students with course materials at a fixed rate of $24 per credit and by the first day of class.”
I was going to opt out of this program, because I rarely ever need textbooks for my classes, and if I do, it’s pretty easy to find a cheap version online. However, this year, one of my classes required the textbook as there is a code inside that is needed to join class online.
When I went to try and purchase the textbook, I received an error message.
It read,“These course materials are included as part of your Red Stack Direct program. Please visit the homepage to learn more.”
I found this odd, as I had not opted into Red Stack, and my professor had specifically asked that we get the book new from the bookstore, since the code in the book had to be updated. Essentially, going to a second hand site to get the book was not an option.
However, I needed to take this course. So I adjusted some finances around and opted into Red Stack on September 3 to receive this book, thinking they would arrive within a week or two, but there has been no word since.
My professor emphasized the importance of this code as most of the class is centered on a third party website, but there was nothing I could do. I contacted everyone I possibly could to try and get a temporary code, and no one was able to help. Now I have to cough up $75 for a temporary code- on top of the $400 I had to spend on Red Stack for enabling, all for one required textbook.
It seems other students are running into issues with this system as well.
“It’s horrible,” said Mary Rado ‘26, “The books were supposed to arrive the first day of classes and mine haven’t shown up. It was broadcasted as an easier option, but so far it’s only been difficult.”
Junior Caroline Hart agreed adding, “It’s not just the physical books. Mine came on time, but now my virtual books are not opening. It’s too confusing.”
Several students on Fizz have voiced their complaints about the system.
“Red Stack Direct is a scam!!!” One user complained. That post has received over 1,600 upvotes.
Another student posted the same comment and received over 700 upvotes.
“Ikr and it’s impossible to buy stuff from the bookstore without it,” a student commented.
On the other hand, some students had no difficulty opting out of the service.
“I didn’t have many books to buy so I just opted out of it to save money,” said Madison Governale ‘26, “Why would I pay for the entire service when most of my books were available online?”
The issues with the service seem to be with both virtual and physical books. Many students’ physical books have not arrived or if they ordered virtual books, they are struggling to open them.
If I didn’t need to buy a hardcover, brand new textbook, I never would have used this service and could have found other books I needed online or at least used a second-hand service.
Ultimately, it seems like Red Stack should have worked through some kinks in its system before offering it to students.
