If you know a bunch of people in class you could buy just one new edition for everyone to see version differences and to get its homework questions and then buy used ones for general learning.
“With high res cell phone cameras, I’m surprised that more students don’t just go into the bookstore and take pictures of every page... but then the bookstore would start keeping all the books in the backroom and only leave request cards on the shelves so you pay for it before you get the book. “
Actually if they see this happening the call the police and file charges for theft.
Where the price does not make any sense is when the class is studying something in the public domain. Why buy an edition of Plato or Wealth of Nations when you can read it online for free?