I got a bit pissed that this for one course. Wasn't the professor's fault, but rather the school.
(in 2011) University tells incoming students they must check the book list for their course and get books before classes start. Books are expensive.
First day of class - professor gives everyone a PDF of the physics book I just spend $200 on. Says, "the university requires that I list at least one book for the course and they can't communicate with the students beforehand.
Never bought books before the first day of class again.
I've seen similar things, with the reasoning being less "the university requires the professor to list at least one required text" (this one would be easy to sidestep: just require a cheap or free one and then use another) and more "the texts listed are required will be sold to students at a discount, so students can only profit from this... as long as they are in the know".
(in 2011) University tells incoming students they must check the book list for their course and get books before classes start. Books are expensive.
First day of class - professor gives everyone a PDF of the physics book I just spend $200 on. Says, "the university requires that I list at least one book for the course and they can't communicate with the students beforehand.
Never bought books before the first day of class again.