The prices on college textbooks are rising just like fast as tuition costs.
For just one course, a student may spend over $200 on required resources, yet only use it for just one semester.
But because many courses don't require students to have a new copy from the text, students' preference for cost-efficient alternatives has provided rise to the growing market for used college textbooks.
This increased demand has motivated many book suppliers to provide used textbook and rental services, leaving college students with an array of options
How to locate Cheap Textbooks
Visit College Bookstores
Most university bookstores sell used and new textbooks, along with providing semester-long rental services.
Renting a textbook in the bookstore is the cheapest option, but because with any rented or borrowed textbook, students don't have the option of writing in the margin or taking notes.
The used textbooks are in good or like-new condition, therefore the prices on used books might be higher than elsewhere.
Additionally, students who've just completed a course and have a textbook in good condition can sell the textbook to the bookstore and receive compensation to place towards next semester's textbooks.
Check The College Libraries
College library systems have several copies on most course textbooks. If borrowing in the library system, reserve the textbook before the start of the semester to make sure accessibility book.
Many college libraries are part of an inter-library system, so if the school does not have it, it can be requested from another college.
Use Social networking To Find Cheap College Textbooks
Social media sites, such as Facebook, offer various means of procuring textbooks.
In addition to Facebook's expanding Marketplace feature where users can purchase then sell components of their communities, students can enter their student current email address into their college's Facebook network and access various school-specific buy and sell groups for textbooks.
You may find the best prices at the end of the semester, when students recycle for cash their textbooks before they clean up and leave for break.
The prices vary from seller to seller, but are likely reduced price than used textbooks from bookstores.
The only caveat is that you make sure the edition a student may be selling is the one you will need.
Online Textbook Vendors
Online vendors like Amazon present an array of textbooks in various conditions and value ranges, with the option to buy and rent. Rentals would be the cheapest option that Amazon provides, however for students preferring to annotate their books, it is easy to find used textbooks onwith comparable prices for their rental fees.
Amazon enables you to rent for any semester and, with respect to the seller, additionally, it allows customers to return unsatisfactory used textbooks.
For any rented textbook, students have Thirty days to return. Additionally, Amazon provides a Kindle edition of many textbooks.
Chegg Books offers rental services much like Amazon's.
Both online vendors supply to 90% off on textbook rentals.
Chegg allows renters to highlight in their textbook, but refrain from writing, whereas Amazon specifies there could be no excessive writing or highlighting in the textbook upon return.
Chegg provides free shipping on orders over $50 and Amazon has free delivery for orders over $35.
Otherwise, their choice of textbooks and value ranges are comparable. Both companies also allow students to sell their used textbooks to the company.
College Textbook Formats Vary In Price
Textbook companies offer textbooks in various formats that are more cost efficient than bound, hardback textbooks.
Paperback textbooks are cheaper, but are a less common textbook format.
Loose-leaf editions are three-hole-punched so they can go in a binder, and therefore are often more than half the cost of bound editions.
Additionally, many companies offer digital versions of the publications that can be continue reading a tablet or computer, and therefore are often less expensive than loose-leaf editions. It is also vital that you consider whether a training course requires students to achieve the newest editions of textbooks, as older editions stop by price with time.
Resources To Price Compare College Textbooks
There are various free websites that allow students to enter the textbook's ISBN number and produce a listing of price comparisons from various online book vendors.
Keep in mind, however, that book comparison sites don’t often track every possible outlet through which you can find a book.
This is a great spot for students to begin their research. Textsurf.com offers both price comparison as well as price quotes for college students who are thinking about selling their old textbooks.
SluggBooks.com also offers this particular service, in addition to a feature that allows students to check prices of multiple books at the same time, as well as strategies for saving cash on online access code bundles.
Additional suggestions from people in our Affording university 101 Facebook group:
For purchasing college textbooks, check out Abe Books.
To make a price comparison for purchasing and renting, check out Book.ly.
Check the Gates Foundation Open Stax for access to free openly sourced college textbooks.
One parent within the group cautions,
“Double check with the professor the textbook is actually needed.
My daughter were built with a class or two in which the professor used online text, PowerPoint presentations, and handouts – just because it is listed for the class doesn't 100% mean they need it.”