Buying textbooks online can save up to 50% or more compared to campus bookstores. New online retailers and specialty stores offer lower prices, while auction sites and second-hand dealers can offer better deals. Renting textbooks is also an option. Use the ISBN to ensure the correct edition and check for shipping discounts.
It is absolutely possible to buy textbooks online, and often much more cost-effectively than using a campus bookstore. Used and new books can be easily found in stores and online auctions. With a little comparison shopping, you can often save 50% or more on textbooks.
New online textbook retailers can often offer lower prices than campus bookstores. Specialty stores that sell only textbooks can order in bulk and sell books at a discount. Other online retailers carry a wide variety of items, but often offer shipping deals that may justify a few extra dollars per book. Look for advertised free shipping special offers to get the best deals.
It’s easy to find textbooks online at auction sites or second-hand dealers. Half.com is one of the more famous sites, but sometimes specialty stores can offer better prices. As auction sites have continuous inventory changes with multiple users, there is no guarantee that the best price today will be the best price tomorrow.
The advantage of these specialist used book sellers is that many of them will also buy back books that have been purchased. Campus bookstores often offer this service as well, so it’s a good idea to see who will give you the best price for unwanted books at the end of the semester. This small addition can help buy books for the following semester or provide the little cash infusion needed at the end of the school year.
Another option for finding textbooks online is to rent them. This service started in the early 2000’s and has been growing steadily. Some websites offer prices that can save you up to 85% of the cost of textbooks. For those who don’t want to go through the trouble of buying and selling books back, this alternative can offer similar value for money.
When buying textbooks online, there are a few things to keep in mind. Especially when using used bookstores, use the ISBN (International Standard Book Number) to ensure they are the correct edition, as information changes between editions. Be careful with literature books, as sometimes professors want specific referrals or comments in the edition they request. If this is the case, the edit will usually be noted on the syllabus. When researching textbook prices online, consider shipping before purchase, as some stores offer significant discounts that can make them cheaper even if book prices are higher.
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