any advice on finding cheaper text books?

[disney_5]

I found a text book i would like to read but amazon has it for $100 to $150. Any other sites to check to find it cheaper? Do any overdrive libraries cary ebook versions of text books (like the Philadelphia library?) I would rather own the book but can't believe how expensive it is.

Jen

 

[Debbie Jean]

I found a text book i would like to read but amazon has it for $100 to $150. Any other sites to check to find it cheaper? Do any overdrive libraries cary ebook versions of text books (like the Philadelphia library?) I would rather own the book but can't believe how expensive it is.

Jen

Textbooks are a major investment for students. I tell my students that they cannot pass the course unless they have access to the textbook. Since they are so expensive I try to offer alternatives. Check www.textbooks.com or www.campusbooks.com to see whether it's available used or for rent. I don't know of any libraries offering textbooks as free ebooks... though you can purchase the etextbook from either of the sites I mentioned.

 

[pink5683]

When I was in college, I often found good deals on textbooks on half.com

 

[MSSANDRA]

My son rents most of his from Chegg. He can get about 95% of his from here. He has also used textbooks.com and amazon. He had to buy one from the college book store this semester and it cost more than all his other ones combined

 

[reginaastralis]

I have a few professors who have told us they are ok with older versions of the text book ... the only issue with this, you don't know until class is in session if they are going to be ok with it or not. While that isn't a huge issue (I get my books from chegg within three days usually) this semester chegg sent me the wrong book. It took about a week to get the correct book in, which again, wasn't a HUGE issue, but it did put me back on my reading.

With that being said, I bought the older version of my textbook last semester for $6, and this semester rented it for $10. It is obviously, much cheaper, but I was lucky to have a professor who didn't mind.

Buying from amazon or half.com is another way to go as well. During the year, I do swagbucks and earn amazon gift cards, so I don't have to pay for my books completely out of pocket. That might be something to look into.

 

[js]

Thank you for this thread. My dd will be starting college in PA in the Fall and is very use to having her own textbooks and highlighting in them.
I have asked her if she would like a Kindle in the past and she said she rather the feel of the book and it is easier for her to study (this is for when she needs to read "regular" books but she still highlights and writes notes).
I figured when she is in college she may not be able to have the luxury of having a new textbook where she can highlight and make notes but perhaps if I can find a used one without too much writing in it, it may work.

 

[reginaastralis]

Another thing I was thinking about. There is a girl in my literature class who is borrowing our book from the public library. I don't know how common it is to be able to find a textbook, but this isn't really a text book, it's a collection of short stories/poems. Anyways, I know the rules down here might be different, but you rent a book for two weeks and are only able to renew if no one else has a hold on the book. So, for a 16 week course, there are eight times she'll have to apply to renew for the book. I think it borders on rude if she just keeps it out late to pay a late fee, which of course would be cheaper than the original cost of the book, but that's just my opinion on the subject.

 

[englishteacha]

I made it through grad school getting most of my textbooks through interlibrary loan. I'd give the title/author or ISBN to the librarian and she'd put in a request that went nationwide. I borrowed books from colleges all over the country. I couldn't write in them, of course, but my wonderful husband and Santa kept me well stocked with sticky notes. The few times I needed to buy a book I bought it used through an Amazon seller or Half.com.

 

[disneymom06]

I use bookfinders4u.com Best way is to input the ISBN and they search sites for the best price. It lists all that it has found.

Another method is just google the ISBN # and see what comes up.

 

[GottaLuvMickey]

CollegeBookRenter.com is a great site to use! I've been using them for the last year.

Use promo code CBR881000 at checkout and you should also get $5 off of your first order with them.

They also buy books back and I've noticed I get a higher dollar amount than I do at my campus bookstore.

 

[sammielynn]

Text books are a huge expense for students. With more classes offering online content you must be careful about what books you buy from where. I teach an online course, the required textbook has an access code for the online content. IF you get the wrong access code type you will not be able to get into the correct online content. Once you try the code and find out you got the wrong code type when you purchased the book online you are out of luck. The codes are one use only and you can't get a refund. The publisher I use did help out three of my students that bought the right book with the wrong code type but only because I ask for the codes. They would not give them to the students. Bottom line, be careful when you buy textbooks from someplace besides the college bookstore, it could cost you more if you get the wrong book.

 

[pookybean]

I use Chegg as well and save tons. if there is a previous edition (which usually isnt much different than the new one) you can buy rather than rent for a great price.

also, if your an alumni of a university you can often utilize their library.

saw you mentioned the philadelphia library, i live in the northeast and had a hard time finding the novels i needed for a lit class....

 

[mossy1]

As others have mentioned Amazon and Half.com are great resources. I have also found some locals that put their books on Craigslist or even Ebay. Also don't forget to check campus bulletin boards (yes people still use such things...lol) you can often find a great cash and carry deal from them. Also networking with other students in the same major is a good idea as well since more than likely the class you are taking in the spring someone else has had in the fall and is looking to sell the book. This also works in reverse if you have already taken the class and need to sell the book. Best of luck!!!

 

[TrueLove's1stKiss]

I bought used from Amazon! Was about a third of the price of used from my school!

 

[Pigeon]

also, if your an alumni of a university you can often utilize their library.

saw you mentioned the philadelphia library, i live in the northeast and had a hard time finding the novels i needed for a lit class....

I'm a university librarian. Most academic libraries do NOT buy textbooks. That's not our mission, and we don't have the budget for it. You may find the occasional odd textbook in the library, which will usually be an older edition received as a gift, but please don't assume the library will have your books. We do not do interlibrary loan for textbooks because there is a very low fill rate, with very short loan periods.

If it's a class with a lot of required reading, you may find some literature available in the library. But please be aware that most libraries have a recall system. So, in our case, if you check out a book that's required reading, your classmate can recall the book and you have two weeks to return it, or you will get seriously large fines.