Best place to buy college textbooks?

[happily single]

I just registered for some college classes which begin Monday Well I looked into the books and they are super expensive. For example, I have to take an "Intro to Computers" class. The stupid book is $89.25 USED

I know there is a reputable on-line bookstore, but can't remember the name of it. Can anyone help me out?

 

[DisMomme]

I just got my books from Amazon and Better World Books. Both came exactly as described and on time and were 1/2 the price of the College Bookstore.

A couple of my books were offered in a download form for considerably less money. If you don;t mind not having a hard copy this may be a good option. Especially since the download is instant and your class starts Monday.

 

[blessedby3]

For the past 2 years we have gotten all my dd's books from either www.textbooks.com or www.campusbookrentals.com
They even will buy books back. I just sold 4 books back and made $105.00 from the ones she finished using Spring semester. We rent some and purchase some used (and sell those back).

 

[marie1203]

I compare prices between Amazon, half.com and textbooks.com.

 

[ssawka]

When I was working on my Master's, I would buy used copies on Amazon and at the end of the semester sell them back on Amazon. Never spent more than $10 or so to use the book for the semester.

 

[NYEmomma]

I've always used half.com to buy AND sell books.

I get a great price on them (and you can pick the condition... I'm willing to pay a little more for "like new" or "very good" because I don't like my books all marked up) and always get a really good price on them when I sell them. I typically sell them after the semester's over for almost as much as I bought them for.

 

[bridget]

I like textbooks.com and barnesandnoble.com

Barnes and Noble has used books also.

I'm a doctorate student, and this summer, 3 of my books are brand, brand new (just published in April or May). I have to have the current version, which stinks, because there are no used books.

 

[DisneyForLife]

I've always used half.com to buy AND sell books.

I get a great price on them (and you can pick the condition... I'm willing to pay a little more for "like new" or "very good" because I don't like my books all marked up) and always get a really good price on them when I sell them. I typically sell them after the semester's over for almost as much as I bought them for.

Ditto this, very easy to buy and sell and I have never had a problem in 6 years.

 

[Fyrefly]

My university has a store called www.Bookholders.com nearby. It's basically a consignment shop where students give them the books, manage the price online themselves, then get a hefty chunk of the sell price. Usually stuff is the lowest there for me.

One tip also is always make sure you search books by the ISBN. Especially for something like a technical textbook. History doesn't change from year to year, and neither does math, but the wrong math book is far more likely to have different problems in it when your professor assigns homework out of it! So I wouldn't recommend doing an international or an older edition to save $.

Also technical books are always more expensive. I hate to say it, but if you're going to be doing this a while you may want to just expect it and set a little extra aside in savings if possible. As an undergrad engineering student I had total book bills in excess over $400 or $500 a semester sometimes - used! So pretty much any time now I get a book for $60 or less I'm excited, and I have leftover book money!