For those buying college books

[ugadog99]

We just spent the afternoon checking all websites for prices. Once again, we have found that renting is most definitely the way to go. Prices from the bookstore would run about $765 for all her books. By price shopping on the rentals and using ebay for some of the special history books, we are saving a bundle! Right now, we will be using campusbookrentals, bookrenters, ebay, and a few from the bookstore. We are now looking at a total of around $447. I really encourage you all to look into renting! The one thing we found about valorebooks and their rental is that they charge for shipping per item. So, even if the initial price looks better than chegg, bookrenters, or campusbookrentals, the shipping is outlandish.

 

[pediatric-rnp]

If you rent, can you return the book once the semester starts if it isn't needed, and get a credit back? Having put one DS thru 4 yrs and the second DS returning this fall as a "5th year senior" (he changed majors , which put him a bit behind") , our experience has been that often the books on the list aren't used or needed. Also, sometimes the professors will change the book required when they meet with the class for the first time.

I sell their books on half.com, and most of the sales come in during the first 2 weeks of class. My sons both said that a lot of the professors recognize that the kids wait until class starts to purchase their books, and don't make a big deal of it if they don't have their book the first days of class. Most people pay the little extra for expediated shipping, so they get them quickly - I rarely get a request for media mail.

 

[My3kiddos]

Honestly I'm terrified of renting, because I'm afraid that I might spill something on the book or like this past year we had a house fire and some of our books were lost in the fire. I would have been screwed if I had rented the books. Most of my books I get a great price for selling to bookleberry (they aren't so great to buy from) so I'm usually out less money compared to renting.

 

[ajk912]

Honestly I'm terrified of renting, because I'm afraid that I might spill something on the book or like this past year we had a house fire and some of our books were lost in the fire. I would have been screwed if I had rented the books. Most of my books I get a great price for selling to bookleberry (they aren't so great to buy from) so I'm usually out less money compared to renting.

This is me as well. Plus, I am busy mom of 3, so whatever book I am studying gets carted wherever I am going that day. Sometimes my book is in good enough condition to sell back at the end of the semester, sometimes not (this semester, with my history book, splashes from the pool and beach sand did it in ).

I am looking at the international book route. Does anyone have any good links? Googling "buy international textbooks" doesn't come up with the plethora of results I would think. I see a few on ebay or half.com, but not a lot.

 

[My3kiddos]

This is me as well. Plus, I am busy mom of 3, so whatever book I am studying gets carted wherever I am going that day. Sometimes my book is in good enough condition to sell back at the end of the semester, sometimes not (this semester, with my history book, splashes from the pool and beach sand did it in ).

I am looking at the international book route. Does anyone have any good links? Googling "buy international textbooks" doesn't come up with the plethora of results I would think. I see a few on ebay or half.com, but not a lot.

I noticed alot of international versions on alibris. You can also find coupon codes for them too. And if you use mypoints you can get points.

 

[tommya60]

Be careful with the international editions...the homework problems are not always in the same order. If you are diligent and have a good friend in the class you can check this out, but you should be aware of the problem.

 

[ugadog99]

From campusbookrentals, you can highlight in the rentals. Honestly, if you don't totally trash the book, it's fine to rent. The rentals include free shipping to you and return. For the sites we use, if you don't end up needing the book, you can return for a refund within the first 30 days. If you need an extension on the rental period, that is fine, too. Most charge a small extra fee to keep the books, but campusbookrental has a 15 day grace period.