Frugal Textbook Buying Tips
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Classes start next week for me and it is time to get everything in order for the new school year. Textbooks make up a major portion of the expenses of school. Spending $500 on textbooks is considered normal. I look at that number and it makes me sick at the prices that publishing companies make us pay. Therefore, I do many things to save some money on books.
Make Sure You Actually Need The Books
Sometimes, a course may ask that you must purchase a certain textbook but the professor doesn’t actually use it. Or, the information in a book may not hinder your chances of getting the A. This happened to me once before and I’ve learned. It is really annoying when you buy a book and find that you barely even used it. To prevent this, you should:
- Confirm with your professor and ask if older editions can be used.
- Check teacher/course reviews. (For example: RateMyProfessor.com)
- Ask previous students if they think you would need a book. (Make sure it is the same professor and that the student didn’t get a bad grade). You can also learn tips from the students on how to do well in the course.
Hand-Me-Downs And Borrowing
Many students or graduates just leave their books somewhere after they are done with them. They do not think of selling them (they probably don’t even remember they have them). Or maybe you are good friends with previous students. Kindly ask if you could have a book or borrow it for the semester. There are plenty of nice people in college. I have a very good friend who was kind enough to let me have her books. I borrowed about 6 books from another good friend for a course and saved close to $200.
- Keep these books in good condition. You will need to return them, sell them, or pass it on to another student.
Look Around College Buildings For “Books for Sale” Flyers
So many students disregard the walls plastered with sheets of papers that other students put up to sell their used books. This is one of the best places to find books for sale. You can “shop” around for the best prices, bundle with other books for a lower price, or negotiate. There are no shipping fees and you get to see the book before you buy. Important tips:
- List the books for sale with edition, price, and contact information as you find them for sale. Compare them for the lowest price.
- Jump on the transaction! Do not wait to buy because someone next to you might be looking for the same books.
- Negotiate for a lower price. A few dollars will not be a big deal for these students. You must remember that these books are worth nothing to them because they will no longer need them. They’ll take anything close to what they expected.
Split Costs And Share With Friends
If you and a friend are taking the same courses, why pay for two sets of the same books? Just buy one set and share them. Both parties save money. Set up a system for using the books to study.
Amazon.com
Not much to say here. Buying here should be a standard procedure for any college student. But I must warn:
- Make sure you have the right edition/version of a text.
- Remember to calculate shipping.
The school bookstore should be the last place you look to buy books. You go there only to buy what you cannot find anywhere else.
Using these tips should help a student save thousands over the course of four years. So far, I haven’t spent a single penny on textbooks for this coming semester!
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12 Comments on this post
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Chris Moran said:
Nice writing style. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Chris Moran
August 23rd, 2008 at 4:46 pm -
Big Winner said:
Checking out required books from the library is a great option. It may be harder to find textbooks there, but it’s great for getting novels for English or History classes, and occasionally classic management books for business classes.
August 23rd, 2008 at 4:49 pm -
Peter Quinn said:
Hi. I am a long time reader. I wanted to say that I like your blog and the layout.
Peter Quinn
August 23rd, 2008 at 4:59 pm -
Evan said:
Ever heard of a site called Bigwords.com?? I’ve been using it for a while now and have found it to be the best possible source for online textbook buying for sure!! The reason I think they’re the best is that they compare many items at once, and calculate the best combination of stores to buy at, including coupons and shipping. They also let you include or exclude international editions, and they let you choose the ship time and then calculate the lowest price using the right shipping type at every store. It’s awesome check it out for your self!
August 25th, 2008 at 8:15 pm -
Pat said:
Good information, thanks. I would like to add a useful website along with the big words one: http://www.cheap-textbooks.co.nr
August 26th, 2008 at 12:26 am -
Brandon said:
When buying a your books, using a price comparison site is the best way to make sure you are getting the best price. I have found CampusBooks.com to be the best one as it compares prices on new an used books in addition to book rental and e-book sites.
When the semester is over, sell your books back for the highest price by using BookScouter.com to compare buyback prices and make sure you sell it back to a company for the highestpossible price.
In most cases, if you find a great deal on a used book, keep it in good condition, and then sell it back for the highest amount, you can spend under $50 a semester for books.
August 30th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
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