Contrary to popular belief, spending money for college doesn’t stop with the tuition bill. One of the biggest college expenditures for students is textbooks. Many students spend $400 or more per semester on books. Don’t be one of them. Follow these tips to become a savvy shopper and save big.
The Early Bird Catches the Worm:
No matter how you choose to buy your books, make sure you start early to get the best deals. The competition for cheap books is fierce, and shipping time must be taken into account. In addition, buying your books early allows you the opportunity to browse class materials before the semester starts.
Things to Do Before You Buy:
Create a list of the books you will need:
· Your professors are required to post a list of books needed for class well in advance of the start of the semester.
· How you find that list will vary based on the college you attend. Some colleges have this information posted online, while other colleges will keep that information at the campus bookstore. If you cannot find the list of books needed for a class, email your professor right away!
Ask your Professors:
- Send an email or speak with your instructor to see if older editions of books will do.
- Find out what books are absolutely necessary, and which, if an, are optional.
Check the Syllabus (if available):
- Some books that a professor assigns have very few readings required for the class. See if these books are on reserve at the library, if you can borrow them from a friend or share them with a classmate.
- Some professors will assign reading packets that contain journals and book chapters from various authors. Reading packets are typically sold exclusively at the campus bookstore or a private bookstore close to campus. These packets can be very expensive, so try to find a friend in your class who would want to split the cost with you and share a packet.
Talk to friends and classmates who have taken your classes:
- See if they will give you a discount on books they have not sold. If you offer a higher price than the bookstore’s buy back, but lower than the used price, both of you will benefit.
- Use online networking sites like Facebook to get in contact with your peers.
Check out your library:
- Your library may allow you to check out your books for several months so you won’t have to buy them.
- Other books may have been put on reserve by your professor – you can check these books out for a few hours or read them at the library.
- Public libraries may also have the books you need available for check out. There will be less competition at these libraries.
Alternative Purchasing Locations:
BUY ONLINE:
- Online bookstores usually sell the books you need at prices well below those of campus bookstores.
- Check out eBay, Half.com, Amazon.com and other online booksellers.
- Always compare prices between sites. Watch out for shipping and handling costs.
- Write down everything (an ISBN will guarantee you the right edition) to make sure you are finding the right book and edition required by the professor.
- Online networks like Facebook and Myspace are great places to connect with your classmates in order to find books.
College resources:
- Some colleges offer online bookswaps between college students.
- Raffles or other textbook giveaways are sometimes conducted by your college.
Buy international:
- International bookstores and non US-editions of books can save you big money
If you buy from your bookstore:
BUY USED! Used books are drastically cheaper than new copies. If you buy used, you save an average of 25%. Get to the bookstore early, as used books sell out quickly!
Check Deadlines:
- Buy your books early even if you expect to get them from other resources, this way you will get the best deals on those you cannot find at another source.
- The bookstore may have a return period, you may be able to buy a book for the first few weeks of class, use it lightly (no markings, etc) and than return it for full price within the period. If you buy a book with plastic wrapping on it, you cannot return it once the wrapping has been removed.
- Your bookstore will have a strict return policy, so follow the policy carefully if you think you may return your book.
At the End of the Semester:
Sell your books back:
· Talk to friends to see who may be taking your classes in the future, or take your chances that someone will want to buy books next semester. You will probably get more money back for your book.
· The bookstore can give you up to 50% of the original price when the buy the book back. Every time a book is bought used and then sold back to the bookstore, it loses its value and you will receive less when you sell the book back. If a professor is not offering the class for the next semester, the bookstore may not buy it back. Also, be prepared for long lines of students selling back books at the end of the semester.
· There may be private bookstores located near your campus that will buy your books for more than the campus bookstore.
Helpful Links:
Online Purchasing:
www.amazon.com
www.ebay.com
www.campusbookswap.com
www.Half.com
http://www.smartbookfinder.com/
· This site allows you to compare book prices from a variety of online bookstores.
Other Resources:
www.maketextbooksaffordable.org
- A student public interest group coalition advocating to make textbooks affordable.
Free Online Books:
- These sites are adding books to their catalog daily
- See if your books are online at:
Good Luck!
