Tired of the extra $800 you pay every year for college textbooks? Even if your professor does not send out textbook information before the term begins, you have options to find course book lists in enough time to look for a better deal online. You can always email the professor, but as soon as she submits her course list to the bookstore, most college bookstores will post that list online. They hope that people will pre-order texts (giving the bookstore a better handle on inventory), but it gives you just enough information to find the books yourself. Be sure to order your books a few weeks before the semester starts. Shipping times are standard in the business: 21 days max, but usually sellers will send books out immediately and they arrive within a week.
While you probably don’t want to buy textbooks that are marked up, don’t rule out buying used on-line. Frequently you can find brand new books listed as “like new” in the used section! The on-line used cost is significantly discounted from the standard 25% discount the school bookstore will offer you.
Once you have your textbook list, check out these resources:
BOOKFINDER (www.bookfinder.com)
The first place you should look. The interface isn’t pretty, but it’s easy to use and if you know the ISBN you can click advanced search and find your book quickly. If the book is online, Bookfinder will find it! They always list both new and used prices, including s/h charges and search the major online resources (Amazon, Halfprice, etc) and independent retailers or consortiums (ABE.books, etc.). The major drawback is that listers are not required to put the condition of the books — sometimes you have to weed through a lot of them without knowing what the individual seller’s policies are. However, I have never been even slightly unhappy with a book I ordered via their site. VERDICT: If you have time, you can find the best prices here.
AMAZON (www.amazon.com)
The standard source for many discounted books, you can often find new course books (particularly for literature and history classes) cheaper than a used copy at your school bookstore. If you purchase used, a few caveats: first, buyers with a feedback rating of 98% are generally reliable but read the listing carefully; second, only buy books that are listed in “like new” or “very good” condition; third, if you return 5 books over the course of your lifetime (regardless of whether the seller misrepresented them), Amazon will freeze your account; fourth, shipping times are within 21 days, but the actual shipping time depends on the seller’s efficiency. These policies make Amazon a great, quick resource, but not necessarily the most reliable one. VERDICT: If you’re only interested in new books, your only stop. If you prefer used, buy carefully but fairly confidently.
COURSE SMART (www.coursesmart.com)
Run by a group of major textbooks makers, this new site experiments with the future of textbooks: online, rental access. Instead of purchasing a hardcopy of the text, students can download or view the text online. There are a number of options: renting the “eTextbook” (which you can then only view online) for about 50% off the retail price, downloading the entire textbook for about 75% of the retail price or purchasing chapter by chapter. For Science books supplements (like answer keys or workbooks), this might provide students with a convenient option. However, the booklist is weak (focusing mostly on hard sciences) and they currently (Fall, 2007) have only one literature textbook; their writing handbook selection is more comprehensive, but barely. VERDICT: Consider your familiarity with computers and how much you will need the book in class before buying.
