Where to Find Cheap College Textbooks

There are many expenses related to attending college.  Depending on the type of university a person is attending, whether private or public, it can cost more than $100,000 to attend a four-year institution.  Lucky students have financial aid and scholarships to aid in funding their education, but many have to pay out of pocket for everything.  This is one of the reasons cutting costs whenever possible is important.  One of the easiest ways to cut your expenses is to purchase cheap college textbooks. 

Why Purchase Cheap Textbooks?

For a first time student, the cost of textbooks can be overwhelming.  Costs vary greatly depending on the size and subject matter of the textbook.  Most students will take at least four classes each term, and with textbooks costing more than $200 apiece in some cases, the total cost can be more than what you have budgeted.  Some courses require more than one textbook, and unfortunately not being able to afford the books causes many students to fall behind.  In any case, the high prices at your college bookstore will have you wishing you had saved more. 

Some students choose to share textbooks with a classmate or not purchase them at all.  While that choice might sound great when confronted with a bill for a new textbook, it’s always best to have your own copy.  Luckily, there are many ways to purchase college textbooks cheap.  You just have to know what to look for, what to be aware of, and where to find them.

Where To Purchase Cheap College Textbooks

There are many places to buy cheap college textbooks both online and in local stores.  The first place to look for a cheap used college textbook is in the university bookstore.  Many colleges offer a buyback program where students can sell their used textbooks back to the school.  These used textbooks are then sold to the next group of students taking that class for a reduced price.  The only problem with this is that not all books are accepted in the buyback program, and the prices are still high compared to some places you can purchase cheap college textbooks. 

www.campusbooks.com – One of the best places online to find information on really cheap college textbooks is Campus Books.  Campus Books provides students with more than 8 million different books in their online inventory.  Campus Books is useful because the site allows college students to view the list price for a cheap used college textbook from several different retailers at one time.  This allows you to see if the book is new or used, is in good condition or bad, and the price.

www.barnesandnoble.com – Many people shop at Barnes and Noble for their leisurely reading, but Barnes and Noble also offers a wide selection of new and used college textbooks at a fraction of the price you’d find in the college bookstore.  Prices for used books are offered at up to 90% off the suggested retail price, and new books can be purchased for up to 30% off retail.

www.half.com – For those in the market for really cheap college textbooks, half.com is the best place to look.  Half.com is a division of eBay and works the same.  Half.com books are categorized based on their condition and come in a wide variety of prices. 

What To Look For When Purchasing Cheap Textbooks

Before making an online purchase of cheap college textbooks, attend the first class.  You may find that the instructor does not require you to purchase all the books.  Some classes have one main textbook and several optional books.  Many of these optional books can be shared among classmates, or the professor may have placed a copy in the school’s library on reserve. 

When purchasing college textbooks cheap, it’s important to make sure you are getting the right edition of the book.  Many publishers release a new edition every few years.  While the content is basically the same from one edition to the next, it’s best to get the most current edition when possible.  If the field is constantly changing, this is even more important.  Check with your on-campus bookstore, and get the ISBN so you don’t get the wrong one. 

Look for used copies over new copies.  New copies are great if you have the extra money to spend, but when it comes to cutting costs, the easiest way is to purchase used.  Most companies only accept used textbooks that have met basic requirements.  If a book has been severely damaged, it won’t be accepted for buyback.  Just remember when you purchase a used textbook that you might find a few pages that are missing or some highlighting on the pages. 

Buyer Beware

While sites like half.com are great for finding really cheap textbooks, these books come directly from the seller and don’t have to pass through any inspection before being sold.  The descriptions of the book and its condition are based on information provided by the seller.  You might find a book described as like new only to receive a battered copy with pages missing.  If this happens, the only thing you can do is file a complaint with half.com.

As mentioned above, it’s important to get a copy of the most recent edition when purchasing college textbooks cheap.  In many cases online companies that sell reduced cost college textbooks will put all editions of one book into the same category.  As the buyer, a student may have to sort through several pages of books before they find the correct edition for their course. 

Finally, be aware of prices that seem too good to be true.  This is especially important when buying the textbook sight unseen, as some companies are not as reputable as others.  It’s common to find an older version or even the wrong textbook sent in place of the book you thought you ordered.  Be sure to keep all correspondence between you and the seller.

Purchasing textbooks for your college course is expensive, but unless you want to miss out on the information they provide, textbooks are a necessary evil.  Whether you purchase from one of the online vendors or buy a used version from your university bookstore, the money you save will make finding these cheaper versions worth your time.