Rising Textbooks Prices: 5 Simple Ways to Save Money by Allyson Cairns
Rising Textbooks Prices: 5 Simple Ways to Save Money Textbooks are not cheap -- the never have been, and never will be. Many students try to fight bookstores with protests and petitions, but let's be honest; the publishers have a monopoly on the industry and therefore have the power to inflate prices as they wish. Add in shipping costs and bookstore markup and before you know it you've spent over $1000 on books in a single year!!
As a naive first-year student I bought all of my books brand new (*gasp*) from the campus bookstore. I liked the idea of having brand new books, and figured the campus bookstore was the most convenient. Was I mistaken! Half of my books were on back-order; I spent an hour searching, and then 2 hours in line. By year two I had come to my senses. By the end of my degree I learned I could save over 50% on books by following these simple steps:
1. Buy used books! Yes, I can completely understand the irrational desire to have new books. I too had those thoughts at one point. But there are so many great used books out there, many in new condition for a fraction of the price.
Many bookstores offer book buy-back programs, but you will have to follow their strict regulations (Can you believe that some stores actually entice you to sell your book back just before the semester ends? Why would you paid $125 for a book that you won't have to study for your final?).
Your best bet is to search online. Websites such as
http://www.planetstudents.com provide free textbook registries to connect you directly with other students. No restrictions, no markups, no shipping fees ... just a database of cheap, used books.
2. Avoid the campus bookstoreHow To Buy College Textbooks CheapHow To Buy College Textbooks Cheap by Vicky SlaterThe main and most important idea to keep in mind for finding college textbooks cheap is this: This book is a means to an end, not a personal posse..
If you are absolutely determined to buy new books, the least you can do is shop around for the best deal. Large retailers like Chapters and Amazon often have cheaper prices. And best of all, you can shop online to avoid the bookstore lineups. Just make sure you know your ISBN in advance, and calculate all shipping charges into your final price.
3. Don't be fooled by new editions As all students now, publishers like to change editions every few years, forcing you to buy brand new books. Don't be fooled!! There is generally very little difference between editions. Before you get too excited, remember to ask your professor to approve the use of the previous edition. Although it's great to save money, you don't want to flunk a course due to outdated material.
Another option is to check for international editions. Many of the same books are sold in the USA, Canada, and the UK. A quick search on Amazon shows that the same book is cheaper in Canada, and even cheaper in the UK! Note that the ISBN may not be the same overseas, so search the title and author instead.
4. Use your campus library For the times when you cannot use an old edition or find a used book (these times are rare, but yes, they do happen), ask for the book on reserve at the library. For hard to find or especially expensive books professors will often place several copies of the text on reserve. Since you know you have limited access to the book, your study time will be much more efficient. Best of all, this service is completely free.
5. Sell or swap your booksLucrative Market In Selling Used BooksLucrative Market In Selling Used Books by K Snow Buying used books was not always in fashion. On the contrary it was not considered acceptable and was looked down upon. College students and booklo..
I have never met a student that does not have a pile of textbooks gathering dust in some corner. I like to believe that one day, I will reference one of my 5-year old Marketing books. Funny, because I'm not even in Marketing! Don't fall victim to the the glorified idea that you will need all of you textbooks in the future. Instead, earn some money back by swapping or selling your books with other students. The quickest way to do this is online. You can use the same site you used to find books,
http://www.planetstudents.com. Post your book online for free, and let thousands of students from you school, your city, across the whole country access your ad.
We cannot control the textbook prices (but kudos to all the students out there fighting with protests and petitions). We can, however, change the way we buy books. If nothing else, buy used books and sell or swap yours when you're done. You save money, and help other students in the process.
About the Author
PlanetStudents.com connects students from across the country offering many great services: Textbooks, Roommates, Off-Campus Housing, Tutors, and Coupons. Contact us for more information. Info@planetstudents.com