Textbook Options for Students Without Breaking the Bank

By Danny Menter on May 20, 2012

Textbooks can cost students up to a thousand dollars per semester, with many books never being used by the professor that requests them. The good news is there are options out there other than donating your plasma. Many internet sites now offer cheaper options for students rather than buying directly from FSU and can save you a bunch of cash when it comes to receiving your financial aid or scholarships.

Photo by plutor via Flickr.com

Amazon.com is a great resource for those looking for books fast. Recently, I had a situation where my professor ordered only a certain number of books through Bill’s Bookstore and not through the FSU Bookstore. The day of class I had three readings assigned and no books to read from. The good thing about Amazon is that they offer Amazon Prime for students, a service that usually runs customers about eighty bucks. All you have to do is sign up for an account with Amazon, provide a credit card number and you receive free two-day shipping. Their costs are usually cheaper than going through a university bookstore and you still have the option of buying a new or used copy.

On the other hand, many students find their bookcases (or trunks) weighed down by books they will never read again (Moby Dick is a one time read). For these books, I would suggest Cheaptextbooks.com, a site that you lets you buy, sell or rent your used textbooks. The company also allow you to compare prices across the board with other textbook sites.

Although Craigslist can be a site filled with the dregs of society, a lot of times the person trying to unload some of their textbooks are just college kids looking to make a quick buck. This goes without saying, but if you ever do decide to buy something off of Craigslist it’s probably best to meet in a well lit and public area, not the basement of the seller’s house.

 

Photo by Michelle Collins via Craigslist.com

Chegg.com is another great rental site. The thing that separates them from other textbook rental companies is the speed with which you receive your books, with books usually arriving in less than a few days. They also guarantee the quality of the books they rent, meaning you’re not going to receive a sodden brick of graffiti instead of your business ethics text. And if you’re not completely satisfied? They send you a new one. As an added bonus, Chegg is also eco friendly and has planted over five million trees around the world with the support of student philanthropists.

As with any internet site, there are textbook pages that look legitimate but are not. There are sites that prey on the impatience of worried students and it’s always a good idea to thoroughly check out a company before inputting any of your personal information.

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