subject: Where To Start If You Want To Save Money On Textbooks [print this page] I came into college relatively naive about a lot of things--especially the expenses external to tuition! Through a hefty scholarship and grants from the federal government, I had covered the cost of the inflated tuition of a southern California private university, but that left me with little other funds.
That is why, when I saw the cash register at the school's bookstore hike over 600 dollars, my stomach somersaulted a few times. Fortunately, I had some extra support from my parents, but I vowed at that moment never to pay that much for textbooks again!
If you have found yourself in a similar position, you are probably wondering how to cut costs on your academic necessities so that each semester's beginning does not seem so financially bleak.
That is where I can help you. Through practice and experience, I have been able to reduce my textbook spending by several hundred dollars.
You will want to begin by compiling a list of the required texts for your final classes. Some universities, like mine, allow easy access to such a list from the bookstore's website, which you can print out with just a click.
Try to avoid purchasing books for those classes you may not remain signed up for. Most bookstores have a return policy, but continual trips to the bookstore wastes time and you may be charged "restocking fees," or face other complications.
Before you begin your hunt for low-priced textbooks, you need adequate information regarding each of your required texts. Sometimes the inventory you find through your school is missing critical details, like the editor, the edition, or the publisher.
You may want to take an afternoon to browse the school's stock of textbooks with a notebook and pen in hand so that you can jot down vital information, such as the ISBN number, the edition, and what it actually looks like (e.g.: two Galapagos turtles on the front).
You should also take note of the university's pricing for both new and used copies of each textbook you need. This will be helpful in your search, especially as you calculate shipping costs and so on.
For example, I needed a particular book at the start of this semester, but everywhere I searched, it was offered at about the same price as the listing provided by the bookstore, with a few vendors shaving off five or six dollars. But after the added cost of shipping, plus the time spent waiting for it to arrive, it was a better value for me to simply trudge back to the bookstore and purchase it there.
Finally, when you make online purchases (usually the best way to go in my experience), try to buy locally. Many sites have an option where you can find out what zip code a particular seller will be shipping from.
Especially if don't plan on paying extra for rushed shipping, it is better to select a vendor that is nearby. It's as simple as this: if you live in Missouri, order Missouri textbooks!
by: Art Gib
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