Where Do You Buy Your College Textbooks?
I am wondering where most students are buying their college textbooks.
I got fed up this semester and decided to find a cheaper alternative to my campus bookstore (VA Tech). I was just tired of getting ripped off (textbooks are pretty much a rip-off to begin with). I started using half.com http://www.half.com and amazon.com http://www.amazon.com , they had some pretty cheap used books if I looked hard enough- then I found a site that compared the prices at both of them and every other decent bookstore at the same time- Textbook411.com http://www.textbook411.com and I am finally able to afford my books and know that I am not getting ripped off.
I have also heard of some book swapping and renting programs but have never tried them personally- I was wondering what experiences and tips other people have for saving on textbooks.
At the college I went to, they had a program for those that were on a limited income or on scholarships or grants and didn’t have enough to buy the books from campus book store.
Basically it is this:
All the books were used and in fairly good shape and were donated by upperclassmen and they got credit for donating them on their accounts. Unlike where you take them back to the bookstore at the end of the semester for credit towards the next books you have to buy and where they didnt’ give you no where near enough to really matter.
BUT and here is the catch—-not just anyone could get books here, it was strictly for those on a limited income, kinda like getting free lunch in grade school. You had to get the forms filled out before first semester started and then submit them in time in order to find out if you were approved or not. If so then you were allowed to get the books here at a major discount, like 75% off or better. You were then required to return the books here after you were done with the classes so that they can then be passed on to others. If you didn’t return them you were charged 25.00 per book you don’t return. Which if you choose to keep the books, is not a bad deal as you could use them later on if need be.
You might want to see about getting this at your school by suggesting it to the student council or even the dean of the school. I thought this was a great thing for all the kids, it made college truely affordable for those that were on a fixed income.
Good luck to you. And if you have anymore questions about this or would like more details about it, just let me know. I would be happy to help.
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