An Insider's Guide to College Textbooks

While college is a wonderful thing, college textbooks are not. Students are often charged way too much for textbooks and publishers often put out a new edition every year, even though it isn't needed. The following tips will help college students not only get a good deal on their textbooks, but it will also give them some information that only the insider's know about.

An Insider's Guide to College Textbooks #1: Cheaper Prices Online

Many students don't realize that they can get their books cheaper online. In fact, you can actually get college textbooks for under $1! I have found many deals at Amazon and Half.com. Over the past two semesters I've probably saved around $300 shopping online for my books. Do a little comparison shopping online before buying your textbooks.

An Insider's Guide to College Textbooks #2: New Editions

Many people don't realize, but textbook publishers put out new editions in which all they change are the page numbers. They may move the sections around a little, but that's it. It's always a good idea to talk to your instructor about the book that will be used, if it's a new book.

An Insider's Guide to College Textbooks #3: Campus Bookstore

Avoid the campus bookstore like you would the plague. Campus bookstores charge outrageous prices for college textbooks. Books that you might find online for $5, you will pay $50 for in the campus bookstore.

An Insider's Guide to College Textbooks #4: Bookstore Buyback

One good thing about the campus bookstore is the ability to sell your books back to them at the end of the semester. Most campus bookstores will not care if you bought the book from them or not. You will usually get half or what the bookstore originally charged for the book.

An Insider's Guide to College Textbooks #5: Online Buyback

If your bookstore will not be selling the textbooks you have, during the next semester, you can always go online and sell your books. These companies usually provide the shipping labels, so all you have to do is mail them the books and they'll send you a check.

An Insider's Guide to College Textbooks #6: Highlighting and Other Marks