<p>Lake Jr. needs a Chemistry textbook and we're trying to save a buck or two. Found offers on Amazon for a "like new" versions of the required text. However, one reviewer warned that the book, when sold new, comes with codes and a CD to access online problems and solutions. Unfortunately, not one of the ads for the used edition even mentions such a code.</p>
<p>Anyone have any experience with this? Also, don't know whether or not the Kindle edition comes with said code. to avoid a problem (like being stuck with a "brick" book) I'm inclined to part with the extra cash and just get the new book.</p>
<p>Have your child ask the professor if the access code is required. Typically used textbooks don’t have the access code or online resources because the codes expire or are one use only. Your professor may not use any of the online resources, and I never used them when I was a student, unless required to. Some professors, however, require students get the access code because they require students to do problem sets or homework that are provided through some other service. There’s no way to know without asking the professor or looking at the syllabus.</p>
<p>Alternatively, usually you can purchase the access code separately. Depending on how cheap the textbook is, this may be a less expensive option.</p>
<p>besides checking with the prof to see if they will use the access or not, you should check the publisher’s website to find the price of the code separately.</p>
<p>My daughter’s teachers so far have required only the on-line code (which included complete access to the text) and not the hard copy of the book. This may be one where you have to wait until you get some kind of syllabus from the teacher to see what is required.</p>
<p>sometimes you can buy only the codes from the publisher. When buying used books, you have to buy several weeks ahead, otherwise it may be Oct before you see the book.</p>
<p>We had the same issue this year. the code alone was $80 making the combination of used book and code more expensive than purchasing new. some of the books that use the codes are much more compact, since a lot of the content is online.</p>
<p>O.K., we’ve learned from the Campus Bookstore that the code is an add-on from the publisher Wiley. It’s a feature called Wiley Plus. It is required by the professor and must be purchased in addition to the actual text. Fortunately, the cost of the two combined at the bookstore is competitive with Amazon’s price.</p>