<p>What is the best way to buy books for freshmen? DS is fromout of state and will not have time to visit campus prior to move-in (completed orientation last month). Thanks for your suggestions .</p>
<p>dd did not buy books until on campus and we’re 90 minutes away! She went to a few stores and compared prices and availability. Some she waited until classes started to purchase and was fine (for instance, bought older math book after finding out prof would provide supplemental pages for new edition). She told me about a dad who hit all the bookstores on High street and comparison shopped while mom/daughter unpacked…either his way of helping or coping but thought it was a great idea!</p>
<p>First, you can go here ([Buckeye</a> Books - Textbooks](<a href=“http://www.buckeyebooks.com/ePOS?store=754&form=shared3%2Ftextbooks%2Ftext_browse.html&design=754&campus=MAIN]Buckeye”>http://www.buckeyebooks.com/ePOS?store=754&form=shared3%2Ftextbooks%2Ftext_browse.html&design=754&campus=MAIN)) to look up text books. Some professors are better about requesting them well ahead of time than others.</p>
<p>You can order them online. Often the only problem is they take too long to arrive, but Amazon is now offering a free year of Amazon Prime (=free 2-day shipping) to university students. That’s a good option.</p>
<p>Many students wait until after their classes start to buy textbooks from local campus-area stores. More expensive than ordering online but usually the most convenient option. One warning: Barnes & Noble is more expensive than other campus stores like SBX.</p>
<p>I use chegg.com and rent them (they plant a tree for every book you rent!). I’ve rented an old version of a book that was over $100 for only $5. Book stores don’t give much money back when you sell back your books, plus if your book has a new edition the next quarter, the store won’t buy your old one back at all. </p>
<p>If you’re going to buy books, waiting until classes start is risky because stores run out of books and I’m pretty sure you can return the books if you end up not needing it for your class, although I’m not totally sure about that.</p>
<p>My kid usually looks up the isbn of the books that Barnes & Noble lists for the courses he is taking. Then he shops for them online and buys if he thinks the deal is good and the instructor is unlikely to switch the book at the last minute. </p>
<p>I know some people buy their books at the bookstore, keep the receipt, shop online for those same books at a better price, and then return the bookstore books when/if they are able to acquire cheaper ones through online shopping. Sounds complicated but I have heard it works fine.</p>
<p>Renting seems like a viable option if your kid is responsible.</p>
<p>Also check out things like this Facebook group ([Ohio</a> State Text Book Exchange | Facebook](<a href=“Facebook Public Group | Facebook”>Facebook Public Group | Facebook)). It’s a book exchange among students and will tend to have more books for the really common classes. There’s not too much activity now, but it should pick up as classes get closer. It’s not something to rely on, but a good place to go if you want a chance at some good deals.</p>
<p>use marketplace on facebook to look up people trying to sell their old books (especially the basic math books).
also use bookbutler.com, half.ebay.com, and amazon marketplace.
the local bookstores will always rip you off…
Good luck!</p>
<p>My son got his ISBN numbers and looked on amazon (just don’t wait too long or they run out) His best deals were at SBX where they will take pre-orders and the books can be picked up when your D arrives. Since my son is a new fresh. we tried to take a relatively safe route and reserve them now to make sure he has what he needs. He has all but one of his books already. I think this worked best for us, just one thing he won’t have to mess with at the beginning of fall qtr. He may use other options for winter qtr. Also, make sure if any book has plastic wrap it is not removed. A book cannot be returned for any reason once the wrapping is removed. Our son is just taking them to class wrapped until he knows for sure he has what is needed. Good luck!</p>