<p>I would love to get some tips on the best way to go about getting books. We're back from orientation and classes are scheduled! I know the options are to rent, buy(new or used) and also heard some talk about the books being online. I heard someone say to wait until classes start to order books because some professors don't use the books. Good or bad advice? What about renting? If you rent the books, they have to be turned in around finals time. Are there some classes that you would want to keep the books for an extra semester or two? Any help would be appreciated! </p>
<p>What classes are you taking? If I’ve taken any of them I could give you some additional advice.</p>
<p>It really depends if you are planning on buying from the bookstore or not (bookstore is always more expensive but sometimes you can’t find the textbooks elsewhere since it’s a special “Clemson” edition - of course they would do something like that 
)</p>
<p>If you buy from the bookstore, you usually have 3-4 weeks to return them so if you find out your professor isn’t going to use the textbook much then you can return it as long as you have not opened any packaging. Also the bookstore buys back textbooks at the end of the year but for some ridiculously low amount like $20-30 so don’t expect anything back…(and $0 if that book isn’t going to be used again). Just something to consider when looking at renting vs. buying. I personally haven’t referenced any textbooks from freshman year. I only started keeping textbooks once I got into my major.</p>
<p>You can definitely buy online - check the ISBN # on the textbook list to make sure you’re getting the same item. Like I mentioned above, some textbooks used in classes are special “Clemson” editions so you might not be able to find it online but you will be able to find a similar textbook which the Clemson edition is based off it. Ask the professor if it’ll be ok to use that instead, sometimes it will just be a few pages different. Many “Clemson” editions though are packaged with a software code to access online homework/content. The cost to individually purchase this software code if you don’t buy from the bookstore probably will end up being the same as buying from the bookstore anyways ($50) - it’ll be indicated on the textbook list if there is such an online code (AC - Access Code, MML - MyMathLab etc… some common abbreviations). Feel free to ask if you have any questions - either here or the bookstore, they should tell you.</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about timing but I always bought my textbooks before school started since I looked online and shipping could take some time but that was just me. </p>
<p>Think I covered everything I can think of on this topic. Sure I missed something so let me know if you have any other questions!</p>
<p>i got all of my textbooks already for a little over 300 dollars, which is pretty good. i found a bunch on Amazon for really cheap! I was VERY careful to make sure that if there was a cd or anything that went with it, that it was included. I also kept an eye out on the Facebook page to see if anyone was selling used textbooks that I needed! Luckily, I found someone a year ahead of me who took almost all the same classes as I am signed up for this year. I met her and got a really good deal on 3 classes worth of books! If you are buying mostly used books, I would make sure to talk to upperclassmen to see if the access code for the online portion of the book is necessary for the class (or at least wait for the first day of class) before buying the access code. 4 of my classes have access codes, but by talking to upperclassmen I found out I only need to purchase one. I had to buy one textbook from the school bookstore this year because it was actually the best price I could find! </p>
<p>^Yep, check Facebook groups, here’s an example: <a href=“CLEMSON BOOK EXCHANGE | Facebook”>https://www.facebook.com/groups/7448636094/</a></p>
<p>(CC blocked out the link but it’s Facebook and then the last part is shown)</p>
<p>My personal experience is that every class that has required an access code has used it but like bes226, go to class and figure out what you really need (ask the professor before class starts or the first few days if necessary to confirm) before you buy (or make sure what you buy is returnable).</p>
<p>Pierre0913, Could you tell me if both the “required package” & the “package component” are necessary? I am confused if my daughter should buy all that they are asking for. This is our first “rodeo”…Thanks!</p>
<p>@shemcreek , the package components are already in the “required package” - they are just one component of the “required package” if you for some reason chose to buy package items separately. </p>
<p>So no, just get the “required package”.</p>
<p>Thank you Pierre! Also, could you tell me if the “Bookstore Recommended” books are necessary? Do you remember how much the required code online is?</p>
<p>The bookstore recommended books are definitely not necessary (can’t remember a single scenario where they would’ve been useful, just a scheme to get you to spend some more $$)</p>
<p>I can’t remember how much the codes were. They’re used freshman/sophomore years so that was a while ago for me. If you email the professor or someone in the department the class is in, they may know the answer (wanna say $70-100 but I’m not completely sure, not exactly cheap).</p>