<p>Does anybody know how to find out what books are needed for specific classes? My son got his class assignments and we were hoping to buy the books online.</p>
<p>One way to do it is to go to the El Corral Bookstore website - [El</a> Corral Bookstore Q & A - Textbooks On-Line](<a href=“Official Online Store”>Official Online Store) - and if you know the all the course id information you can then find out what books are required and then compare prices on amazon, ebay, etc…</p>
<p>Great! Thanks gotpeter.</p>
<p>I noticed that the Textbook Lookup link directs me to Select Classes for 2009 Summer Term. Does anyone know if the books for Fall 2009 will be the same, or when they will change this list to Fall 2009?</p>
<p>Just talked to the bookstore and learned that the Fall Qtr courses will not be online until Sept. 1st. Until then everything is Summer Qtr stuff and I definitely would not count on it being the same as for the fall.</p>
<p>I thought that might be the case. The Bookstore’s Shop Online says it isn’t available until Sept. 1, so that makes sense. Thanks again for your help gotpeter!</p>
<p>Any current students… do you recommend reserving books at the bookstore, or just getting them on your own on amazon or something?</p>
<p>To save money definitely get them on your own. For finding out which books are needed I have always emailed the teachers. You can look it up through the search box on your portal. I ask for a syllabus if possible or just the required books. Also, sometimes the bookstore’s website isn’t 100% accurate. It can list books as required when the teacher will say you don’t need to buy them or it won’t list books that are required. Both have happened to me, that’s why it’s best to ask the teacher. Another option for buying books when you’re in slo is Aida’s bookstore that’s just off campus. They usually have a good stock of used books available and they’re cheaper then El Corral for new or used. This is the best option in my opinion if you can’t get them online.</p>
<p>I strongly agree with kristeeroxx’s suggestion that you first get the syllabus from the professor making sure it contains the complete title/edition # - the ISBN is ideal, of each required text and supplement. Many textbooks come in multiple versions and you need to know exactly which one is required. I found I could not get that information for a Calculus text on the El Corral web site. Then shop online (I’ve had great luck shopping overseas on eBay) for the best price.</p>
<p>Well, I must point out that technically speaking Aidas is gone. The folks that have replaced them are almost as good though.</p>
<p>Do NOT ever buy new texts at El Corral (or even used ones). Always use Amazon, Half, etc. for your texts. I usually contact the professors a few weeks before the start of the quarter about required texts. Also use screwthebookstores.com as a way of selling/buying books from other students at Poly.</p>
<p>irg&nchrg, is your recommendation based solely on price or are there other problems with El Corral?</p>
<p>DO NOT buy books from the bookstore if you can help it. On the first day of class, your profs will tell you exactly what books you need. Buuut I recommend shooting them an email and asking about the title and version. I recommend using craigslist to buy books; the next best option would be online, but you will have to pay tax and shipping this way.</p>
<p>Same goes for selling books. You will get a much, much better price selling off used books on craigslist than you will selling back to the bookstore. If you’re lucky, last quarter’s books will pay for the next’s and the next’s and the next’s …</p>
<p>Just be careful about versions; our school seems to like to swap book versions every once in awhile, and it can be a pain keeping track. It’s true that working with El Corral is convenient but it’s a freakken rip!!</p>
<p>If you click on the schedule the teachers name will show up on student self service, however, the Fall books will only show online beginning 9/1. Everyone I’ve spoken with says to buy them online at Amazon. they are much much cheaper!</p>