Buying Textbooks

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - San Diego
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<p>In the textbook list for each class, is the “Req(uired) / Opt(ional)” column accurate? Or should I still wait until after class actually starts to see if we’ll really need a book?</p>

<p>Also, is the only difference between a looseleaf and a non-looseleaf textbook that the looseleaf isn’t bound in a traditional hard cover – it’s just hole-punched pages? I don’t get why some classes (ex. PSYC 3) list the looseleaf as required and the non-looseleaf as optional, while others (ex. BICD 100) require the hardcover textbook and make the looseleaf optional. Is that just on the whim of the instructor, or is there really a difference…?</p>

<p>I’m also confused because on Amazon, the looseleaf PSYC 3 book is $150, while the hardcover PSYC 3 book is $143. Why would the looseleaf be more expensive than the more durable hardcover? Am I missing something here?</p>

2

<p>Depends on the class. Sometimes when professors said a book was required, I still never used it because it was more of a reference than material that was going to be tested on. You can ask the professor, if you want to be able to get the text earlier, but I always waited until classes started to see if I wanted to buy the book or not. But just use your judgement as well. Also, the library has textbooks on reserve, so if you’re only going to use a book occasionally, you can see if they have it on reserve.</p>

<p>Yes, the only difference is that the looseleaf version isn’t bound. Something to keep in mind though is that the bound version is often a lot easier to sell back (either to the bookstore or to other students), so you might be able to recoup more of your cost if you buy the bound version and then sell it after the quarter.</p>

<p>And there are always weird situations like that. I’ve seen textbooks where the used edition was more expensive than the new edition, and I’ve seen times with the older edition of the textbook was more expensive than the new edition. It just depends on supply and what they’re selling it for. It’s not a big deal. Just buy the cheaper one.</p>

3

<p>dont forget theres always the possibility of renting textbooks as well. they make it so easy; just print out the necessary documents, repackage (usually in box it was sent in) and drop to your local ups/shipping office. i didnt really like the idea of having to deal with posting ads and finding/meeting someone to sell your book back. most books are in the range of 40%-60% of its full price, and you can choose whether to have it for a semester or quarter length period.</p>

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<p>I think when the prof. usually list their textbook as required, then it’s really required.
However, I sometimes use ebooks and if I really need a copy of it, I just go to UCSD library reserve to borrow it for 3 hrs. There are some textbooks though that they don’t have it in reserve. I had to purchase my art history textbook and I also couldn’t find ebook because it wasn’t a popular textbook.</p>

<p>Looseleaf textbook usually comes inside the plastic wrap (yes, it’s whole punched) if you buy it new, and you have to put it in your own binder or else everything will just fly away.</p>

<p>If the prof. listed a looseleaf as required and regular textbook as optional and that they are the same txt, same edition, then I guess he kinda gives you a choice of buying a cheaper one. Looseleaf is always cheaper than hardcover.</p>

<p>In my opinion, if you plan to sell a used textbook to someone, it’s easier to sell a hardcover version. People just like it more.</p>

<p>ummm… I have no idea why the looseleaf one is more expensive. That’s weird. Perhaps there’s a sale going on?</p>

<p>I used to buy textbooks last year because I liked having a hard copy and I don’t like to always have to turn on my computer to have access to it. However I later changed my mind because ochem textbook + solution manual is freaking expensive and I was able to find the ebook so why not. I also hate trying to sell it to other people. It’s just a hassle to me.</p>

<p>My advice is to not buy a brand new textbook because once you buy it, it’s used and you’ll have to sell a used book at a really low price. If you buy a used one (a lot cheaper) that’s still in good condition then sell it to someone else, you won’t lose that much money.</p>

<p>Using ebooks is another good way to save money and as long as you have it in your usb, you can have access to it anywhere without having to carry a textbook with you. There’s a UCSD ebook group on facebook. </p>

<p>Sometimes I find that I just don’t really use my textbook. Like for my genetics class, I didn’t even read a page because I studied from the slides and didn’t even have time to read something very detailed.</p>

5

<p>@buranka

</p>

<p>I sold my textbooks on Amazon and Half.com and I usually sold them within about a day and for more than 50% of what I bought my book for. It’s pretty effortless.</p>

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<p>^Also if you sell it to someone from campus (like through the facebook group), you can usually have them pick it up from you wherever and whenever you are on campus. You just need to bring the book with you, but you don’t really have to go out of your way.</p>

<p>I was really lazy when it came to selling books back, so I usually sold it back to the bookstore (which was really easy, and when I got the book online, there were times when I made a profit selling it to the bookstore) or to Amazon (which gives you the label to print out and pays for shipping, so I just wrapped it up and mailed it at the campus post office). It’s not much harder than renting the book, and depending on the book, renting or buying might be cheaper.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all of your replies! :slight_smile: I’m stalking the textbook-selling groups on Facebook right now hehe…</p>

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<p>Personally I don’t care for renting. Usually you can find a way for buying to be just as financially sensible and much more convenient. Try:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Facebook groups where you can make “Looking to buy” type posts and someone with the book responds or just snoop around for “Looking to sell” posts (e.g. <a href=“https://www.facebook.com/groups/331733603546959/[/url]”>https://www.facebook.com/groups/331733603546959/&lt;/a&gt;) or Facebook pages for specific clubs like UCSD Math Club for math books, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>postyourbook.com ( pick UCSD as your school )</p></li>
<li><p>[BIGWORDS.com</a> | Buy or Rent Cheap Textbooks | Sell Textbooks | Textbook Buyback | Compare New and Used Textbook Prices](<a href=“http://www.bigwords.com/]BIGWORDS.com”>http://www.bigwords.com/) - compares prices across multiple sellers/online platforms including rentals and intl editions</p></li>
</ol>

<p>last but not least, my favorite:
4. <a href=“https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=d097531a9612c4aa&id=D097531A9612C4AA!105[/url]”>https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=d097531a9612c4aa&id=D097531A9612C4AA!105&lt;/a&gt;
(<a href=“https://www.facebook.com/groups/341656362526100/[/url]”>https://www.facebook.com/groups/341656362526100/&lt;/a&gt; to join the group, stay updated and show love)</p>

<p>I highly discourage you from buying books from the bookstore. You can always get it cheaper elsewhere, you just have to put in the effort to look. Feel free to sell back to the bookstore, although once again they usually rip you off on that end too. Just don’t buy from them.</p>

<p>Also, don’t be afraid of selling/buying used books through online sites like Amazon, Half, Post Your Book, etc. you will save <em>a lot</em> of money that way. It’s not shady, I have done it seamlessly many times as both buyer and seller (knock on wood)</p>

<p>As for buying the books later when you’re sure you need them: for some classes it’s a no-brainer. I would say for most math or writing classes and some lower-division courses like PHYS, CHEM, you can expect to use the book. For a lot of CSE courses you don’t need the book, esp lower div classes. Point is: you should ask around (don’t be shy to post on Facebook asking for class advice) or just wait until the first day of classes to see what the prof says. Caveat with that is sometimes the books are all bought out so you might be paying a higher price for the book since you’re buying it after all the lower-priced copies were snatched up.</p>

<p>Loose Leaf vs. non-loose leaf doesn’t matter. loose leaf is generally cheaper, that’s why the prof may list it as optional or required over the hardcover at their discretion. It’s all the same.</p>

<p>Best of luck. PM me if you have questions :)</p>

9

<p>Thanks for all the links 92faim! I was wondering where the e-books were :D</p>