International paperback editions of US college textbooks?

Student Lounge College Life
1

Online sites offer international paperback editions of US college textbooks for MUCH less than hardbacks and even less than the “loose leaf” versions offered at the university bookstore (that you need to put in a binder). Has anyone used these and would you recommend them or not. They say the content is the same, although I wonder if there are differences in page numbers, etc. that might make them more difficult to use. I’d like to find the most cost effective way to get him what he needs.

2

Your best option is to contact the instructor. More often than not, the instructor will accept the book.

Some books may not have additional information but you can tell the professor which version you have and the prof tends to help.

3

Thanks, I’ll have him do that!

4

I encourage my students to buy these :slight_smile: The difference in price is ridiculous.

5

From personal experience, you’re better off asking the professor just in case if there’s any supplemental materials like access codes, CDs, DVDs, etc. that come with the US version but not the international version. Alternatively, you could buy or rent a digital version of the book if offered. and you would most likely be all set.

6

Thanks very much for the input! Often the publisher offers supplemental materials separately from the text, so that may be an option to combine with the international edition.
Text book pricing is a lot like drug pricing. I’ve bought through Canadian pharmacies and saved 75%. Looks like this will work with books too.

7

@benjd
I was just dealing with the same thing a couple weeks ago for two books. I emailed both of my professors. One said it wasn’t required to have supplements and that the international edition is okay, so I bought it for about $45. Another, unfortunately, didn’t respond, so I ended up renting that book digitally for $65.

8

Thanks for the reply. I’ll do the same. I’ll also have to tell my son he needs to adapt to ebooks. He hated the digital books that sometimes were supplements to his high school textbooks. I think the college ebooks are more sophisticated and allow highlighting and note taking.