<p>Regarding the books, if we use the ISBN number provided at the B&N Vanderbilt website, would we have the same books even if we ordered from other websites (Edition, publication date-wise)?</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>By that, I mean is this book</p>
<p>Barnes</a> & Noble at Vanderbilt University Bookstore - CALCULUS</p>
<p>the same as</p>
<p>Calculus:</a> James Stewart: 9780538497817: Amazon.com: Books</p>
<p>?</p>
<p>For the most part, yes. If you use the ISBN you should come up with the same book at other sites. But sometimes other sites cross reference ISBNs and give you a result that is not the same, like an older edition or international version. The one you linked to on Amazon looks correct. Just make sure it is the correct edition and publishing date and doesn’t say international, metric, or teacher’s edition (unless you’re OK with them).
I’m by no means an expert. I’ve been helping S2 look at his options for buying books and have been looking at this same one.</p>
<p>Textbookspy.com allows you to compare prices, but I noticed that the cheaper buys are usually international editions (which you sometimes can get away with.) I’ve heard that Walmart.com is coming in low for buying new. For ebook rentals also check coursesmart.com. For that particular book (or others published by cengage), check out <a href=“http://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/isbn/9780538497817[/url]”>http://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/isbn/9780538497817</a>. My son is planning on waiting until after the first class (or until the professor contacts the class with book info) to buy books…sometimes books aren’t required or earlier/international versions will suffice. With Amazon prime you can get books shipped free in two days, ebooks give immediate access, and some online book rental companies give access to the ebook until the actual book arrives. So no reason I can think of to buy ahead. I figure he can get the best suggestions for books from other students when he gets there. Plus, less stuff to move in!</p>
<p>The cheapest ways to get big textbooks:
-Buy used in decent condition from something like Amazon or Half.com, then use Amazon’s buyback program at the end of the semester
-Buy international edition
-Rent for one semester</p>
<p>These three options are usually all very similar in pricing.</p>
<p>But to answer your question, yes, the ISBNs provided by Vandy will be correct. Sometimes Vandy has some unique edition (ex. printed on different paper, or a “Vanderbilt edition”) in which case the ISBN will not show up anywhere, and you just have to look it up by title/author/edition.</p>
<p>For those that have Chemistry 102A with Prof Todd: The ISBN for required books seems to be unique to Vanderbilt ( 9781269415453). That’s because it is a bundle that Vandy bookstore put together of the text book along with the solutions manual.
The ISBN-13 for the textbook is 9780321809247
The ISBN-13 for the solutions manual is 978-0321813640
If you have this class with Prof Todd check the YES details page for that class, and click on “view syllabus” for information from Professor Todd. She gives advice on the required books.
There’s also information about the “clicker” she uses in that class.</p>
<p>Thanks!!! We were wondering about the chem book!!! Now we don’t have to buy it! (Older D had Todd last year for chem)</p>
<p>I know this is an old thread but I had a question about the books for Prof. Todd. The description in the Vandy bookstore also mentions a binder. Does anyone know what that is and can you only get it with the bundle? Also, @GoDoresx2 mentioned the YES details page for the class. Where can you get to that page? Or is that something that comes up later on as we get closer to the beginning of the class?</p>
<p>Basically, the textbook/solution manual are printed on paper and spiral bound. I have no idea why they do this. You can buy a normal copy of the textbook and solution manual instead. GoDoresX2 posted the ISBNs of the separate items, they probably have not changed, but if you’d like you can wait for the syllabus.</p>
<p>RE the syllabus, occasionally professors will post the syllabus in YES. When you click on the course, you can see “Syllabus:” in the info. Sometimes there will be a link to a syllabus. I don’t think I’ve ever really seen/used this feature.</p>
<p>All course syllabuses should eventually be posted to “Blackboard” aka “OAK” ( <a href=“Brightspace | Vanderbilt University”>http://www.vanderbilt.edu/oak/</a> ). It’s pretty unlikely that you’ll be able to access courses this early. Usually you don’t see the syllabus till day 1 of class or a couple days earlier.</p>
<p>one comment I would make is that our Vandy son took pride in finding inexpensive books for himself at Amazon, half.com on ebay etc, but as they say: “pride goeth before a fall or a bargain” sometimes. A few times sellers used shipping that was very slow and not worth the cost savings. When you locate a book online, choose Amazon Prime free two day when offered, opt for upping to faster shipping charges and don’t buy books with long vague shipping dates for fall term. </p>
<p>I’m a bit confused…I can’t find cheaper books with the same ISBN online…will that be a problem? </p>
<p>jrmama, three ring binder texts (looseleaf) are designed by the publishers to be value editions and save students money on the front end. However, bookstores aren’t supposed to buy them back, so students have few resale options for them. Students do resell on amazon.com though to get something back. Despite what you would think from textbook prices, the publishing industry has been hit hard in recent years and I think their real money comes from selling the technology products that can only be used for one semester (MyLabs,Connect, Aplia, etc.)</p>
<p>Sophie1295, your problem is likely due to bundling which produces a unique ISBN #. While federal law requires that specific ISBNs be supplied to students now for comparison shopping, Barnes & Noble only has space in their system to accept one ISBN and not additional options such as buying a used hardback book and a new technology code. I teach at a community college supported by a B&N on campus and I’ve been through this with them. I assume it’s the same way at VU. If it’s a bundle, you can determine the various components of the bundle closer to the start date and go from there. That’s actually when the best prices are out there on amazon, IMO. </p>
<p>Faline2’s advice about getting expedited shipping is important:) </p>
<p>I’m thinking of buying new books and reselling them. My DD is so easy on books that they will be like new when she is done. Are the resale prices decent for used books that are like new?</p>
<p>They are alright, but usually pretty far off of the brand new price. If you plan to buying new books and returning, you could take a pretty large loss. Why not just rent the book? Should save you money.</p>
<p>A better strategy is to buy a gently used textbook and resell it at the end of the semester; that way, the condition and value won’t really have changed over the course of the year.</p>
<p>For example…</p>
<p>You see this Calculus book can be purchased new from Amazon for 233 and returned for a 100 Amazon gift card.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Calculus-James-Stewart/dp/0538497815/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403044406&sr=8-1&keywords=calculus+7th”>http://www.amazon.com/Calculus-James-Stewart/dp/0538497815/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403044406&sr=8-1&keywords=calculus+7th</a></p>
<p>Here’s the same book on Half.com in 'Like new" condition for $125:</p>
<p><a href=“Electronics, Cars, Fashion, Collectibles & More | eBay”>Electronics, Cars, Fashion, Collectibles & More | eBay;
<p>Buy for $125, then sell to Amazon conveniently for $100 or even try to sell elsewhere for the $125ish you paid. Cheaper than renting, and gives you the option of keeping the book if you want it or need it for another class.</p>
<p>Thanks, Pancaked. Good advice!</p>
<p>I hadn’t looked at half.com. That’s a great option! As for the Chemistry book. I’m a little nervous about buying the book and solutions manual separately. Do most of the students have the binder version purchased at the bookstore or do a lot of them have the two separate books?</p>
<p>@Jrmama496 , I don’t really know, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with buying them separately. That is how you’d buy them for any other course. Again I have no idea why Vanderbilt bundles these two books in some bound notebook. </p>
<p>Oh, I think the “binder” version is printed on paper that can be torn out. Why you’d want to tear pages out of your textbook or solutions manual is beyond me.</p>
<p>If you are really curious, you can email the professors, but keep in mind that they are teaching large lectures and probably are bombarded with emails-- be concise!</p>
<p>Have folks bought international edition of the chemistry book mentioned above ( ISBN-13 - 9780321809247 ) ?
Lots of those on ebay claiming to be same as US edition and legal .</p>
<p>International versions are usually identical, but they can be slightly different, so you’re taking a risk. It may have different or rearranged practice problems-- in Gen Chem, all the homework is online, but it is possible that the professor will suggest problems from the book for practice. That’s why the chem binder thing includes a solution manual. If money is tight, I would say the international version is fine. Can always go to a friend to make sure the problems match up.</p>
<p>I had international versions for chemistry and physics. Like Pancaked said, these classes have online homework and personally I did not refer to the text much since we took so many notes during lecture.</p>
<p>@dtotheustin09 - Did u buy the solutions manual too ? I know it may not correspond to the international edition.
I am not sure what this is : ISBN: 9780983385950 - SAPLING LEARNING-SINGLE COURSE ACCESS Listed for Chemistry 102A</p>