<p>Is renting a textbook a good idea? The rental site says the book may not come with access codes or cd's that would come with a new book.</p>
<p>Ask the professor. You may not need the CDs and other peripherals, but they can tell you. Just email them.</p>
<p>If the class is in your major I would buy the book. Those books will be the start of your professional library. Otherwise, I’d look at used books. I’d be afraid that I would mark or otherwise do something that would cause me to be fined or forced to replace the rental book. With a used book, I trash it if it isn’t in good shape at the conclusion of the class or sell it back if it’s in good shape.</p>
<p>^ This is an interesting perspective. Did you actually use your textbooks after graduation? I haven’t met anyone who has, but that doesn’t mean people do not do it. </p>
<p>I remember thinking I would keep mine for future use (and actually I even stayed in the same field for other degrees and finally as a professor) but I never went back to my undergrad texts, ever. Same with my notes. Maybe different in other fields?</p>
<p>I rented books for college classes I took while in HS. It worked out great! They send the book with a box and prepaid postage to return it in. Super easy and I would recommend it.</p>
<p>many student do rent their books. It is a matter of personal choice. Depending on how expensive the book is and whether it is a popular class.</p>
<p>Dealoz (dot) com is a site that compares prices for new/used/rental books from all different online providers. If you plan on attending graduate school then I would suggest buying the books from your major.</p>
<p>In the 6 years I have been buying books for my S I was always able to buy new or good used books cheaper than renting. Usually from half.com, ebay, amazon, but sometimes other sites. Sometimes the publisher sold them for less than retail.</p>
<p>My D compares prices - usually buys used, but with brand new textbooks sometimes the rental has been the least expensive route. She’s rented 2 books in 2 years so far. Has been no problem - easy to do, easy to return. The bookstore at the university where I am an employee has started offering rentals of some textbooks in addition to new and used.</p>