<p>S' school uses Barnes and Noble so I was able to enter his courses into a school/BN web site and find out what books (and materials, as a music major there are some book/cd combos involved) he needs. In some cases the best price was at the school BN site but a few were a lot less new (or used) at Amazon.</p>
<p>Anyone have tips for keeping book costs down but also getting books that are the current edition and not all marked up? </p>
<p>Do you do it online before school or wait and do it at the bookstore or wait and do it online later or....?</p>
<p>I purchased 4 textbooks from ebay in June. I got used books that I knew were going to be used again in the fall. the chemistry book (never used with access card) was purchased for less than 1/2 the list price and $50 less than what I could find today after checking. The calculus book I got for $7.00. I did buy an international biology book, after confirming that most of the professors at DS school don’t care. It was a gamble buying before registration is complete, but if I went by what the college bookstore is charging right now (for used) I would need $150 more. </p>
<p>It was a good deal for us. Check ebay using ISBN numbers and read very carefully the descriptions, editions and whether or not the book is an international edition. Also, take a look at renting textbooks. The prices for renting was reasonable, but all the books I purchased will be needed later for MCAT and OAT later.</p>
<p>Started buying textbooks? Except for one course that doesn’t have the book listed yet, we’re finished buying textbooks… although oldest has to buy a couple of < $5 books from the bookstore when he gets there as shipping would have cost me more. We save a ton buying online and the sooner the better. Kids tend to list books as soon as they’ve finished the class. The least expensive, better condition ones go quickly. I monitor the school websites for book lists on a weekly basis and buy as soon as they list the book.</p>
<p>I use dealoz.com for an overall feel of what the books are selling for (use the ISBN #) and then, as others have mentioned, read descriptions VERY carefully.</p>
<p>Over the years I’ve paid as little as 1/3rd the total bookstore cost or as much as 2/3 of what it would be (total, not individual books). It really depends upon how old the needed editions are. If they are new or require software, you can’t save as much. If they’ve been out a few years you can save a bundle.</p>
<p>I’ve said this on other threads too-WAIT until your child has taken one class to see if they really NEED the books listed, then buy them online. Even with rush shipping if needed, they are far less expensive in most cases than the book store–but some are not.</p>
<p>Our best semester for books, $30. Average–around $150. Worst semester, $330, oldest son’s first semester freshman year–most of those $330 books are in a box having never been opened.</p>
<p>Even with buying used where possible, we’re looking at almost $400 ($650 if bought through college bookstore, used). Lots of music though, theory and such, that I hope will be used again.</p>
<p>I know my S…renting is not going to work. Buying used and reselling when he can will be a lot better for him.</p>
<p>I like the idea of waiting to see if they are really needed but am nervous to then not get them in time, as they are from various Amazon marketplace sellers for the most part.</p>
<p>The problem I had was that many of my son’s instructors required books with an online access code for homework. So if you buy the book used, you still have to figure out how much online access will cost.</p>
<p>My worst semester: ~$600. One book alone was almost $200 with the access code. Then when I went to resell it on Amazon, it was almost worthless because a new edition had come out-I blame that one on the newish instructor. Some of the other (more experienced maybe?) instructors will let the kids use older editions of the same book so they are easier to buy used.</p>
<p>The school I go to will have live comparison prices when you go to the online store, which takes some of the work out. I still shop around though.</p>
<p>I lucked out though and prices were cheaper through the bookstore for all my textbooks, except for the novels I need! Believe that? I found the novels cheaper elsewhere but sadly the ISBN numbers didn’t match on one and the other was the abridged version of a book. Glad I read the fine print on that one.</p>
<p>Does anyone who goes through the campus bookstores reserve their books?? This is my first time doing that.</p>
<p>MissManda42-there were some books that were less expensive or the same price as online so we did reserve those at the bookstore. They were boxed up and ready to pick up on move in day.</p>
<p>The online access code thing…should S ask his professors if that is expected? The student Facebook group? It certainly isn’t part of the description of the books I’ve seen on the college bookstore/BN site.</p>
<p>DS’s freshman year math class, first semester had the new textbook listed and it came with the online access–again, bought books before class started, spent about $195 on that book if I remember correctly. After first day of class, used text book $45, online access, $35.</p>
<p>D uses amazon and abebooks. She’s always been able to get her books used. I think her most expensive book was for a math class, but they had a copies in the library, so she used that instead of buying the book. We usually spend $100-$120 per semester. I agree with waiting until the class starts to find out if you really need the book. Or you could email the professor and ask.</p>
<p>Has anyone had any experience with a CD-ROM textbook?</p>
<p>D has a political science class in the fall; CD-ROM is the required text…wondering if it is ok to purchase used? or if it won’t work for whatever reason…huge difference in $$; worried that is a “red flag”</p>
<p>Daughter has a Kindle Fire, was able to get several e-versions of her books either free (public domain stuff for some classes) or cheaply, and also not have to lug physical books around. She did this last spring semester and LOVED it. Those are already downloaded. More and more textbooks are coming out in e-editions. Purchased several used physical books from secondary market (only choose very good or like new conditions) and those have arrived. A few are the “special editions” (hmmm…) only available through the U’s bookstore; those are pre-ordered to be in place when school starts.</p>
<p>She’s sold books back via those same secondary markets (ebooks are not re-sellable), and this fall, her book cost minus the money she made selling back was under $100.00.</p>
<p>Online texts expire, not sure about CD Roms, but I wouldn’t think so.</p>
<p>Online access codes. It’s the new thing, and not surprised you don’t see anything about them. The code is just printed in the front of the book. It often comes “free” with a new book and some new books sold through university suppliers. The prof orders by ISBN. The ISBN may be a number on a shrink wrapped bundle, while the book itself is a different. It’s not a happy kid who gets to class on day one only to discover his book is the wrong ISBN and doesn’t include the access code. he may still come out ahead buying the access code separately. As noted, most are in the 30-50 dollar range.</p>
<p>I have been very happy renting textbooks. I like Chegg. I usually find better prices there for rental or purchase than at the university’s bookstore.</p>
<p>Really love the info on the access codes – that is new to me. I’ll be sure to mention it to my son. </p>
<p>I fully assumed my son would be shopping for books himself. Is there some reason for a parent to do it? How would I as a parent really know how badly the book is required? And what if he drops a class and adds a different one? Are parents better bargain hunters? I think I can trust my son to do this, but if there is something I’m missing, please reveal the mystery! (Plus, I think he would be annoyed if I went ahead and bought the books for him.)</p>
<p>In my case, I’m paying for them so I’m interested in getting the best deal…and yeah, I’m better at finding deals than he is. So this very first time, I’m helping…or doing it for him, not sure yet.</p>
<p>You make a good point though, I guess I could come up with an amount for the semester that I know is enough, give him that amount of money, let him see what he can save, and let him keep the rest. Might be a good learning experience.</p>
<p>I’m a much better bargain hunter than my kids and finances matter in our family.</p>
<p>Oldest has been good at finding some books others at his college are finished with, but otherwise, I shop online. Since I’m paying for books anyway, this works out for us.</p>
<p>If he drops a class? He knows to check with other students to see if they want to buy his book. Then we’ll discuss who’s buying the new book based upon cost and time for shipping. At the end, if he chooses to sell his books he gets to keep the $$ for spending money. Some he wants to keep.</p>
<p>For us, buying then reselling has been far less expensive than renting.</p>
Glad I read the fine print on that one.</p>