<p>So I noticed Amazon offers the textbooks I need at a lower price. However, two of the textbooks I need require online access codes, and I've been reading complaints from customers that the textbooks they ordered came with no access codes/failed access codes. Does anybody have any experience buying these types of textbooks from Amazon (not individual sellers on Amazon)? Do you know of other online retailers that /do/ give you the access code with the textbook?</p>
<p>I use Amazon for my textbooks, but I have not seen any with access codes yet. Is this for online versions of the book?</p>
<p>If it is supplied by Amazon, it should be just like buying from any bookstore. Try reading the positive reviews and see if people talk about how they obtained their codes, or overcome the obstacles others have had.</p>
<p>Nah. Basically, online codes come as these little cardboard cards with your real textbook, and you input the code on the website specified to gain online access. I used this system for my German class last semester, but that was through the university’s store.</p>
<p>The positive reviews don’t mention access codes, just the textbook and the speedy delivery. Customers who reported missing access codes had to buy the access code directly from the publishing company, which costs around $30. If I had to spend that amount for an access code, the total cost with the textbook would come be the same as the textbook + access code at my university’s store, defeating the purpose of Amazon.</p>
<p>The used books are the ones that do not have the access code. I have not had a problem with new books.</p>
<p>I bought a new textbook from Amazon and didn’t get an access code and emailed the site. I sent a screen shot of my Amazon receipt and they sent me a code to use. (This was MasteringPhysics)</p>
<p>Thanks Yenmor Gemini116! That’s reassuring, so it seems I’ll be buying my textbooks through Amazon.</p>
<p>yea, do not buy these textbooks from the third party sellers on amazon. If you really want to buy the book and access code on amazon.com, make sure that amazon is the selller.</p>
<p>The first thing to do is to determine whether or not your professor requires the supplemental stuff (CD or online) that the access code provides access to. If not, you’re good to go buy just purchasing the book alone.</p>
<p>If the instructor requires the book and the supplemental stuff, like “Wiley Plus” from Wiley Publishers, then your best bet is to buy all the materials from the college bookstore, where they will provide an access code with a used copy (must be some special arrangement with the publisher).</p>
<p>I was confused by this issue for several days. I saw the superior prices at Amazon and other places, but some sellers either stated that there were no guarantees regarding access codes for their books or they didn’t mention it at all. The good news is, Amazon will refund your money if your book does not come with a working access code, or so I have read in student reviews. Bottom line, it is not a good idea to attempt to buy the access code independently from the book (unless you buy the code directly from the publisher, which seems to be the most costly option).</p>
<p>One more thing, if your book is an International Edition it is unlikely that you will be able to obtain a working access code for it (in the U.S.A.), even if the book is brand new.</p>
<p>If an access code is required you can usually buy it from the course site without the book. You still probably wouldn’t be paying more than the college bookstore total if you had to do that</p>