<p>Hi all- Do most people purchase textbooks at the bookstore or online? Is there a preference for buying books over renting them? Regardless, what is the primary reasons for students visiting bookstores?</p>
<p>I buy and sell online directly for general books, but occasionally there’s a teacher that likes to use a custom book that I have to get at the bookstore on campus. Craigslist is also a good contender if you find the right listing. </p>
<p>For students in the bookstores, some of them receive grants and aids that are paid directly to the school and can be used out of the student’s account. The money is not actually given to the student, so they don’t have the opportunity to shop around. A time or two the bookstore beat out online listings and saved myself the hassle of shipping.</p>
<p>I always buy textbooks online. Always. Also, you should look into the “international editions”. Often they are exactly the same but cost 150$ cheaper; as was the case with my Calculus book.</p>
<p>I buy everything on Amazon.</p>