<p>When do you buy textbooks?</p>
<p>I also want to know this.</p>
<p>My S attends Delaware and if I remember, after your schedule is set you can go online (bookstore link) and purchase it all. Then when you get there, you go to the bookstore give them your name and they are all there in a box for you. You will need a car to get them back to your dorm. Just when you order make sure you look at the right section because sometimes there are multiple sections (like Freshman English) and teachers require different books.</p>
<p>I was looking at the prices of the books if you buy them through the Delaware website. Even the used ones are all really expensive. Do you think it is a bad idea to buy all of the books online from other places? There is a great website that compares book prices, and most of the new books are much cheaper than the used ones that can be bought through the UDEL website.</p>
<p>I thought that you needed to know the ISBN of a book before ordering it online (elsewhere). The bookstore's website doesn't even list the year of publication. (And you want to make sure that you have the correct edition.) I agree that the price of the used books is outrageous!</p>
<p>Is there any way to get the ISBNs or editions of the books so we can order them somewhere else?</p>
<p>I would like to know this too - I'm afraid that you pretty much have to go to the school's bookstore and hope the textbooks for your class aren't all new & covered with cellophane or plastic.</p>
<p>Grrrr, I was afraid of that.</p>
<p>I really want to buy the books somewhere else and get the latest editions.</p>
<p>If you want to try to save some money, buy used books. The UD bookstore sells them, as does the Delaware Book Exchange, which is on Main Street. I think there's another used book store as well, but I can't think what it is at the moment. DD is a senior, and after first semester freshman year, when she bought everything new from the UD bookstore, she started buying used books whenever possible. You need to look them over carefully, because some of them are in really terrible condition. But if you don't mind someone else's highlighting, you can pick up used books for considerably less than new ones. At the end of the semester, you can sell your books back to the bookstore, but don't expect to get much for them. DD keeps many of her old books in case they come in handy some day, since the amount she would get for them is a pittance. Also, if the prof who is teaching the course has changed the book for next semester or next year, the bookstore probably won't buy it back. It feels like a scam at times, but it's the same way at every school I've ever visited. Meanwhile, don't order any books until you're sure of your schedule - returning books you don't need can be a pain. However, preordering is wonderful - it saves you from having to wade through rows and rows of books and then standing in line to pay. DD preorders whenever possible.</p>
<p>I agree with MarcyR. DON'T PRE-ORDER YOUR BOOKS. While it seems really easy and convenient in theory, the reality is that you'll end up back at the bookstore either returning books you don't need, or exchanging them for others. </p>
<p>My advice is buy them on main street used because you can get some great deals up there. Sure, the bookstore is great, but there are definitely other options. Shop around if you want a good deal. </p>
<p>Also, check out <a href="http://www.amazon.com%5B/url%5D">www.amazon.com</a> and see the USED books section when you search for your book. I think I've saved about $500-$600 doing so and ordering them online used. </p>
<p>Good luck!!!</p>
<p>--Mark</p>
<p>I pre-ordered most of my books online. However, I first e-mailed my professors and found out if the latest editions were necessary. I saved a couple hundred bucks.</p>
<p>Hey future Blue Hens. Get books from half.com You get to really save money, but some who sell never check their accounts so give some time to get it. Other then that I shop at Liebermans and the Book Exchange, all on Main St, bookstore is a big waste and you will pay a hefty premium. Oh yeah, and go to all the football games for me! I am headed to USC (not south carolina), the champions, yet I am still more interested in UD vs anybody.</p>