The yearly "don't buy books thread"

[Tin]

Rent them...

URI Bookstore = $560

Chegg = $164

My sister saved even more money than on Chegg by going to bookrental.com.

[bowfish12]

Looks like I'll save $80 on the three books I have to get. 

That bookrental.com takes me to textbooks.com.  Is that what you were referring to or bookrenter.com?

[Root beer]

I made a post couple weeks ago on how to determine if you are better off renting or buying. I thought it was beautiful piece of work. 

[bmadd]

I saved over $400 on the quote for USED textbooks from my UTM's bookstore. I'm pretty happy.

[SDoolittle]

A couple of weeks ago, I was in the campus bookstore looking for books for next semester. I found one that was marked 50% off, so I opened it up, and the whole thing is in reverse. Page one is at the back of the book and vice versa. I guess I'm going to have to get used to it because I couldn't pass it up at that price.

[bweave09]

A couple of weeks ago, I was in the campus bookstore looking for books for next semester. I found one that was marked 50% off, so I opened it up, and the whole thing is in reverse. Page one is at the back of the book and vice versa. I guess I'm going to have to get used to it because I couldn't pass it up at that price.

hahaha if you find anymore let me know...id take it at half price

[Branuss04]

I second that.  Books would have cost me $600.  Got them at chegg.com for $200

[swilly78]

Ok, forgive my ignorance, but I went the military route, and then into the trades, so no college.  Im curious as to how many books we are talking about for these insane prices.  Im hoping 600 bucks gets you at least 6 books........ :-?

[SDoolittle]

Ok, forgive my ignorance, but I went the military route, and then into the trades, so no college. Im curious as to how many books we are talking about for these insane prices. Im hoping 600 bucks gets you at least 6 books........ :-?

I spent about $225 on two books. If not for the one  marked 50% off, it would have been about $275.

[Hookemdown.]

I'm a bio major, and most of our materials are "university specific."  It's ridiculous.  I usually save a little by buying what I can off Amazon.

I actually think I'm better off buying most of my books off Amazon and Half.com, then selling them back to the bookstore.  I actually MADE MONEY last semester doing this (not counting unreturnable items, such as lab materials)

For instance, a brand new Organic Chem book lists for $213.  I paid $110 for it on Half.com.  I could have rented it from Chegg for $62 a semester.  But, I will use this book for 2 semesters, so it would actually be cheaper for me to buy it, then sell it back. 

[Root beer]

Ok, forgive my ignorance, but I went the military route, and then into the trades, so no college. Im curious as to how many books we are talking about for these insane prices. Im hoping 600 bucks gets you at least 6 books........ :-?

ONE of mine accounting book is 230 bucks. Just for one book. As you get into upper level classes the books get more expensive.

I had about 4-5 books over 200 bucks brand new. Each. I either rent them, get it cheap from Barnes and Nobles authorized sellers, or borrow from a friend who had the class before me. I spent maybe $200 bucks so far this year on 4 books. rented 3 from Chegg got the other from Barnes and Nobles authorized seller. I still need a marketing book, but it a loose leaf book which only cost 50-80 bucks at bookstore, but you cannot return loose leaf books. :

I had an economic book during my 1st year before I discovered Chegg, I bought it for 190 bucks at bookstore, and at end of semester I couldn't sell it back.

Edit: Barnes and Nobles authorized sellers have some good prices. Chegg didn't rent out my management science book and instead of spending 155 at the book store, I got it 55 bucks from the authorized seller. I got a calculus book from an authorized seller for 20 bucks. Granted I couldn't sell calculus book anywhere at the end of semester, but I was glad to take a $20 loss than a $140 loss.

[Tin]

My total was for three books. My sister had to buy a chem book that ended up being $224 on campus and $47 online.

[bmadd]

My 4 book estimate was aroudn $650 for used books at my campus bookstore. I want to see a Cribs episode for textbook publishers.

[Tin]

The bookstores make out good as well. The difference between used and new now seems to be about $20 to $40 max. So they sell a $100 book, buy it back for $40, and then sell it again for $80. repeat...only you keep the used price at $80.

[.dsaavedra.]

d**n. wish i saw this before today... just spent a ton on used books in the bookstore yesterday.