Buying college textbooks can really stink. Books are so overpriced these days and there's no relief in site. However there are ways to get around the outrageous prices.
Here are some options that hopefully leave you with some cash in your wallet:
1. Amazon Student -- You can find textbooks up to 80 percent off via their textbook rental program. Go here to check it out. If you do have to purchase a textbook, try trading-in the book for Amazon credit when the semester ends. The Amazon credit can be significantly better than a college store buy back offer. Plus you can use the credit to pay for future book rentals.
2. E-books -- Barnes & Noble offers e-textbooks. You can go digital on your Nook and get up to 90% off college & used textbooks. Go here to see the discounts from Barnes & Noble valid on textbook purchases.
3. Stay out of the main bookstore -- This rule applies for those of you who hate to pay full retail for a textbook. Raise your hand if you're one of those people. Yep, a bunch of you are. This is the most expensive option. When you get your class syllabus start shopping around for textbook options.
4. Share -- Find a buddy to split the cost of the new book. Of course you'll have to determine if the buddy is trustworthy, easy to access, responsible and considerate. It may be just easier to buy the book. You also need to pre-arrange the buy back transaction. Agree to sell and split the profit before you agree to share the book.
5. Chegg.com -- This is a rent, sell or buy textbooks hub. You can save up to 90%, if you're lucky. However this can be a great source for editions that are out of date but still have the material you need. Go here.
6. Negotiate board ads -- You may start watching bulletin boards in the student center or near your classroom. Look for ads posted by individuals. Try to negotiate a fair price but be careful before you buy the book flip through it throughly. You don't want to get swindled.
7. Google Books -- You can search and purchase or borrow books through this cool store. I did a quick search for a graduate level course my husband is taking and found it for 40 percent off the price he would have paid purchasing it through the school. Go here to start searching.
8. Second hand book stores or the library -- If you're taking a literature class or have supplement books in addition to the main textbook check stores like 2nd & Charles or even the library.
BONUS tips -
Sometimes you can actually skirt through the class without buying the textbook. It's rare but don't feel bad if you can't find a deal on the book and you have to go without. Just take really good notes and use Google to look up concepts. Of course this won't work with every class.
ALSO -- If your professor insist on using their homemade textbook, you know one that's sprial bound at Kinko's - there's really no way to get around saving on that or selling it back. You'll more than likely have to just count it as a loss.