College Text Books

On August 28 2008 00:35 Equinox_kr wrote:
Yea, I just bought a Chem textbook for 215 =_=

OD expensive T_T

On August 28 2008 00:28 nA.Inky wrote:
You're right, KDog. It is a travesty. I have a class this semester. The book costs 147 new at the bookstore. If I buy it used at the bookstore, it is 112. The book isn't even a big book.

I never buy books from the bookstore. I buy them used online. I also try to go an edition or two back. Here's an example of what has happened using this method:

Abnormal Psychology class text book, new from bookstore: 120+ Used from bookstore:100.
Abnormal Psych text book used online in previous edition: *5 dollars INCLUDING SHIPPING*

The book, as far as I can tell, was hardly any different from the latest edition.

You can read about college textbook prices. It's all a scam. They release new editions every year and "bundle" the books with crap that no one needs or uses, like CDs and such. This allows them to keep the prices high, since it effectively reduces the supply of books (new edition is usually required by the class). This is just pure greedy capitalism. Too, the college bookstores are essentially a local monopoly, so they charge monopoly prices for the books.

Never buy new textbooks, and never buy books from your bookstore. Find out what books you need a week or two in advance, and check out fetchbook (I don't know the exact address, so google it - it will tell you the lowest prices you can get on a given book online at various websites).

The best way to beat the greedy bastards is by not buying from them.

On August 28 2008 00:45 JeeJee wrote:
half.com or option 2 (borrow from others)
i bought books for my first year and i feel a little silly now
you can always arrange to borrow a book from someone because people have classes when you want to study or they're doing something else etc etc. it also forces you to keep on top of your work because come crunch time, they'll be needing the book as well

also, depending on your library, you could borrow a book for the entire term. the late fees are usually nothing compared to actually buying the book (like $30 for 3 months). lately i found that this has been changing though =(

On August 28 2008 06:30 Hawk wrote:


This post is 100% accurate.

The only thing I can really add is go to the first class or two without the book. See if your teacher even plans on using it. I've had plenty of guys say straight up, they don't, despite it being mandated by the dept. Others say they do, and you realize real fast you won't, or maybe you'll use it once.

Buy online, ask other students. And, most of all, don't sell back to those greedy cocksuckers unless totally desperate. They will give you 15$ if you're lucky on 140$ book, and that shit will be back on the shelves for $100.