What is Digg?54 Comments
- JustinT9669, on 10/12/2007, -0/+16http://www.GetTextBooks.com
It searches all the online used books sites like half.com, amazon.com, etc. - ulmedas, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13The problem is not the college bookstore system (where would we be if those books were not available at that desperate last minute, if they were not nearly all available on campus,) the problem is the damned publishing industry. College bookstores love to sell used text books at 10 - 60 % off the jacket price. They make more money that way and they don't have to pay any shipping costs. Contrary to popular belief, very few college book stores make money on text books. In fact, a good majority of them loose money on the text book operations. All of the money comes from merchandise and merchandise licensing. That's why you school dumps all of that energy into marketing and sports programs. If comes back ten-fold.
Unfortunately, the publishing industry is always pushing the profs who write the books to do new editions, even when one is not needed. But of course they are under tons of pressure from the ceo's who are under pressure from the stock holders (i.e., the portfolio wielding parents of a large chunk of the student population...I know, not everyone is a rich kid, so if your parents don't own a portfolio, then I'm not talking about you) to make more money than they made during the same quarter last year....well, if everyone is trading used books, they ain't selling even the same number of books, much less more...unless they convince the authors to make new editions, forcing everyone to buy a new version for the upcoming semester... I love capitalism. So much wasted energy... - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+12Not that I condone copyright violations or anything, there were some less-than-scrupulous people that I knew in college that would chip in $10 to one guy that would go to the bookstore, buy a textbook, scan every single page in, save it as a PDF, return the book, then give a copy of the book to anyone that paid him. If you weren't in the "Pre-pay" group, it would cost you $20 for a copy of the PDF. Apparently it was a pretty daunting task requiring 8-12 hours for some books (including beer and bathroom breaks, of course.
That being said, it should be more than obvious that if someone is willing to put in that much time to avoid paying $100-$300 for a book that will possibly see little to no use, there's a big problem in the bookstore system. - phronko, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7My favourite line: "if your taking classes that require the purchase of classic literature books"
Not that spelling matters in an article like this, but it's a funny error in the context of classic literature. - mydickhertz, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7http://www.abebooks.com is also a good place.
- ggko, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4What ulmedas says, and your college bookstore only sells what your professors tell them to sell. That $130 math text you had to buy? Your professor (or the department,) selected that book, not the bookstore.
- ChaosIncarnate, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Or you can run spybot s&d or adaware or just reformat your hdd none of which are costly or difficult.
- MonkeyFarts, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3"College is a joke, and you'll figure that out when you breeze through without spending hundreds text you don't need to read."
Um, maybe it's a joke if you're going to an easy school, or the school you're attending is generally bad with your major, or you chose an easy major to begin with. - BenderFlexo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3been using http://www.bestbookbuys.com for 4 or so years... searches other sites
- hooptydo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3When buying used, don't be afraid to buy older editions. Way back in the early 90s, I bought a used Chemistry test book that was two editions out of date for just a few dollars. It really was not a problem. A few chapters were in a different order and some questions had changed, but nothing of importance. In fact, I would guess that the intro to Chemistry book being used today is probably not much different that the "out of date" copy I was using 15 years ago.
- jake8689, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5you could always buy used as well my friend saved a ***** ton of money
- cruelpupet, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I use http://www.valorebooks.com
Cupon Code: VICTORY
It givesfor 5% off purchases and 5% more given on buy backs. - ggko, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2> 1. Purchase The International Edition
Problem is to most students, the "most other places" the article mentions in the opening is the Border's store, Waldebooks, or other stores around town. Except for independent sellers, they're likely to be carrying the same US edition that the college bookstore sells. Not to mention the college bookstore is just the "messenger." They only bring in what the professors tell them to.
> 2. View Advertising For Free Textbooks
Need I say, "yecch?"
> 3. Borrow A Sample Copy
The fun begins when all 300 people in your chemistry lecture picks up on this tip!
> 4. Purchase Electronic Textbooks
Ok is you don't mind reading on the computer. But when you factor in printing costs, you might as well buy the text. It's professionally printed, bound, and at the end of the semester, you have something you can sell to the book buyer. Plus electronic texts have varying levels of DRM applied. Any one or more of the following may be applied (usually just the first one from what I've seen):
-use on one machine
-expires after the semester
-no printing
-time released chapters
> 5. Use the Library
Just about the only one I can fully stand behind, as I've done it myself. Some books are only used for a short time, so check the library. Renew as necessary; if you can't, check another library. - webkidd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2If you have a mac check out the textbook widget:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/search/textbookwidget.html - webkidd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Check out :
http://textbooks.bookwidget.com/ - billsil, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2get a buncha friends, each takes one book and copies it, and binds the book for everyone, share the load, bout $15-20 per book
- farkdog, on 05/20/2008, -0/+2Just jump on your local P2P network and download a .pdf of the sucker. I'm finding more and more of my textbooks, and solutions manuals, available for free online.
Everyone should scan their textbooks and put them out on P2P networks for everyone to get for free. - zmigliozzi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2i like the books with online codes for the e-book.... take a pic of the code, go home, free book :D
- fatdog789, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I guess the adware distributors must not like your common sense.
- edolfo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2From what I've been told by one of my professors, typically publishers don't authorize the use or creation of the international editions of books. That said, they do tend to be significantly cheaper.
- rhesuspieces00, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1http://www.fetchbook.info
http://froogle.google.com
Search by ISBN - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1the international one is not an uncommon one at my school. i've gotten textbooks in india during family visits for $5 that would be $120 in the US. many others who make frequent visits abroad do so too, and take requests for friends too, etc.
the library one doesn't work here because the library lets people check out those books often and doesn't always put them on reserve. if that happens, some bastion borrows the book and keeps it and by the time you get around to arguing that it should be on reserve and it should be recalled, the first two assignments have already been due. - merugo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1http://www.addall.com searches over forty different online book retailers, including AbeBooks and Amazon. This works not only for textbooks, but all books in general.
- linuxeventually, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Aargh! First off don't assume all software has ad-ware (depends on the reputability of the company).
Secondly, you are far less likely of being "infected" by running Linux or OSX (or just using security programs in Windows).
Third, is the most important point: software vs hardware - you do NOT have to buy a new computer each time you infect your OS with crap, simply reformat the partition (or use an anti-virus!). If you are too ignorant to understand the third point, you should return your computer to the store, say you are too stupid to own a computer, and leave. - drworthless, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I use http://www.affordabook.com to find the best price on books, it's a comparison engine.
- Salgat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I bought international edition for my electronics book. It was brand new and came with the same software, and aside from the soft cover, it was identicle on the inside. Saved 50 dollars, $120 for hardcover, $70 for international edition.
- ulmedas, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Also, bookfinder.com is super fantastic.
- Redchannel, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1On of the best ways to screw the bookstores it to trade books among your fellow class mates. That way we all only have to pay for the books once !
- webscribbler, on 01/04/2009, -0/+1Check out...
http://www.onlinedegreediscussion.com/free-college ... - rrrrw22, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1http://www.bookfaced.com/ is a way you can buy and sell from other people on your campus. Good service, but needs a lot of users to work.
- ggko, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1My school's bookstore website has an "textbook exchange" board where people can list their books for sale. To some degree, they created their own competition. Know what? Nobody uses it.
At least there's never more than 2 or 3 dozen ads, and I've never gotten a response to any of my listings (for various in-demand titles.) - sfacets, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1It's called the "collaborative scan system" - each person scans part of the book, then put it all together and give out copies. F* buying books.
- rhesuspieces00, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1These are neither "lesser known" nor "uncommon."
Use the library?! - ggko, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I bet you also rip all your CDs and DVDs then return the opened package to the store. You've just "damaged" that book for the actual, paying customer.
- MonkeyFarts, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1These tips don't really help me at all. You can only take advantage of buying the international version _if_ your book has an international version, and even then, it's a gamble; sometimes there really is a big enough difference between the two versions to potentially affect your work. As far as electronic copies go, I would much rather have a physical book. I don't need the hassle of relying on my computer 100% of the time, nor the expense of purchasing an e-reader. Sometimes I don't have access to it, like when it's charging up, or if it's in need of repairs, and it's simply much easier to work out of a physical book. And the library tip is next to worthless. If you rely on the library, then you're restricting the time that you can work to the times that the library is open. It's also a major pain in the ass to walk to the library to do your work (approximately 10 minutes of walking for me).
I'll just stick with buying used books online, thanks. - rlegions, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Purchase The International Edition:
I think this is generally a bad idea, unless you plan to keep the book. Most of the international edition textbook I bought have very low resell value. Plus most bookstore won't buy back the international edition. - democracysucks, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Don't know how many of you this will work for, but I can tell you it's been tried, tested, and approved by me:
DON'T BUY BOOKS. Of course, it might be hard to know which classes/books you can do this with, but find out if you can. I've made it through SO many courses without either 1) buying the books or 2) using them if I did buy them. And I still got almost all A's, and the fact that I didn't had little to do with not reading the books. I've even had professors tell use the second week of class that, hey, that book that cost 175 and was on the required list? Yeah, you don't really need it. It's just there incase you were interested in reading "more on the subject." Anyway, point is, you probably don't even need the books. College is a joke, and you'll figure that out when you breeze through without spending hundreds text you don't need to read. - starwed, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The "Not for sale in the United States" bit is unenforceable. They're just hoping that it deters people from buying such books. (And I've never had a problem with differences with the international editions of physics textbooks; typically, they're based off very early printings and so need some errata, but they're mostly word for word identical.)
- raybury, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I usually use Addall.com for book pricing from over 20 sources, which includes tax when applicable (e.g. if the seller is in my state) but seems to miss some of the textbook-centric sites at gettextbooks.com.
But also try Booksprice.com, where you can take a "cart" approach. E.g. books A, B, C, and D may have their lowest prices at sites 1, 2, 3, and 4, but it could be cheaper after shipping to buy all four books from site 5.
Check the return policy, though. Those who wait till the first class to get books are not always slackers. I got a book this year 2 1/2 weeks before class, found out a week before class that the instructor had changed, and did not realize until school started that the text had also changed. (This happens a lot less in Computer Science courses and in the small liberal arts college I attended before moving to the area of my current school.) Return policy at the online site: Two weeks. - inbredfantasy, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2I've never payed full price for a book. buying them used off amazon is the way to go.
- DrunkChimp, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0My wife finds great deals on Craigslist.org when looking for used text books. She also sells hers there, they get snatched up fast.
- snlildude87, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2http://dawgswap.com/ for UGA students.
- thepro1, on 11/23/2007, -0/+0I totally agree! I spent over $600 at an oncampus bookstore 1 time! I now use a price comparison website called SmartBookFinder.com, http://www.smartbookfinder.com. They search the major on-line bookstores for me and tell me where the lowest price is. That way I don't have to go to each one manually. I recommend you try them out as I have had very good luck with them. Cheers!
- ViperX116, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0I heard it's illegal for publishers to do that.
- eedoc, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0I bought an international edition (by accident... it was listed as the original version) and there were two problems with it. First, it said in big red letters on the cover "not for sale in the united states" and second, the problems at the end of each chapter were different, which I didn't realize until after a couple of problem sets. These are usable, if not legal, but you have to be careful and check it against a legitimate copy.
- hjjk, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0www.Valorebooks.com
Save up to 70% on your textbooks + get extra 5% discount by promotion code " HELLO93 "
You can sell your Un used textbooks to them and use same promotion code " HELLO93 " to get extra 5% more cash back. - jtrost, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2One of my favorite, but time consuming, tips is to make a photo copy of the chapters you will need the book for, then returning the book to the bookstore for a full refund.
- starguy, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1I would have to say, not having textbooks for my classes was the principal reason I flunked out an Ivy League college the first year. It was just obsene not to have the book for the course for a class. You were pretty much screwed for that course. And it was that way for a lot of classes... the books just weren't in the bookstore. Either they had never been bought, or more than likely they had all been bought up. The courses I didn't have books for, obviously, about all you can do is say to hell with them, you were phucked, and you scramble on the rest. Finally 3rd semester I just said to hell with it all. For the $17,000 I paid in tuition, and not to have the books I needed... to hell with it. Screw that madness. Even the poorest public school can provide its students with books.
There is no excuse for a college course not to buy the books needed by the students, pass them out at the beginning of the course, and collect them at the end of the course. If they don't have enough books, well, they better get enough, that's on the school's shoulders. If they want to require a deposit, thats fine, but still its on them, and it make sense. The books that get reused year after year stay right where they are needed, right with the professor or class that uses them. All in all, I'd have to say, colleges and universities are completly dumb and majorly negligent in this area. That's like step number 1 in education... get the book into the hand of the student, and then you go from there. For a college or university to fail at it, or simply say "hey, you're a big kid now, scramble, its not our problem" is a major disgrace.
My unversity circa 1986: Northwestern. Burn in hell, Northwestern. I never went back. To any college. Good job turning me off permanently to education. - woolston, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0or you could try www.tradeyourtextbook.com.
its free.
they're still working on it, but i think its close. -
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