Recently I called my college bookstore to get an idea of how much my books will cost. They gave me the titles of the books but would not give me the ISBN. Also, when I went in to get my psych book they told me it wasn't in yet and it could take up to the first day of class to get it. When I asked for the ISBN, they wouldn't give it to me.
Just how crazy is that? I was just wondering if this is the norm or do all colleges do this?
My college bookstore would not let me look at the books unless I was buying them. The lady was quite rude about it. Said it was because it made all the other people in line behind me have to wait longer. There was nobody else in line at that time.
I was able to get titles and authors for a couple of books from a student who had just purchased them while I was there, but I ended up having to pay full price at the bookstore for several of the books.
I later found out that the course syllabi from the previous semester are available online at the college's website, and the book info is in each syllabus, including edition number. I will definitely use this source next semester so I can buy more of my books at Half.com.
I graduated from nursing school May of 2004. My school would pull this same crap not giving us the ISBN numbers in person or on the phone. Every semester the books would not come in until a few days before school started...not enough time to order books online.
Then I found out that our small bookstore on campus was owned by BARNES AND NOBLE!!! Go figure!
I graduated from nursing school May of 2004. My school would pull this same crap not giving us the ISBN numbers in person or on the phone. Every semester the books would not come in until a few days before school started...not enough time to order books online.
Then I found out that our small bookstore on campus was owned by BARNES AND NOBLE!!! Go figure!
Ugh! You are kidding! That's ridiculous! I can't believe those jerks!
My college bookstore would not let me look at the books unless I was buying them. The lady was quite rude about it. Said it was because it made all the other people in line behind me have to wait longer. There was nobody else in line at that time.
I was able to get titles and authors for a couple of books from a student who had just purchased them while I was there, but I ended up having to pay full price at the bookstore for several of the books.
I later found out that the course syllabi from the previous semester are available online at the college's website, and the book info is in each syllabus, including edition number. I will definitely use this source next semester so I can buy more of my books at Half.com.
Great idea! :)
But be careful to get the right edition. So many of my classes have worthless books after the semester is over due to a new edition, or a revision to the old book. I've really wasted a lot of $ this way.
When my school went to the online bookstore it would not give you the ISBN number nor would they tell you over the phone. Many of the students started going in and would find out the ISBN number... this worked fine as long as the books were in stock and we could check them. They also started emailing professors. There are a couple of things that I would be leary of though when doing it with just the title/author.
The first is to make sure that you know what edition the teacher is going to use. Dont always assume they will use the newest edition. Some teachers are hung up on the previous edition (my A&P professor was that way for one of his other classes)... also make sure to find out if the books you are buying are packaged. I know a couple of people that have had problems with one of my classes this fall. The online site just mentions the book name and the ISBN number, etc... doenst mention the fact that it is packaged with a study guide and CD... and the CD does not come with the book when you normally purchase it. SOOOOO... I did the half.com, amazon, etc and could not find the CD so I ended up buying the book from the bookstore for $150.50!!!!!
Recently I called my college bookstore to get an idea of how much my books will cost. They gave me the titles of the books but would not give me the ISBN. Also, when I went in to get my psych book they told me it wasn't in yet and it could take up to the first day of class to get it. When I asked for the ISBN, they wouldn't give it to me.
Just how crazy is that? I was just wondering if this is the norm or do all colleges do this?
My college is doing the same exact thing, except they will not give you the title of book either. When I went to the bookstore, I had to tell a lie and say I wanted to make sure I had the right books so I could look at the titles and memorized them. I was escorted to the books and the salesgirl held the books up. They are trying to prevent students from purchasing their textbooks from outside sources.
I memorized the face cover of my required books and purchased them used from Amazon. Can you believe they wanted over $100 for my Anthropology book?!!! I purchased it used for $48 at Amazon.
you know why dont you? I take the ISBN #'s and go to half.com and buy my books. They may not give you the #'s over the phone, but walk in there with a pen and paper and take them down. They wont stop you and really cant stop you. If that dont work ask your teacher for the #'s ( by e-mail a week or so before the class starts). I run into this all the time when buying my books....
I have been looking online for a good place to buy my books. I didn't know about that half.com, what kind of shape are your books in when you buy them over the internet? Have you gotten them in pretty good shape? That is my only worry, that they will be so beat up, because your buying them sight unseen.
I have been looking online for a good place to buy my books. I didn't know about that half.com, what kind of shape are your books in when you buy them over the internet? Have you gotten them in pretty good shape? That is my only worry, that they will be so beat up, because your buying them sight unseen.
I have only bought one book online in the past. Mine came in pretty darn close to perfect condition (the corner of the book may have had a small wear on it.. no biggy!)... generally the people selling the books will comment on the condition, if there is highlighting/writing, etc in the book. In most cases the books are in better condition or the same as the used in many campus bookstores. The only books I would be very careful about buying online are workbooks (lab mans, etc) because often the exercises have been used or removed from the book. Last semester was the first time I have ever been able to buy a used lab man... pretty cool... mine was in close to perfect condition but the other gal in our group had several pages missing from her book.
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.
I buy all my books from half.com if I have time. It can take up to 2 weeks to get them in the mail. The books I have bought have been just what the seller has described with the exception of one book. That book was good enough to use but the first chapter fell out when I opened it. You can get some great deals buying books like this. I had to get an American Gov book and at my college book store it was $100 but I ended up buying it for $4.50 with shipping; I think it was around $8.00 or something. Most of the time I can save around $40 per book. Just be sure you read all the fine print of the book details and get a high rated seller. Good Luck....
I have been looking online for a good place to buy my books. I didn't know about that half.com, what kind of shape are your books in when you buy them over the internet? Have you gotten them in pretty good shape? That is my only worry, that they will be so beat up, because your buying them sight unseen.
usually college bookstores have a period where you can return books for a full refund. If it comes to it, buy the book, get the ISBN and then return it, just make sure that you have the receipt. There are enough students that get financial aid for books that can purchase them at the college bookstore (the only place they can use their f.a.), I don't see why they have to be so rude about it. The easiest of course is to go into the bookstore with a pen and paper and write down the title, author, edition (important) and isbn.
LKG6
1,275 Posts
I usually look up my books' title, author and edition here: http://www.efollett.com/
Then I buy them somewhere else.
Katie