Renting Textbooks

caliotter3 · Feb 18, 2010

You save a good portion by renting, more on some than on others. The trick is to rent an edition older than the latest. I did this last term for a book that the instructor had specifically said it was ok to do (because the old edition was listed and he had the old edition; he didn't get the new edition until class was almost over). The rental for one edition old was only $11.99.

scholarshipboy · Feb 18, 2010

Have any of you ever went the route of renting textbooks for a few of your classes? Did you find it worth it or a waste of money? I know for courses that you probably will reference throughout school, buying the books are better. However, for those other ones where even used copies are ridiculous, would you suggest rental?

i rented my biochemistry book for a semester i never ever want to see that book again(it was hard but i got an A) so i saved a good chunk of money.But when it comes to nursing books something that is ALWAYS going to help you for refferences i suggest you buy them

Mineee45 · Feb 19, 2010

yes renting texts work

Carrie_MTC · Feb 19, 2010

I think your better off using amazon or another source to buy used textbooks than renting. Renting a textbook for a semester usually is about the cost of a used textbook. Plus then you have to worry about shipping it back.

bernbabybern820 · Feb 20, 2010

Most cost effective would be buying a used textbook and selling it immediately after you are done with the class. I thought that it would be really hard to sell books but it's pretty simple.

shortnorthstudent · Feb 20, 2010

I have rented text books a couple of times. In fact, I'm renting my physiology text right now.

I have found that my college seems to change texts fairly often. I have gotten stuck on more than one occasion with texts I couldn't sell because the college changed. So, I've switched to renting texts I know I won't need. One good thing is that the company has a 30 day money back guarantee. So, if I discover the prof won't actually be using the text, I can send it back and not pay a dime. Return shipping is included in the cost. Try chegg. I've had very good luck there.

itsmejuli · Feb 20, 2010

I rent books I know I have no intention of keeping, like statistics and humanities. I got burned buying an ethics book that I couldn't sell at the end of the semester.

If you rent from Chegg you don't pay to return the book.

caliotter3 · Feb 20, 2010

Have to pass along this warning. Be careful with Chegg. They did not acknowledge receipt of a CD that was included in the same box as the other texts that I returned, even after I sent many emails and called them about it. They have my credit card info and they used it already to charge me again for late fees. I worry that they have carte blanche to charge my credit card for the CD that is in their possession. Perfect example of why a person should never give out their credit card info to do routine business!

thinwildmercury · Mar 3, 2010

renting is the way to go! they're cheap you get them for as long as you need and then they take it off your hands free of charge. well, chegg does, anyway. plus you plant a tree each time you rent and they give you something free. (i've gotten a pen and a bracelet lol). not a bad deal :)

Fitzy819 · Mar 3, 2010

Most cost effective would be buying a used textbook and selling it immediately after you are done with the class. I thought that it would be really hard to sell books but it's pretty simple.

I agree with this. This is what I have done previously and if the book is kept in good condition, then you can usually end up getting most of your money back when you resell the textbook.