Seeking experiences with bookrenter.com

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Good day everyone:

Have any of you used bookrenter.com to rent books? If yes, what was your experiences in terms of the quality of the book you received (i.e. how used, worn, highlighted) as well as the ease of returning the book after a semester (i.e. was it hassle free)?

Thank you.

Specializes in Psychiatry.

I have used bookrenter many times and never had a problem. As long as your package is postmarked by the due date, it doesn't matter if they receive it late. I have always received my books within 5 days and never had an issue with returns. All of the books have been in very good condition as well.

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I use half.com or amazon based on prices. Both are easy to return too. Never had a problem.

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I use only Chegg or Amazon. Some of the books I've gotten from Chegg have been a bit beaten up or marked up but they're definitely better than paying $150+; in some cases I rented for a tiny fraction of that, or even bought the used text for around the same price as the rental. I've tried a few other sites early in my college career but wasn't happy with their shipping times or the prices. I have always received my books from chegg within five days of ordering. Shipping is really easy, you pick which books you want to send back on the website, they generate a pre-paid shipping label, and you take it to a UPS store. I was even late by a couple of days once and they didn't charge me for not having the books to UPS on time. I didn't even realize it was late until I printed the label- oops! They sent an email and it said something along the lines of since it was the first time I won't be dinged, but to remember to have them back by the due date from now on. I kinda love that company.

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Not sure about the service you're inquiring about, but when I was in school, I did have luck on ebay with buying softcover foreign edition books for a fraction of the price of U.S. hardbound books. Only difference is some photos were missing, otherwise were the same. I was able to get a two psychology, two A&P and maybe one other one this way. Resold them on ebay again afterwards for almost what I paid. I saved about 70%. Just check edition numbers.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I have used both bookrenter and campus books. Have had no trouble with either. I did have one book that was a hardcover book that had a lot of highlighting (I don't highlight) but it was an older edition that the instructor had chosen, but it was ok. As far as them claiming that they don't get them back, you can get a receipt from UPS that shows you shipped it. I have been renting books for over a year and had no trouble. It really does save a ton of money.

I found them really quick, too.

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I used an international edition of my A&P book for half the price of the new US text. When you're paying $150 for a text on a student budget, it makes a huge difference. As far as the text quality is concerned, it appeared to be identical to the US edition and wasn't missing anything at all.

As for the complaints about bookrenter.com, I can only say that I had a good experience with them when I was in school a couple years ago. Haven't rented from them recently.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Thank you everyone for sharing; it has all been very helpful.

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I used bookrenter for only one semester. With the exception of a couple pages that had been torn out and sloppily taped back, the books were in pretty good condition. There was some damage to the covers due to the lack of packing material which provided little protection from the rough handling in transit. I documented and reported the damage immediately and wasn't charged for anything extra at the end of the semester. However, because I've been able to buy used books at prices comparable to renting, I doubt that I will rent again. By reselling the used books my cost for books has been very manageable. A student at my school started a Facebook page where we can connect with other students to buy/sell/trade textbooks. Through the FB page, I found someone who was leaving the nursing program and getting rid of all their books for a fraction of the cost. Unless there are additions to the list of required books, I'm set for the next two years! (except for access codes) Oh.....also check fetchbook.com.

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Specializes in OMFS, Dentistry.

I SWEAR by bookrenter! I rented all my pre req books from them. All have been in perfect shape. They even allow you to mark/highlight in them.(although I never did) The best part is the free shipping both ways!

Also, you can buy out the book at anytime. I did this once. I always scour the net for pricing and bookrenter is always the cheapest.

I've NEVER had an issue with them saying they didn't receive my return. I save the box and when I'm ready, just print the shipping label and tape up the box. Done!! Easy Peasy.

I highly recommend them. I've been a happy customer since 2011!

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Specializes in OMFS, Dentistry.
Good day:

Thank you everyone for your responses. Today in a Facebook group restricted to those in my college, a pearson responded to a similar question I asked to the FB group with the following concerning statements:

"Bookrenter.com likes to claim that they did not receive the books back even with confirmed tracking via ups. They will charge your credit card or any card that has ever been associated with your account late fees, extended rental fees and buyout fees. Some people have been taken for hundred of dollars followed by hundreds more a few weeks later. BookRenter has a ton of complaints on their fb page, with the BBB, the PA State Attorney's Office and many more. Read the reviews before giving them your CC info!!!"

Thoughts?

Thank you.

Yes. They do charge you to extend your rental. But that's after giving you several days grace period from the due date and a few emails. So.... If you are irresponsible and ignore your emails and don't mail it back, they will charge you to extend it for two weeks. If they receive it back before the two weeks is up, it gets prorated. BTW: once it gets scanned at UPS, you are already credited as it being returned.

They don't just charge you for no reason. For the past 3 years I've been very happy with them. I'm going to rent supplemental books and buy my nursing ones.

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bookrenter and chegg are great! Don't rent a lab book though as the pages will be written in and or torn out! Why they would even rent out a book like that is beyond me. I recently ordered a new book from a different site and two weeks into my class they sent me an email saying "we are issuing you a refund, sorry for the inconvenience". No other explanation! Returning books to both bookrenter and chegg is super easy, just print return label online and drop of at UPS location (I usually go to staples on my way to school).

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