I just wanted to say, if you are careful, you can get new books much cheaper online. In fact even "used books" that I have ordered looked brand spanking new when I got them (with unopened CD's etc.). Also, usually they are delivered within 3-5 days.
I know this isn't exactly headline news. I know there have been posts about online textbook buying before, but I think it bears repeating. It really surprises me how few people actually do it.
Here is what I did:
Got the list of books containing the Name, Authors, Edition, year published and cost
Went to the college bookstore to get the ISBN numbers (no one at the college would give them over the phone -- big surprise)
Went online and searched for the books (you can even do this at AllNurses.com -- go to the top right of the screen and click on "books")
Found the cheapest new or used versions (including any shipping)
Ordered the books
Please, please, please give this a try. I saved a good $250 on my 1st semester nursing books. They were all pristine condition. Admittedly I did order them a month ago, so there was greater choice, but I bet there are still good deals.
I will be checking now to see what books the seconds semester requires and if my college will be changing editions. Then I have time to find screaming deals on them too.
Go forth and get a deal. Use the money you save for some cool gadgets for clinical or whatever.
Yes, it makes me mad when I think about how much the bookstore charges, then turns around and gives you very little when you sell them back, only to mark them up and make money AGAIN on the same book.
My school sells the books as a "package", and it has taken some ingenuity to make sure I have all the access codes we will need, but I think I did it. They sell the package for $1100, and I would say I paid half of that to purchase them used.
I've saved somewhere around $600 on books so far, with one to go. I got a free previous-edition copy on paperbookswap.com, and if I can't use that, it's actually cheaper to buy this one at the bookstore than online. Crazy.
With the money I've saved, I'll get a much nicer stethoscope and I'm having a few books rebound with spiral binding. I had them do it by unit, so I just have to bring whatever unit we're on, and if I want, the TOC, index, appendices, etc. I doubt I'll need those much, though.
If you didn't know, schools are now REQUIRED to give you access to the ISBNs for your books. They also have to give you the retail prices when you register.
In addition to the textbook price, universities must also provide the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) at the time of class registration. If the ISBN is not available, the book's title, author, publisher and copyright date must then be disclosed.
Another great place to buy your books online if you have the ISBN numbers handy is BIGWORDS.COM
That site pretty much takes all of the online bookstores and compiles a list of which site has your books and for what price in order of cheapest to highest. They even have the rental stores like Chegg and stores like amazon, ebay and such. I've found it super helpful because I've paid a total of $200 for all of my textbooks for my first semester of NS this fall and our school book store bundles all of the books for $500+. Eeepp!
Another tip that I have is to try to get the international editions of your book. Some books have international editions which are EXACTLY the same as the edition that you have EXCEPT it's in soft cover and it's more than 50% cheaper than the standard edition. Soft cover = less heavy&cheaper so it's a win-win situation :)
It's a little more work to find international editions because they have a different ISBN, but it's well worth it! My Nursing Fundamentals book even as an international edition/soft-cover weighs 20lbs! Imagine if it were hard-cover
I wanted to know if anyone had any advice on how to get my books when my school literally HIDES the name and ISBN number of the books we need so we have to buy them there at the bookstore. They come in a "bundle" .. Are they usually the same books from the previous semester? That way I could just ask someone who was already in the program? What to you think?
I wanted to know if anyone had any advice on how to get my books when my school literally HIDES the name and ISBN number of the books we need so we have to buy them there at the bookstore. They come in a "bundle" .. Are they usually the same books from the previous semester? That way I could just ask someone who was already in the program? What to you think?
According to the news article CMonkey posted. Starting July 1st, it's in effect now:
"In addition to the textbook price, universities must also provide the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) at the time of class registration. If the ISBN is not available, the book's title, author, publisher and copyright date must then be disclosed.
According to Section 133 of the HEOA, the purpose of these textbook provisions is to guarantee students have affordable class materials where prices for books, and options for discounts, are clearly spelled out."
Call the school and say to them according to the law that is in effect as of July 1, the Higher Education Opportunity Act REQUIRES the school to provide ISBN, book title, author, publisher and copyright date. Get a copy of the law and bring it to school. If that doesn't work talk to the manager of the bookstore since they have to know that it is now ILLEGAL for them to not provide this information.
I wanted to know if anyone had any advice on how to get my books when my school literally HIDES the name and ISBN number of the books we need so we have to buy them there at the bookstore. They come in a "bundle" .. Are they usually the same books from the previous semester? That way I could just ask someone who was already in the program? What to you think?
As of July 1 the cannot do that anymore. Federal legislation came into effect to prevent that sort of thing:
I think this 'bundling' practice is ridiculous. It means they group a couple books together, sometimes just the book and a study guide, and then they can assign it a new ISBN that you cannot find online! That is what I am dealing with now, trying to compare prices and figure out what is in this bundle for first year.
I think this 'bundling' practice is ridiculous. It means they group a couple books together, sometimes just the book and a study guide, and then they can assign it a new ISBN that you cannot find online! That is what I am dealing with now, trying to compare prices and figure out what is in this bundle for first year.
Somehow, the Evolve series by the publisher Elsevier seems to be able to still get away with this. They have a bundle and you have to purchase this in order to get an online access code that you need for all the books. The school has given us the ISBN, but it means nothing outside of the school bookstore. I am in the process of asking for more info from the bookstore.
Another trick is a 'custom' publishing, which gives an ISBN that is used only for a certain university. The university name will be on the front of the book, but the book inside will be identical. It is very hard to find the right book without all the info. Even when you can find it, students are worried they won't have the correct book.
I worked in the publishing field for 10 years....this new law is great, but I am not getting the access I was hoping for. I am buying my own NS books, and I have a son studying Chem Engineering. So from the perspective of my small CC and his large state university, I am not seeing full disclosure yet.
Another great place to find textbooks is on your local Craigslist. I have had great luck buying AND selling books this way. You don't have to pay shipping, and if you're selling, you don't have to pay the crazy seller's fees. Just make sure to meet the person in a public place. I usually meet in a busy gas station parking lot and bring my husband with me.
Matter of fact, I just purchased a nursing book for Block 2 for $30! It looked like brand new, AND she gave me the study guide that goes with it! I was watching one on ebay that sold for $74, and that was even cheaper than I could find it anywhere else. I got a smokin deal! The book is $120 new.
Anyways, just thought I'd throw that out there if anyone is interested in saving money!
The requirement that they textbook is listed with the course catalogue. I would wander into the college admin with a copy of the legislation and wave it around. Better yet go to the school or local news.
That custom publishing is a bit naughty. They tried that in one physiology class. Of course, it was still cheaper to buy the whole book second hand.
C-lion
151 Posts
Yes, it makes me mad when I think about how much the bookstore charges, then turns around and gives you very little when you sell them back, only to mark them up and make money AGAIN on the same book.
My school sells the books as a "package", and it has taken some ingenuity to make sure I have all the access codes we will need, but I think I did it. They sell the package for $1100, and I would say I paid half of that to purchase them used.