Where do you buy your textbook?

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · May 9, 2007

I am a new student and am curious about everything!
I've heard that some people buy their textbooks on the website (like Amazon, etc.) but I am also afraid of buying wrong books OR I buy them and later what If I find out the professor changes the textbook?!
Where do you buy your textbook? I just want to save $$$

Amazon.com! Before buying, make sure you've got the author, title, edition#, copyright date and ISBN (if possible). That greatly reduces any chance of getting the wrong book. When buying used books, look to see if they come with any supplements (online web access code or CDROM) that might be packed with a brand new text.

Yes, buying the books from your university bookstore is "safer", but you'll pay extra $$$ for that safety.

Also - if/when you buy books from Amazon.com, pay the extra $2 per book for "expedited shipping" (it costs ~$5.49 vs the usual $3.49). Otherwise, you might still be waiting for your book when classes start. This is especially true if you're on one end of the country and your seller ships the book via Media Mail.

Joelle001 · May 9, 2007

I have bought my texts at Barnes and Noble. Every college I have been to post a book list that will include the ISBN number. That is the number I go by. The other thing I did was get a Barnes and Noble membership. I saved enough on my first order which was my A&P text and lab book to pay for the membership and still save extra. I just ordered my Micro books for the summer between the discounts B&N give and the 15% percent off coupon they sent to members, I saved $60 something bucks off what the school bookstore was charging.

Oh yeah I forgot to mention these are new books. I like my own

elisabeth · May 9, 2007

My school bookstore has a website where you can click on your class and it will list the required and recommended texts. The ISBN numbers as well as the title and author are listed. Often there is also a photo, so I've had great success in ordering books less expensively online than I would have paid if I'd bought them at school. Try Ebay, half.com, Amazon, abebooks.com... You can Google your ISBN number and a lot of stuff should come up for you. :)

shippoRN · May 9, 2007

try textbooks.com

Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN · May 10, 2007

I buy all my books online. I make sure they are the ones I need by checking my schools website. I also make sure they are not international editions or teachers editions because I return them to the school bookstore when I am done with them (sometimes I come out ahead). Make sure you order early enough to get your books on time.

justme1972 · May 10, 2007

My school bookstore has their book list online so you can see the ISBN number...that way if you want to buy it somewhere else, you know the exactly what you are getting.

You search it by class and section.

eve5483 · May 10, 2007

I visited my school's bookstore website. and they're saying "It is the policy of the bookstore not to give out ISBN numbers through our website, via email, or over the phone" :uhoh3: Is it meaning that I can just go there and write it down?

Joelle001 · May 10, 2007

Yes. You have to go there to get the number. That is what my current school does as well

eve5483 · May 10, 2007

Thank you so much guys!

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · May 10, 2007

Always glad to help somebody else spend their money!

jnj818 · May 10, 2007

I go to bigwords.com. You can type in all the ISBNs and it will show you the cheapest places to get your books. You will actually be buying the books from places like amazon, barnes and noble, and textbook.com, but it will do the searching for you and find the least expensive combinations. You can also specify if you want new books. I have gotten new books through this website and saved close to 40% off the price at my school's bookstore. I bought used books for the summer. At the bookstore I would have paid about $275, and I got them through this website for just over $100. They are all in good condition aside from some highlighting and light wear and tear, but who cares when you've saved $175??