Why do people rent text books?

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So far, I've been able to sell my used books for about what I paid for them (I always buy them used), except the consumables like lab packets. Renting costs almost as much as a used book and then the money is gone - there is no option to sell it afterwards. So, why do people do it?

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I can buy my MIcro book used for around 170 or I can rent it for 50.... I might be able to find someone to buy it for 170...maybe....I know the bookstore will only give me around 40 for it....so for me...renting is smarter.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
So far, I've been able to sell my used books for about what I paid for them (I always buy them used), except the consumables like lab packets. Renting costs almost as much as a used book and then the money is gone - there is no option to sell it afterwards. So, why do people do it?

I've never rented a book, but my thoughts...Renting can be cheaper (renting doesn't always cost just as much as a used book), used books aren't always available, it's not always possible to re-sell a book (new or used) after a semester is finished, and, most of all, people rent textbooks because they want to :)

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Specializes in CNA.

I totally understand what you mean. I would not rent a book that cost 113 when buying the book cost like 127. I can understand if the bookstore is selling a book for $100 and they rent the book for like $40 then i would rent it but that is never the case. so im with you what is the point of renting text books??

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People rent textbooks because not everyone is able to afford a $250 A&P book. And there aren't endless amounts of used books available. So, renting is the way to go especially when you don't have a significant income.

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In addition, college bookstores don't ALWAYS buy the book back. If they have updated the book to a newer addition book then they won't buy your book back and you are stuck with an outdated book that no one wants.

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I like to rent because for pre-req classes like Psych and Art and things like that, I don't care about keeping the textbook. So by renting, I can use the book and then don't have to worry about finding someone to take it off my hands. I ususally do this when the book costs $100 or more and I can rent the book for $40 or $50. If I'm never going to use the book again why buy it? There is no guarantee that I can sell the book to someone for the same price I paid, but renting and being able to send back is guaranteed. Also my books are brand new when I rent so it's not like I'm getting a raggedy book. Where do you look at to rent books? From ehat I have seen to buy used and to rent is not the same price, renting is cheaper than buying used most of the time. Unless the book is cheap to begin with which is rarely the case. The most I have paid to rent is $50, for my textbooks the cheapest used book I have seen for any of my classes thus far was $70. I'm saving $20 right there by renting a book I only need for one class for my entire college education. Again, unless the book is already cheap to buy new, which from what I have seen is rare, I would rather rent.

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answers to questions:

if i'm never going to use the book again why buy it? no guarantee.... because i don't have to get all of the money back to be ahead. so far, i have but even if i get half as much as i paid and only on half the books, i'm still far ahead. because i don't have to worry about accidents to the book. because i may someday want to highlight in the book or write in the margins. i think these offset the risk of not finding a buyer. i don't really look for a buyer, they just go back on amazon.

where do you look at to rent books? the only place i've looked at renting is from the school bookstore. incidently, they were mostly pretty raggedy, the school is obviously renting the same books multiple terms. on the other hand, i could care less whether the book is beat up (i detest writing or highlighting on the text or margins though... so far i've been able to find used books on amazon that specify they don't have that).

nursinghopeful, but you don't need to find someone to buy it for $170 if you find someone to buy it for $116, you still break even. ----- $170 for a used book???? you might try waiting a week or so and looking again; on amazon, at least, the prices fluxuate a lot near the ends of terms and the beginnings of terms.

karebear, that happened to me a lot before amazon, it was very frustrating. the thing is, though, that schools change editions at different times. even when that happens now, i end up ahead of renting because either my school changed behind others so i bought the book for less than when only the newest edition is out or my school changes ahead of others and i still sell to the others. in the later case, i take a hit on the prices but still not as much of a hit as renting.

anyway, i was just curious and wondering about it.

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answers to questions:

if i'm never going to use the book again why buy it? no guarantee.... because i don't have to get all of the money back to be ahead. so far, i have but even if i get half as much as i paid and only on half the books, i'm still far ahead. because i don't have to worry about accidents to the book. because i may someday want to highlight in the book or write in the margins. i think these offset the risk of not finding a buyer. i don't really look for a buyer, they just go back on amazon.

where do you look at to rent books? the only place i've looked at renting is from the school bookstore. incidently, they were mostly pretty raggedy, the school is obviously renting the same books multiple terms. on the other hand, i could care less whether the book is beat up (i detest writing or highlighting on the text or margins though... so far i've been able to find used books on amazon that specify they don't have that).

nursinghopeful, but you don't need to find someone to buy it for $170 if you find someone to buy it for $116, you still break even. ----- $170 for a used book???? you might try waiting a week or so and looking again; on amazon, at least, the prices fluxuate a lot near the ends of terms and the beginnings of terms.

karebear, that happened to me a lot before amazon, it was very frustrating. the thing is, though, that schools change editions at different times. even when that happens now, i end up ahead of renting because either my school changed behind others so i bought the book for less than when only the newest edition is out or my school changes ahead of others and i still sell to the others. in the later case, i take a hit on the prices but still not as much of a hit as renting.

anyway, i was just curious and wondering about it.

i dont rent mine from the bookstore i rent them online, and they are far from ragged. renting online works best for me..and its been cheaper than buying and then having to deal with the headache of getting my money back. i work full time, take care of my children, and go to school...just dont have the time or patience to deal with selling books.

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I rent my books from the internet. My school doesn't offer that service. I generally get them in really good condition. I rent because it is much cheaper. I took a Psych class in Spring 2010. I actually BOUGHT the book (spent about $100 or so) and I failed the class and was unable to sell the book to anyone. It's an edition 4. I am taking the class again and of course they upgraded to the 5th edition. I spoke with the professor and she said that I had to have the new edition. I am not going to own two useless books so I rented the new one for about $60ish.

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Specializes in Cath Lab/ ICU.

Chegg.com

I rent from my iPhone, get free shipping back, get a quality book rigt away, and they plant a tree for each book I rent.

I could NEVER get even half of what I spent on a used book at the bookstore, and I'm not gonna wait in line to attempt it either. Then many times, they change the edition and then you are hosed.

Nursing ethics book new: $150

Used at bookstore:$99

Chegg: $39

Why would anyone NOT rent ???

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I rent at chegg.com too. I really like that you can return your books within 20 days of purchase if you find that you don't need or can't use it or dropped the class or whatever. You can get a full refund. I've had to use that feature before and let me say it's really nice to work with a company that works with you.

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