Textbooks
From BeavrWiki
Contents |
Selling Textbooks on Wikipedia
For more information on selling textbooks, check out the selling textbooks article on Wikipedia.com.
How to Save on Textbooks
Textbooks can be an extremely expensive part of attending college. On the other hand, textbooks are one of the few things of which in college that you can somewhat control the cost. There are many ways to save money on textbooks. Some of the ways offered by Oregon State University students are listed below.
Buying
First, before you buy textbooks make sure you need them for the class. Sometimes professors don't require them because they only use the textbooks a few times throughout the term. In this case don't purchase them, rather save yourself $70 and check the book out at the library. Usually there is a copy of each textbook on reserve at the library.
Buy Online
One of the easiest ways to save money on textbooks is to buy online. It is not wise, however, just to jump on the internet and look for the textbook that relates to your specific class and then just buy it. The best way to save is to do some research.
To begin, after registering for your classes print out a detailed schedule of your classes at least one week prior to the start of class. Next, take this schedule down to the OSU Bookstore and make note of all the textbooks that you need to buy for the next term. This is one of the most important parts of the buying process because many times there are different editions of the same book, books with the same title but differing authors, etc. It is imperative to make sure that you perform this step so that you will not have to return books. To make good notes while in the OSU Bookstore of what books to buy, use this checklist:
- Write down the textbook title exactly.
- Write down the author or authors.
- Write down the ISBN as it appears on the copyright page at the beginning of the book. (This is important as the bookstore may put a sticker over the ISBN on the back of the book and can be misleading)
- Write down the price of the book new with OSU discount.
- Write down the price of the book used with the OSU discount.
- Note if the book is only available in the OSU Bookstore as a special edition, etc.
Next take the list you have just compiled and search the internet for used or new textbooks. Good places to look are half.com and amazon.com. The most accurate way to search for a textbook online is to do an ISBN search as this is unique to every book. Make sure to compare the title and author to the textbook listing online. Also be sure to make sure that CD's, workbooks, problem sets, etc. are included with the book if required by the instructor. This next part takes time but it is worth it if you want to save money. You now have to compare prices and find the best price. Do not forget to factor in the cost of shipping. Take the cheapest prices including shipping that you found for all of the textbooks you are looking for and compare them to the prices at the OSU Bookstore. Sometimes the books are cheaper to buy at the OSU Bookstore. Only after you have performed all of these steps are you free to buy textbooks accordingly.
Buying Textbooks at the OSU Bookstore Classifieds
In order to buy textbooks at the OSU Classifieds, simply log into the OSU Textbooks section of the OSU Bookstore website. Next, click on "Search Classifieds." The next step is to acquire the ISBN, title, and author of the book you are looking to purchase. This is most easily accomplished by physically going to the OSU Bookstore and writing down this info from the listing of books needed for a particular class. Take careful note of the edition and any other unique information. Next, simply enter the information gathered, into the OSU Textbooks "search classifieds" section. Click search and browse the list of textbooks. Finally, email the seller and make a bid. The seller will get back to you soon and then the two parties can make arrangements for pick-up or shipping.
Buying Textbooks at a Local Bookstore
This is a good alternative to buying at the OSU Bookstore. This method on average is not as thrifty as buying online. Nonetheless, this is a worthy alternative to buying at the OSU Bookstore. The main advantage of this method is that it is convenient compared to looking through all of the options online. Be careful when buying from a local bookstore however, as local bookstores may have older editions of the textbook you are trying to buy.
Selling
Selling Textbooks at the OSU Bookstore Classifieds
In order to sell textbooks at the OSU Classifieds, simply log into the OSU Textbooks section of the OSU Bookstore website. Next, click on "Sign Your Books Up." Enter in your email address from which you wish to be contacted regarding you textbook sales, the ISBN, title, author, and asking price for the textbooks you wish to sell. You can enter in up to five textbooks at one time. Then, simply click on the "continue" button and wait for someone to make an offer to buy your book. Check your email at least once per day in order to display a good reputation to your potential buyers. Once someone emails you, negotiate if needed and then set up a location for pick-up or set up a shipping method. This is an easy way to sell back your books since you do not necessarily have to package and ship your textbooks, as the people buying from you are likely live on or near the OSU campus.
Selling Textbooks at the OSU Bookstore
Selling textbooks at the OSU Bookstore is easy as you simply drop your books off at the "Buy-Back" counter in exchange for cash. This method, however, is not the best way to make your money back from the original purchase of the textbook. The OSU Bookstore will only offer pennies on the dollar from what was originally paid for the textbook.
Selling Textbooks at a Local Bookstore
This method of selling textbooks is only slightly better than selling to the OSU Bookstore. The advantage however to selling to a local bookstore is that you may be able to sell older edition books that otherwise may go unsold.
Selling Textbooks Online
Many of the listed external links below, allow you to sell your textbooks on their website. You register yourself with a username and password, and then put in the textbooks ISBN number. The website company will post your textbook and their website so when someone else goes to search for a textbook, your available textbook will show up. You pick the price and include the condition and comments about the textbook. When you sell your textbooks online you are responsible for shipping, so make sure to include shipping costs in the cost of the textbook.
