How To Find Cheap College Textbooks 

This guide is for you if you want to find the best ways to save money on your college textbooks. 

Let’s face it, buying textbooks is a pain. It’s expensive, and you probably use it for only a semester. And if you use them for all the semesters, you won’t need them after completing your education. 

Thankfully, there are numerous resources to help you find cheap college textbooks. This guide will explore all the options available. 

With that said, let’s begin. 

Best Places To Buy Cheap College Textbooks 

First, don’t buy your textbooks from your college bookshop. Many students don’t realise they can find the best websites to sell books. So they fork over their money for pricey textbooks from schools.

If you’re looking for cheap college textbooks, you might want to consider these other online marketplaces:

1. BookDeal 

When it comes to selling textbooks online, there aren’t many better options than BookDeal. A few minutes of your time are all it takes to complete the sale!

Here’s how the process works: Enter your ISBN, get a shipping quote, and deliver your textbooks for free. You’ll get paid once the chosen vendor has received your books. Typically, it takes five business days.

Furthermore, BookDeal has a policy called BookDeal Guarantee, which sets them apart from its competitors. The policy ensures that you get paid for what you quoted. 

2. Chegg 

Chegg provides fast access to countless textbook quotes when you enter the ISBN into the website. After receiving a quote that you are happy with, you can ship the textbook back to the company at no cost.

From their website, you can print your free shipping label. After that, you can ship your package to a UPS shop near you. According to their website, Chegg promises to pay you as soon as possible.

Shipping and processing, on the other hand, usually take 10 to 15 business days.

3. Valore Books 

ValoreBooks offers reasonable prices for buying and renting textbooks. They also allow you to sell your college books for affordable prices. Type in the ISBN, title, or author in the search box 

to begin your search. 

A pricing comparison between brand-new and gently used textbooks will appear. Alternate pricing for books may include international, teacher, or prior editions. You can also examine alternate edition pricing for books.

Purchasing is as simple as adding a book to your shopping cart. Other marketplace pricing, including shipping information and expenses, can be found by scrolling down the page.

4. CampusBooks 

CampusBooks finds great deals on college textbooks by scouring the web for the lowest rates. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Chegg are all represented in one convenient location. You can also opt to rent rather than buy in some cases.

After the semester, click the Sell button and enter the ISBN of the book you want to sell to get your money back. In addition to pricing projections, the portal will provide a list of buyback websites.

Best Price Comparison Tools To Buy Textbooks 

If you decide to search bookshops and websites to find cheap college textbooks, the first half of the semester will pass you by. And you may not even find the perfect book price. 

But you can reduce the time by using price comparison tools such as BigWords, The Book Racket, SlugBooks, StudentRate Textbooks, etc. 

These tools aggregate book pricing from all the big sellers, provide alternatives for buying new or used, renting, or receiving e-books, and even compute shipping rates.

Essential Tips When Comparing Different Prices 

Keep these two factors in mind when comparing the costs of different websites, book formats, and bookstores: 

• Price comparison tools don’t track all the stores and channels you can purchase books from. One example is the textbook exchange between students, which is impossible to track using any system.

• In the long run, selling your books can save you money if you’re willing to put in the effort. In this situation, rental or e-book versions may cost more than a print edition with a higher sticker price.

If You’re Tight On Budget, Hit The Library

You should check the library if you’re searching for textbooks on a tight budget. You can find some options available: 

You may be able to borrow a textbook from the library. However, the versions available for checkout are subject to change without notice, so don’t rely on them.

Your professor may have placed a few copies on reserve. This means you can use the book in the library for a few hours after you check it out. This is fantastic for books you won’t need very often. 

However, you may face a massive challenge during your finals. So find a way to be ready for your final paper. But if you can’t, it’s better to rent a textbook, which is cheaper than buying a new book. 

Remember: there are other libraries in your area besides your university’s, so be sure to check them out as well. 

Tips For Finding Cheap College Textbooks 

1. Rent Your Textbooks

To save money on college textbooks, consider renting them instead of purchasing them outright. Some websites, such as Campus Book Rentals, allow you to rent textbooks online or in hardcopy for the duration of your semester. 

While this is an option, shopping around for the best price before renting is essential.

2. Share Your Textbooks With A Friend 

The cost of books can easily reach hundreds of dollars for multiple classes, even if you can buy used textbooks or rent them.

The good news is that splitting the cost of your textbooks with a fellow student can save you up to half. In addition, books can be significantly less expensive if you and your partner decide to split the bill.

If you’re in different time slots for the same class, this idea works best if you can pass the book between sessions. 

Final Thoughts 

The cost of college textbooks can significantly add to the total cost of your education. So consider your options before buying your books from the school’s bookstore. Rent, buy, or find a free copy of the textbooks you want.

You can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars throughout your college career if you can find cheaper versions of your textbooks. 

However, remember that you can sell your textbooks for a reasonable price when you complete the semester. So, you may need to buy some books. The choice depends on your situation, so choose wisely.