In related post, "A Cheaper Way to Access TextBooks", we proposed that students studying in the USA, rent their textbooks versus buying them outright in order to shave hundreds of dollars off their textbook costs.
We mentioned a book rental website, ecampus.com, specifically set up for this purpose.
However, if you'd rather buy your textbooks and you're located outside of the USA, then there are three (3) ways in which you can purchase your textbooks at reasonable costs:
1) Buy an inexpensive, but durable, Android tablet or Kindle Fire
(The key, here, is to find a device that makes reading books, easy on the eyes and one that can be used to access other apps to help you do your assignments and projects efficiently, thus eliminating the need to purchase a desktop computer.
Please use the WiFi versions of these devices to eliminate your phone company or Internet Service Provider's data charges).
2) Download your textbooks in ebook format from Amazon's Kindle Store
3) Obtain your textbooks in paper format from BetterWorldBooks.com.
Although BetterWorldBooks.com textbook prices are on an average 80-150% of retail price (i.e. the price you'd pay on Amazon.com
Yes, no matter where you are located, globally, they'll ship your textbooks to you for free!
(The shipping cost is factored into the price of the books, hence the 80-150% price tag).
Most other US-based discount textbook sites do not ship outside of the USA or its territories.
[The one exception to this is Amazon.com, but their shipping costs (including customs duties you'll pay), almost equals the price of the textbook, thus doubling the price you'll pay for your textbooks].
Should you wish to sell your paper-based textbooks to BetterWorldBooks.com, they'll buy them back from you at a reasonable buy-back price of between 50 - 70% of the retail price.
This is highly comparable to other sites like BookRenter.com and Amazon.com
Betterworldbooks.com stands out from other book sellers in another way - you can ship the textbooks that you sell to them, for free.
That's right - the textbooks that you'll sell to them, can be sent to them for free (no matter where you're located, worldwide.
For every US-based discount textbook seller we've investigated, free shipping is only available within the USA)!
All you have to do to qualify for free shipping at BetterWorldBooks.com is to:
1) Donate three (3) books to them (a strong caveat to consider).
2) Print the shipping label from their site and paste it on the package/box of textbooks that you'll ship back to them!
You'll get the money from your textbook sale within 30 days of them receiving the books.
(The money will be paid into your PayPal account).
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So, if you're still:
1) Paying hundreds of dollars for your textbooks per term/semester
2) Filling your small room or apartment with unwanted textbooks...
...you need to go BetterWorldBooks.com.
You'll be able to purchase your textbooks at reasonable costs, whilst being able to sell them back for good money, when you're through with them!
Hope this helps!
(I'd like to thank Indiaedu.com for the use of their Flickr inset photo above, entitled, "Ebooks vs Textbooks").
Gillian
