Would you rent or buy your books for school?

[BOSS Man]

One book:
Book New = $125.25
Book Used = $94.00
Book Rental = $62.56 (Keep until the end of the semester.)

Another book:
Book New = $149.00
Book Rental = $104.30

Books are coming out my own pocket, until my financial aid kicks in. I have to buy 2 more books that are a bit cheaper than these 2. What would you do? What would be more financially wise?

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[Neurocentric]

One book:
Book New = $125.25
Book Used = $94.00
Book Rental = $62.56 (Keep until the end of the semester.)

Another book:
Book New = $149.00
Book Rental = $104.30

Books are coming out my own pocket, until my financial aid kicks in. I have to buy 2 more books that are a bit cheaper than these 2. What would you do? What would be more financially wise?

I used Half.com for all but one of my books. I found each at least 50% cheaper, if not more. Don't buy from the bookstore unless you ABSOLUTELY have to. Science and math books are always the most expensive - and apparently Russian books, as I have found out the last few semesters.

 

[idontcaureuknow]

I always hated book rentals. So I either bought or procured my texts through other means. Or in some classes just went without a textbook. Always check craigslist to see if they have your book and talk to friends, they may know somebody who knows someone who is like a librarian of college texts. Borrowing from them is always fun and usually free. Even if not free, 5 dollars for borrowing a book ain't bad.

Also, previous editions work very well for certain classes and can result in very cheap texts. I got my organic textbook and solutions manual for $15, 10 of that was shipping and handling.

 

[MsDeterminded]

I personally would prefer buying a used book. I like having the authority to highlight in it if I want or practically do anything to it. I don't like rentals because it just don't feel right carrying around someone else things. Cheap and owned is the way to go for me.

Learn from past, Live for future.

 

[Neurocentric]

I personally would prefer buying a used book. I like having the authority to highlight in it if I want or practically do anything to it. I don't like rentals because it just don't feel right carrying around someone else things. Cheap and owned is the way to go for me.

Learn from past, Live for future.

I do agree about your reasoning for not renting. It's the same reason I typically try not to buy seriously used books; I'm afraid someone will have highlighted whole pages or written things in there that don't make sense to me.

 

[penguinism]

One book:
Book New = $125.25
Book Used = $94.00
Book Rental = $62.56 (Keep until the end of the semester.)

Another book:
Book New = $149.00
Book Rental = $104.30

Books are coming out my own pocket, until my financial aid kicks in. I have to buy 2 more books that are a bit cheaper than these 2. What would you do? What would be more financially wise?

I usually contact my friends that have taken the class previously and see if they can sell me their book for cheap. Then, when I'm done the class, I sell to friends of mine that are taking it in subsequent terms. That way, I only lose ~$10-20 per book.

 

[Genetixx]

I do agree about your reasoning for not renting. It's the same reason I typically try not to buy seriously used books; I'm afraid someone will have highlighted whole pages or written things in there that don't make sense to me.

I HATE opening up a used book and there's writing and highlights on each page. So annoying.

To the OP, if it's an important book, you might want to look into buying a book that's fresh. But that's just me.

 

[BOSS Man]

I used Half.com for all but one of my books. I found each at least 50% cheaper, if not more. Don't buy from the bookstore unless you ABSOLUTELY have to. Science and math books are always the most expensive - and apparently Russian books, as I have found out the last few semesters.

Oh thanks for the site! I found that expensive psychology book about 40% off. Only thing that is stopping me from buying it, is I might withdraw from the course. It's not interesting at all and after class i feel mentally fatigued.

 

[impervious0ne]

If the book is for a course that is not science/pre-med, ill most likely rent it from Chegg. The rental books are always in good quality and I don't have to worry about selling or lugging them around. If it's for science, i'll probably buy it from amazon so i can keep it for reference.

 

[KLycos]

affordabook.com

buy new paperback international versions or used hardcovers

/thread

 

[akszp4]

One book:
Book New = $125.25
Book Used = $94.00
Book Rental = $62.56 (Keep until the end of the semester.)

Another book:
Book New = $149.00
Book Rental = $104.30

Books are coming out my own pocket, until my financial aid kicks in. I have to buy 2 more books that are a bit cheaper than these 2. What would you do? What would be more financially wise?

I actually like renting. I never have referenced a old textbook, plus at the end of the semester I can just give it back w/o having to worry about selling it to someone.

 

[Neurocentric]

I usually don't buy textbooks. I don't know about you, but in my school, you can get A's in most classes just by studying the lecture. Maybe it's because my school is only a mid tier state school.

I find that going over concepts in the textbook gives an extra "oomph" to my understanding. I also do practice questions when I can.

For my major, I pretty much have to buy the books, since I'm a Russian major and I'm either reading a Russian novel, or working on the language itself.

 

[datmicro]

I dont buy books. I either borrow them from my friends or read them in the library ;P

 

[idontcaureuknow]

I usually don't buy textbooks. I don't know about you, but in my school, you can get A's in most classes just by studying the lecture. Maybe it's because my school is only a mid tier state school.

I think it has more to do with learning styles. To me a text is supplemental information to study, but I learn very well from lectures (even if I'm sleeping somehow). In math and chem courses, the text is simply a book of exercises to practice. However, sometimes a text is very valuable, such as pchem, both Atkins and McQuerry are amazing for different concepts. I've looked back at those texts a few times.

 

[kduck]

Also, previous editions work very well for certain classes and can result in very cheap texts. I got my organic textbook and solutions manual for $15, 10 of that was shipping and handling.

Previous editions are great, and amazon pretty much always has used books way cheaper than the bookstore. I haven't bought a bookstore book in years.