The War on Textbook Prices

If there's one thing this blog stands firmly against, it's buying overpriced textbooks. The rising cost of textbooks is a problem every student has to deal with however some deal with it by simply putting up with this rip-off, and others are clever enough to deal with it by working around it. Before you give away your life savings at the cash register of your campus bookstore this semester, try the following:

• Read this article on JoblessNCollege.com to get a solid understanding of how and why you're being ripped off and learn why it's better to buy online.

• Buy Online. It's most convenient to have your own copy of the textbook so you can study as much and as often as you need to without having to depend on others. You might also wish to hold on to the book for future reference. If this is the case, shop online for cheaper used textbooks at sites like Amazon, Half.com, Textbookx.com, or BetterWorld. You'll save time by knowing the ISBN numbers of your books before you begin searching.
  

• Borrow or Buy from an Upperclassmen. Use your network. Ask you friends to ask their friends to see if anyone has taken this class and would be willing to lend or sell you their book. If this is a book for a major class, rent it from someone now, and buy your own copy a year later after another newer version has come out and the price for the version you used is reduced to a fraction of what it originally sold for.

• Scan copies. For the truly thrifty college student, you could always buy or borrow the book just long enough to scan copies of the chapters you need and return it afterwards.

• Share with a classmate. This strategy certainly has its limitations, especially when it comes time for an exam. If you have a good friend who will be taking the class along with you you why not go half on the expense and share the book. It's a good idea to decide beforehand who will keep it afterwards.

Hopefully one or perhaps a combination of these strategies will help you fight rising textbook prices. When you're done with your books remember the poor kids coming behind you. Sell your books via Facebook, posting flyers on campus, or listing them on sites like Amazon and Textbookx.com.