posted
Hey, anyone have the books my husband needs for his classes? They're outrageously expensive at the college bookstore, and he needs them by the 12th, so ordering them (which can take up to 10 business days to get here) is out of the question. I'd be willing to pay a fair price for the books and shipping. Plus, when he's done with them I'll offer them up here free. Or I'll pay shipping both ways for a loan.
posted
I'm sorry Boon, I wish I could help. I just wanted to offer my sympathies, I spent over $500 on textbooks this semester and that was only for 12 hours. I shudder to think what it's going to be like next semester when I'm planning on taking 17 hours.
College textbook costs are really out of hand, it seems like.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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Boon
unregistered
posted
I agree. Six credit hours, two classes...and it'll cost $108 for one and $123 for the other if we have to buy them at the campus store. Absolutely outrageous.
I think this thread should also be used for others needing books to ask. What do you think?
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posted
I don't have the books you need. I'd recommend looking at used book sites for textbooks though; I manage to find really good deals on otherwise expensive books. Half.com is the oft mentioned one. The other one I use is Abebooks.com. I've found numerous textbooks in good condition for cheap there.
Posts: 1960 | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Whatever you do, avoid eCampus.com. My girlfriend had an order shipped with their 3-7 business days option. It took a month! And the book arrived in a box that was battered and torn.
When she told them that her class had been running for three weeks and the book was essentially useless to her now because she had to get a copy three weeks earlier, they told her if she wanted to return it she'd have to pay for shipping and pay a 10% restocking fee.
All after they took 30 days to deliver a damaged product.
AVOID them at all costs, and tell anyone looking for college textbooks to avoid them too. Their customer service was very dismissive and their time service is awful.
Posts: 3960 | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
I notice that the second one has a copy available for 4 cents that ships from TX. With expedited shipping, might that get there on time? Or almost? And there's one for about $1.50 that ships from OK for the first one.
I thought we might have the first one, but it turns out it's a different one, or I would have put it in the mail to you on Monday. Sorry.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
I've found a combination of half.com and Amazon Used works well for me. To get books quickly, look for shippers near you with good ratings. If they're normal people (not the massive companies who use half.com), a note saying you need the books ASAP could help with shipping times. I know as a someone who sells my textbooks online, if someone told me they needed a book quickly I'd try to schedule in a post office visit the day after the book was bought.
When I've needed a book before the time it would arrive, I've either borrowed a friend''s copy and photocopied what I needed, or bought the book from the bookstore, but returned it before the grace period (of getting all your money back) was up.
For those of you still purchasing books in the bookstores - you can save *so* much money by expending just a bit more effort to purchase the books online. First example that comes to mind: for Real Analysis last semester we had one (slim) text that cost over $100, with tax, in the campus bookstore. There were several copies online in the $15-$20 price range, including shipping.
Posts: 2409 | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
Order used through amazon or half.com, selecting a seller with a very high positive rating over a lot of sales. Select faster than normal shipping.
Also, its almost certainly possible for your husband to use a library, departmental, or professor's copy for the first few days of class (if the book is even used much then), so don't worry about the shipping time as much.
Posts: 15770 | Registered: Dec 2001
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Boon
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posted
He's taking online classes...I'm thinking that ordering them online will be our best option, combined with getting them at the bookstore and returning them when the ordered books come in.
I hate doing that though. It feels dishonest.
On the plus side, when his classes are over (in December) I'll be offering up his used books here free.
I suggest that anyone who needs college textbooks make a post like the last part of mine above, saying when they're needed, linking to the correct edition, and when they'll be done with them. That way we'll be able to see what people need, what people probably have, and when they'll be done with them.
I'll be placing his order tomorrow afternoon, if no one says they have them by then.
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posted
Jeff has all his books shipped to him, it's included in his tuition. But I betcha he'll be happy to list the books when he's done with them so if anyone else can use them we can send them off ('cause heaven knows the last thing we need around here is more stuff that will never be used.)
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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It is a place where you post what books you want to swap. If someone takes it, you get a credit you can use to get a book of your choice (that has been posted).
quote: When another member requests one of your books, you mail it to them. Yes, you pay for the postage. But then another member returns the favor when you request a book from them and they mail it to you. And that way the books are always free because we are all trading books with club members!
Once you have registered, simply list your paperback books that you would like to share with other Club Members. Once you have listed at least 9 of your books, we will give you 3 book credits to get you started trading books with other club members. However, the more books you post, the more likely you are to receive requests. And that means more books for you. So post as many books as you can!
posted
Boon, be careful about the return policy. Many university bookstores will only accept returns in a very narrow time period, you might be stuck with both copies. I know my university only allows one week for returns and you must have the original recepit.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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Boon
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posted
I think we'll do a compromise thing...he won't go get them unless he really, really needs them before the ordered ones come in. That way if he can't take them back, at least it'll be because he really did need them.
If his financial aid had only come through last week instead of this Saturday, this wouldn't even be an issue. We would've known he could enroll sooner and ordered the books without a problem. That lessens my guilt somewhat.
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posted
Plus, make sure he NEEDS the books. My son learned after his first year of college that half the time the instructors never even used the books at all. By his last year, he never bought books at all -- and he found if he DID need to reference to something in them, the college library had copies of all the textbooks he could look at!
Of course, since in your case he's taking online courses, it is a little harder to borrow from a fellow student just long enough to get the assignment..
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