How to Rent College Textbooks

Here's How:

1. Get your list of textbooks as soon as possible. This can be a bit of a challenge, as professors sometimes don't finalize things until the last minute and you may not know which classes you get into until the first week of class. Once you know your schedule and have the syllabus, however, it's time to hit the ground running.
2. Check with your campus bookstore. An increasing number of college bookstores are also offering textbook rentals. Check with your store to see what features they offer as well as to check what the prices are of both new and used books for your classes.
3. Search online for textbook rental sites. There are a lot available, and each one has its own pros and cons. Make sure the site you order from has a strong reputation as well as the books you need. If possible, find one site that has all of your books so you can save on shipping costs (if you do indeed have to pay shipping).
4. Read the fine print. This may seem silly, but it's extra important. Are you allowed to highlight in your rented book? Do you need to return it before your semester ends? What happens (i.e., how much will you be charged) if your book accidentally gets ruined in the rain? Who decides what condition your book is in when you return it? How do you return it? What are the costs that you have to consider in returning your text at the end of the semester (e.g., if it is going to cost $40 to mail all of your books back, will you have saved anything)?
5. Place your order! If you find the books you need at a reputable site that works with your schedule, there's no reason why you shouldn't take advantage of the savings as soon as possible. The sooner you get your rented books, after all, the sooner you can really get going in your classes. In the meantime, check with your campus library or your fellow students if you need access to a textbook until your rented ones arrive.