Shopping for Used Books

Should I Buy Used Books Online?

There are many reasons to look into ordering your used books online: availability, cost, and speed being at the top of the list. How can you figure out which places are best?

There are few things more frustrating that rushing to get your books, only to realize that you got the wrong ones. Make sure to find out the following information before doing anything else:

1. Full title of the book
2. Full name(s) of author(s)
3. Edition of the book
4. Year book was published
5. ISBN

Once you have this information, you should be able to figure out when you've found the right text.

Just because a site seems great online doesn't mean it's great for your campus. There could be things you don't know about. For example, if a certain online vendor always ships Federal Express, it may be tricky to have something delivered to your campus mailbox if it's listed as a P.O. Box. (Federal Express usually doesn't deliver to P.O. Boxes.) Similarly, a site with great reviews online may be located on the other side of the country, meaning books will take longer to get to your campus than other schools. Ask around to figure out which places have a good reputation with your school and your fellow students.

You've no doubt had some experience doing research if you've made it into college. Use those skills! Prices will be different at different online resellers, so prepare to spend some time looking at various sites. If you are smart enough to be buying used books, you'll already know how much money you can save by doing some comparison shopping. And you'll know how much you've allocated for books in your budget.

If you've found the exact book(s) you need at an online reseller, don't forget to add the shipping and handling costs when determining if you are (or are not!) saving money. Used books that are a few dollars cheaper than their new counterparts may seem cheaper at first, but may not be once you add shipping and handling. It may surprise you to learn that the new book at the campus bookstore will actually save you money from some online used book vendors that charge high shipping and handling fees.

Think of all the students who will be searching for used books at the exact same time, all across the globe. Starting early will undoubtedly give you an advantage! Also, if you know in your Spring semester what classes you'll be taking in the Fall, see if you can buy books from the students who will finish that class the semester before you take it. (The only catch with this is the chance that the professor will change the reading list; you can always politely ask the professor in advance, though, if they plan on using the same book next semester.) Starting early with your used book hunt will also help to avoid costly overnight shipping charges.

Once you've gotten the information you need about your books and asked around about good vendors, let the hunt begin! Some of the most popular places to start include:

Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
eBay
ecampus.com
half.com

As you search online, you may notice that a lot of online sellers also allow you to sell the books you no longer need. If you find a site you like, feel free to sell your own used books and earn a little unexpected pocket change!