Textbooks

An even better idea might be to buy them from second years who don't want their books anymore. I've seen ads for textbooks on Ross's website. If you order offline just remember to leave enough time so that they arrive in time for classes. That was always my problem in undergrad - I never remembered to order early so always just ended up going the bookstore route.

I'd also throw this out there: some professors have textbooks, but don't use them much. They assign readings, but some students are bright enough that they pick up everything they need to know in class. (Or just don't care and won't read the book anyway.) Or the assigned readings are optional for those looking for a more in-depth treatment.

At Duke, a bunch of copies of the assigned books are on reserve in the library. For some classes, I've found that just reading in the library is enough.

I get most of my books through an amazon.com reseller. I generally try to pick someone near the state that I'm in - that way I get the books much quicker.

Another alternative - for those classes you take in which you have no interest in keeping the book - is https://www.chegg.com

chegg is a relatively new site which allows people to "rent" books for extended periods of time. I took a business law course last semester and the book was about $110 brand new. I rented it for the entire semester for about $38.

fwiw,
- tsd

Nice, in the end you spend a whole lot less than buying new and selling back to the bookstore. Bookstores that do that (yes, i realize the publisher sets the price) should be punished! Buy a business law book for $110 new and use it for 16 weeks and the bookstore offers you $25 to buy it back. I like the renting idea.

^ Precisely, it's robbery. That's why, nowadays, I walk into Barnes and Noble to find books. When I find something I want to buy, I write down the name, author, edition, and buy it for way cheaper through amazon's resellers.

For example, Kaplan GMAT Premier 2009 was $42 at Barnes and Noble yet only $24 through amazon.com - with free shipping! I have bought several math books recently (mostly new) - all with at least a 30% savings over Barnes and Noble prices and free shipping to sweeten the deal.
- tsd

I do the same thing, except I take a picture of the book with my cell phone sometimes when I don't have paper and pencil.

Alright, now that I've been through a semester, I've noticed a few things about textbooks that I'd like to share. Would love to hear what it's like at other schools:

1. I *barely* use my textbooks. I bought textbooks for Accounting, Finance, Stats, and Econ, and almost never opened them except for homework questions. And even then, I had older versions ( = cheaper ) which meant I would just go to the library where it's on hold and take pictures of the questions I need.

2. Chegg.com seems like a good site to "rent" textbooks for one term and return it for much cheaper. I'm definitely considering this for next term.

3. I don't understand why professors say that some textbooks are required but then never use it or even assign readings in it. Go figure.

Any other thoughts you'd like to share?