Affordable Textbooks

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by dst10spr97, May 23, 2005.

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  1. dst10spr97

    dst10spr97 New Member

    Where do most of you get your textbooks for your courses. I have never had to order my own books, when I was in ug and grad school they had a bookstore on campus. I want to get them at the most reasonable price. I know Argosy uses Mbs Direct. I was thinking of ordering mine from Amazon, signing up for Amazon Prime to get the free shipping. I am an avid reader so I order most of my books from Amazon anyway.
     
  2. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    One might try Amazon.com Books at www.amazon.com
    Or one might try Bookfinder.com at www.bookfinder.com
     
  3. buckwheat3

    buckwheat3 Master of the Obvious

    Amazon usually saves me about 1/2 the cost; even if the books are used in the university book store!
    Free advice, stay away from edbdbooks on Amazon; that shister's ratings are tumbling....I eventually had to file for a amazon refund, while my emails about a delivery date (over a month late) kept getting bounced back!
    Best.
    Gavin
     
  4. faero13

    faero13 Member

    I use collegebooksdirect.com. The prices are good, and the books arrive fast & are in excellent condition.

    SMALLS
     
  5. JassenB

    JassenB Member

    Textbooks

    When I'm looking for a book, I get "quotes" from each of 4 places:

    Amazon.com
    Half.com (owned by eBay)
    ecampus.com
    MBSdirect.com

    I *usually* end up making only two orders or less per semester (to save on shipping). If you include shipping costs, more often than not I will find the best deals at half.com and ecampus.com.

    -Jassen
     
  6. tlamora

    tlamora New Member

    half.com

    tom
     
  7. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    I usually use either half.com or eBay, but they are usually used. I have heard that ordering new textbooks online through European retailers will save you some money, even with shipping costs.
     
  8. BlueMason

    BlueMason Audaces fortuna juvat

    www.amazon.com / .ca or www.chapters.ca - on either look for the
    USED BOOKS tab..

    I saved $100's on my textbooks! I don't mind a used book.. text doesn't disappear :)
     
  9. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    For books that I only intend to use for the course I prefer used books when available. But for those books I know will serve as references either for other courses or in professional life I spend the extra for new books.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------
    Since my original account (horne) no longer seems to work consistently I have created this new account.
     
  10. Rob Coates

    Rob Coates New Member

    I used to order my (used) textbooks from Amazon. That is until I had a bad experience. I ordered a used book, my card was charged, and the seller that contracts with Amazon failed to send me the book. Two months later, I was still haggling with Amazon to get my money back. Somehow, they couldn't find any record of my order. I had to contact Visa and file a complaint. Only then did Amazon respond and refund my money. I'll never buy anything from Amazon again.
     
  11. CoachTurner

    CoachTurner Member

    I'm one of those sellers -- though "contracts with" isn't exactly how it really works.

    Those sellers of used books are just "other people" who have a book you need. Sometimes, when dealing with "other people" you run into troubles.

    Think of buying used from Amazon as no different than buying from Half.com or eBay -- Amazon is not much more than a forum.

    That said, you can make a good deal of extra income selling your used texts on Amazon and Half.com -- I even buy textbooks from Goodwill and Salvation Army for the purpose. I make between $300 - 400 per month this way.

    Amazon is probably one of the best used marketplaces out there... :D buy books from me!!!
     
  12. CoachTurner

    CoachTurner Member

    http://www.cheapesttextbooks.com offers a search of used retailers with a price comparison table. A truly useful tool for those who want save money buying used textbooks.

    Also, unless it really matters -- you can save considerable money buying a used edition one printing back -- example, the class calls for 7th edition -- you buy the 6th. Often makes no difference at all -- sometimes is VERY different.

    For new books -- I use http://www.bamm.com or Amazon.
     
  13. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    He he he!

    Hi coach:

    I ordered a used book from The University of Iowa bookstore (they actually have great prices on their D/L course books). One of the books had a Goodwill sticker on the back, the price was crossed out so I can't tell how much it was at Goodwill (probably) $2.50 to $5.00) I think UOI charged me $10.00. Anyway, I don't care, I think it's great if someone can make a few bucks and give someone else a good deal to boot!


    Take care,

    Abner :)
     
  14. CoachTurner

    CoachTurner Member

    Knowing that some may now proclaim me an evil, twisted capitalist;

    The average price I pay for a textbook at Goodwill or Salvation Army (or any of the other places I find books) is $1.05

    Some are far cheaper -- $0.25 books are common out there and some are "here, you can have it..."

    My average gross is $20 even. There are fees and postage both ways (I give and I get) which takes my average sale to just over $15.00

    I have never had a month in the past 5 years that I took a loss on inventory over sales. I sold a math textbook for $50 that I paid $0.50 for. Very sweet markup.

    On the downside, I have a huge collection of textbooks in my apartment which require regular culling.

    I set my price on Amazon and Half.com by looking at the lowest price presently offered and I match it.

    So, why am I sharing this? I have to buy textbooks too! I don't care if you make a 3000% profit if I save $50 on a used book I buy from you.

    Go forth and sell used textbooks -- saturate the market with them -- drive the prices at the campus bookstore down -- make some money -- save me some money! :D
     
  15. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Good for you!

    I say good for you! Although I am a Moderate Democrat, I see nothing wrong with you being remunerated for your hard work, while still saving others money. It's not like you are practicing "Reganomics".

    I will e-mail you if I need any books in the future,

    Best wishes,

    Abner :)
    Abner :)
     
  16. marti_lil

    marti_lil New Member

    Selling textbooks on Half.com and taxes

    Hi!

    I realize this question is slightly off-topic, but I was wondering something. When you find textbooks for free or low-cost and sell them on Half.com or Amazon.com, how do you declare the income made on your taxes? Is it declared under miscellaneous income or do you have to get a 1099 form from eBay/Half.com or Amazon? Also, do you have to make a certain amount on textbook sales before you have to declare the income? No one is giving me a straight answer on the question; so, if Coach Turner or anyone could fill me in on how that works, let me know.

    This question is important to me because I also make a little extra money on Half.com selling used textbook sales.

    Thank you in advance for your replies!

    Sincerely,

    marti_lil
     
  17. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    During my Graduate Reaearch Project I bought hard to find books at biblio.com and bookfinder.com
     
  18. DTechBA

    DTechBA New Member

    Library

    I used to order a lot of books from the library. Of course, they would fuss when I kept them longer than 2 weeks but late fees were still cheaper than buying the book....
     
  19. Tireman44

    Tireman44 member

  20. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Re: Library

    Yeah! I know what you mean! I once borrowed about 13 books on South Carolina Reconstruction. Kept 'em till they were about a year overdue. Racked up about $2000 in library fines. Eventually bought the books online at bookfinder.com for a mere $300.
     

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