An Education in Saving on

Textbooks

Every year students flock to the college bookstore to

purchase the various textbooks that they require for their classes. Little

do these students realize that, in doing so, they are throwing good money

away. As unbelievable as it may seem textbooks, in some cases, actually

cost as much, if not more, than tuition.

On the surface the college bookstore may seem like a

convenient source for textbooks. Titles are usually in-stock and students

may purchase new textbooks or opt for the cheaper alternative of used

books. In truth the money saved by purchasing used textbooks from the

college bookstore is only a fraction of the amount that students could be

saving if they shopped online.

More and more online booksellers have begun selling

textbooks at a considerable discount off of the cover price. In fact, many

major booksellers now have special areas of their web sites that are

devoted to selling nothing but textbooks. Online used bookstores are

another source for college books as they stock a large number of

textbooks, which means sizable savings for students. There are also

web-based retailers whose inventory is entirely devoted to college books.

Students should avoid purchasing their textbooks at the

first store that they browse. Instead, they should investigate the

alternatives offered by other online booksellers. Price isn't the only

factor to consider when making an online purchase. Students should also

factor in shipping costs and delivery time when making their buying

decision.

Online auctions are another option for students seeking a

bargain. This option, however, has its pros and cons. A plus is that

students can get incredible bargains when obtaining books via online

auctions. One downside is that established retailers have channels in

place to ensure that you receive your order within a reasonable amount of

time. With an auction purchase, however, you are at the mercy of the

auction seller's timetable.

One way that students can really save is by obtaining

books for free. Project Gutenberg is one resource that English majors will

find invaluable. At this site students can peruse a vast collection of

classics that have entered the public domain. In the past students seeking

assistance with their studies had to pay for the privilege of that help by

purchasing study guides. Today that is no longer the case. Cash-strapped

students can now visit Spark Notes for free downloadable study guides as

well as free downloadable classics.

Students who elect to buy online will no longer be able to

resell their books to the college bookstore at the end of class, but that

doesn't mean that they are stuck with the textbooks. Many web sites that

sell textbooks also offer students the option of selling their books to

fellow bargain-seekers. This allows students to easily recouping a portion

of their money.

Textbooks normally consume a major portion of a student's

budget, but that doesn't have to be the case, because while the cost of

tuition may be set in stone the price of textbooks isn't. By taking the

time to do a little research on the best textbook values available college

students can save money now rather than acquiring debt to be paid back

later.

Heather Wallace is founder of

http://www.BargainMartian.com

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