| Making the Green: Buying and Selling Textbooks | | | | book list for a class is already available, buy |
| Online | | | | textbooks in May and June, when there are more |
| One pass through a bookstore shows college | | | | sellers and fewer buyers. |
| textbooks aren't cheap. Even used copies can run | | | | • Tip 4: Get international editions. The |
| over $100 per book. On average, a student | | | | same textbook sold in Canada or Britain is |
| spends $900 a semester on textbooks. Returning | | | | significantly cheaper than its American |
| books at the end of the semester doesn't recoup | | | | counterpart, even though the content is the |
| that. Often, a $100 used textbook at the | | | | same. |
| beginning of the semester is only worth $20 at | | | | • Tip 5: Check ISBNs and edition |
| the end - and the campus bookstore resells it | | | | numbers to get the right text. |
| again. Many students don't realize that they're not | | | | Get a Good Return: Tips on Selling |
| required to buy their books on campus - but | | | | Selling textbooks online is more profitable even |
| there are other options. | | | | than buying online. Textbooks sell online in a couple |
| Students are transitioning from on-campus | | | | of weeks for a lot more money than returning |
| bookstores to online stores - because buying and | | | | books to a campus bookstore. About a quarter |
| selling textbooks online saves money. Almost | | | | of online textbook stores offer immediate |
| 10% of all college textbooks are bought online. | | | | buy-backs at a predetermined amount, similar to |
| Online textbook sites offer more choices on | | | | returning it to campus bookstores, so even |
| where and when to buy or sell books and control | | | | cautious sellers get more money. |
| over what students pay. | | | | Look for a reputable site to sell textbooks. The |
| Make a Deal: Tips for Buying | | | | site should have reasonable commission rates, and |
| Online bookstores are cheaper even for new | | | | it should always be free to list your textbooks. |
| texts, and as much as 95% lower for used | | | | Look for safe payment options through a site like |
| textbooks. Textbooks from sellers in other states | | | | PayPal or direct payment to a credit card. |
| don't have a sales tax, saving almost 10% on the | | | | With tools to get better prices by reaching more |
| cost of books. There's more time to browse for | | | | buyers and by letting you decide when the time is |
| deals since books can be bought anytime, not just | | | | to sell, selling textbooks online is easy. Just |
| in the couple of days leading up to the semester. | | | | remember three things: |
| The major drawback to buying online is the cost | | | | • Tip 1: Price it right. Check what other |
| of shipping back a return, plus delays getting the | | | | sellers are charging, and price accordingly. |
| refund and replacement. But that can be offset | | | | Comparison shopping sites show what the same |
| by finding the right books on the right site. | | | | book is selling for at multiple locations. |
| Find sites which focus exclusively on textbooks. | | | | • Tip 2: Keep textbooks in good |
| These have bigger selections and better prices. | | | | condition. Keep CDs that come with the textbook. |
| Comparison shopping sites compile lists of all | | | | Keep it looking nice, with no creased pages, |
| available online sellers, which makes finding a deal | | | | heavy marks, or cover damage. |
| easier. Some provide bulk-buying options to find | | | | • Tip 3: Wait to sell at peak times, from |
| the best total price for a complete book list. A | | | | late July to September and January. |
| site must offer a good return policy (30-day, full | | | | Closing the Deal |
| money back), secure payment methods, and | | | | Campus bookstores are convenient - but they |
| good shipping options and rates. | | | | don't offer the best deal to college students. |
| • Tip 1: Shop around. Use comparison | | | | Online textbook sites have sprung up as |
| shopping sites to find the best deal. Definitely go | | | | independent alternatives to make textbooks |
| to sites specializing in textbooks. | | | | more affordable, with better choices on prices |
| • Tip 2: Get only the required reading. | | | | and selection, more money back when the school |
| Not all of the books on the professor's list are | | | | year ends, and features like bulk-buying, |
| required for the class, and it saves money not | | | | comparison pricing, and instant buybacks to make |
| buying recommended books. | | | | buying and selling textbooks easier and more |
| • Tip 3: Buy off-season. Textbooks are | | | | profitable. |
| mostly sold at the beginning of semesters. If the | | | | |