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.
Copyright © 2004 Heather Wallace
Heather Wallace is founder of http://www.BargainMartian.com Visit to take advantage of the out of this world bargains from leading merchants found in this comprehensive directory of deals, rebates, bargains, coupons, and money-saving offers.
There are many people today from all walks of life... Read More
Everybody lies, and storytellers are some of the best liars... Read More
The L.E.A.D.E.R. WayINTRODUCTIONIn June 1997,the Prime Minister of Singapore unveiled... Read More
Personally, I dislike Multiple Choice Tests. Because they do not... Read More
Every year students flock to the college bookstore to purchase... Read More
The Shakespearean play "Othello" describes a cruel chain of events... Read More
Before CHIROPRACTIC COLLEGES & SCHOOLS accept one into their educational... Read More
"Life is my college. May I graduate well, and earn... Read More
Online education is steadily gaining acceptance in the academic world... Read More
It's that time of year again when global issues take... Read More
Don't give up your dream of enrolling in an online... Read More
What is the average cost of college tuition? This is... Read More
High School Ion Minulescu, Slatina, Graduates 1991.Clasa XII A, Baboi... Read More
When it's time to go to college, the word "scholarship"... Read More
PCDI | Professional Career Development Institute - The College and... Read More
An online associate degree is a two-year general studies degree... Read More
Many parents and students I counsel confuse Early Admission, Early... Read More
Taking distance education courses requires more motivation and self discipline... Read More
Well, I finally finished my 1st semester of college and... Read More
There are many reasons people seek degrees in today's day... Read More
Online nursing degrees are college degrees in the field of... Read More
For all the students even dreaming about going to college,... Read More
Sending your kids to college has never been more difficult... Read More
Still struggling to pay off the college loan? Have you... Read More
The problem with student and any small move comes when... Read More
University of Phoenix Online Focuses on Team LearningUnlike some other... Read More
It's no secret that more and more people are looking... Read More
Now I remember being a freshman in college, and let... Read More
Here are some benefits to studying for your college classes... Read More
At this point, except for the waiting, the worst is... Read More
The idea of a business plan competition first started in... Read More
Do best friends make the best college roommates? Not always!... Read More
Get motivated! ('Why do I write this paper?")This is a... Read More
Parents, if you're already reeling from the costs of today's... Read More
It's time to take the SAT's. How should you prepare?... Read More
The L.E.A.D.E.R. WayINTRODUCTIONIn June 1997,the Prime Minister of Singapore unveiled... Read More
In today's highly competitive college admissions process, families must never... Read More
Introduction and Literature ReviewSouth African education policies place priority on... Read More
NATUROPATHIC SCHOOLS instruct in Naturopathic medicine which is an holistic... Read More
Still struggling to pay off the college loan? Have you... Read More
When we write for college courses, we write for an... Read More
The format of distance learning courses is different than what... Read More
Don't cheat. This goes without saying for 999 out of... Read More
Get motivated! ('Why do I write this paper?")This is a... Read More
I spent the better part of 17 years in and... Read More
Now that the admission committees have handed you their decisions,... Read More
You may be bursting at the seams with natural talent,... Read More
The idea of a business plan competition first started in... Read More
Paula Bone is a marketing professor who teaches "Consumer Behavior"... Read More
Many public universities play the "Low Expectation Game" (see article... Read More
In modern society passing educational examinations becomes an increasingly important... Read More
Sending your kids to college has never been more difficult... Read More
My name is Debbie Ross. The information I have about... Read More
Online education is a dramatic development in the advancement of... Read More
The first step to getting your online degree is to... Read More
So its 12:30 Pm and there you are at the... Read More
The program should be one term, two terms or three... Read More
Sending a child away for college and helping them pack... Read More
Distance Learning Makes the GradeDistance Learning might make all the... Read More
Some people are calling it distance-free learning for the Medical... Read More
Forensics is not just one field of study but encompasses... Read More
I cannot overemphasize the importance of developing strong relationships with... Read More
Are you living with your total opposite? It's amazing how... Read More
Chances are you are pursuing an online degree to reap... Read More
The University of the West Indies (UWI) has often been... Read More
The reason to study the flows of civilization is out... Read More
College & University |