Let's face it, books at your college bookstore are expensive. You can get much better deals online, but where should you get your books? Here are some of the top places to get textbooks online:
Just about everyone’s heard of Amazon, and they are one of the largest retailers on the web. It’s also a place where you can find good deals on college textbooks.
Return policy: Unopened items are returnable within 30 days of delivery, but you’ll have to pay the shipping costs. You can also return items you bought from one of the other sellers on their website.
Free shipping for orders over $25 if you buy directly from Amazon. If you buy from a seller on their Marketplace, you’ll have to pay at least $3.99 for shipping.
This site is owned by eBay, but it’s not set up auction-style. Sellers post their items with their price and description, and you choose which seller you’d like to buy from.
Return policy: You have 7 days to return the item, but it’s at the discretion of the seller. This means that if sellers decide they don’t accept returns, they do not have to give you a refund for an item you don’t want unless Half.com says they must give you a refund.
Minimum shipping cost: $3.49
In addition to getting a great deal on used books, you also have a chance to win free textbooks for a year with every purchase. They also have an opportunity for students to become a Valore Agent and earn cash by promoting ValoreBooks.
Return policy: Everything is refundable for 30 days from the date of purchase. You’ll be charged a 15% restocking fee for returning books unless it was a seller error (for example, they sent the wrong book or it wasn’t in good condition).
Minimum shipping cost: $3.95
If you’re concerned about the environment or just want to do a little good in the world, you should definitely choose BetterWorldBooks. Books sold on their website help fund book drives and literacy projects in the U.S. and around the world. Each order is shipped carbon neutral, so you’re not hurting the planet by shipping the books to your doorstep.
Return policy: You have 30 days from the date of purchase to return books and all you have to do is pay for shipping. However, if you buy a book from their Martketplace, you’ll have to negotiate with the seller about returning the book.
Free shipping!
When you buy a new textbook at CengageBrain, you can download the first chapter for free while you wait for your books to ship. You also have access to free study tools on their site. They also offer book rentals, e-textbooks, and e-chapters.
Return policy: Refunds are available within 30 days of purchase.
Free shipping on orders over $25. (This does not apply to book rentals.)
I've only heard good things about this site, so I would definitely check it out!
Return policy: You can return items within 30 days of the shipment date, but you'll have to pay for shipping.
Free shipping on orders over $25.
One cool think Bookbyte offers is to find out the prices for books by texting. So if you’re at your campus bookstore deciding if you should buy the book from them or if you could get a better deal online, just text them to find out!
Return policy: If you purchase books directly from them, you have 14 days to return any items, but you’ll have to pay for shipping. They also have a “Bookbyte Bazaar” where students like you can sell their books through the site. If you buy anything through the Bazaar, you’ll have to negotiate with the seller if you want to return it.
>>Digital textbooks: Good for the planet and your wallet
