Cheap Textbooks

From Unofficial Guide to Engineering

At the beginning of each semester, textbooks are a huge drag on your bank account. However, some quick shopping tips can save you hundreds each semester.

Bookstores in Berkeley

The Cal Student Store and Ned's Bookstore both sell new and used textbooks. At the end of every semester, both stores hold buybacks, where you sell your old books back for other students to buy used the following semester. To buy books, you can either order books online or go to stores. If pre-ordering, you have the option to choose used vs. new books, the drawback with used books is that you can't see them in person. If you check the bookstores out at the start of the semester, you will find used books until they run out. The Student Store and Ned's both have lowest price guarantees now, so chances are the prices won't be very different. If you have a choice between the two, buy books from the Student Store. The money goes back to the Student Government (ASUC) to fund campus groups and events.

Online Bookstores

A popular place to purchase books is online, but setbacks include the added shipping cost and time (its harder to procrasinate). However, not all websites operate the same way. Here are a few most widely used sites:

• Comegetused.com – This site is essentially a “for sale” website run by the CSBA. Users can list books they no longer need and purchase books from other users. However, it has become customary for buyers to contact the seller through the listed information (you must register and log in before you can see these) before buying the book. Simply send a polite e-mail asking about the book, and the seller should respond accordingly. The transaction usually occurs by meeting on campus. It is the seller/buyer’s responsibility to take the listing off after a sale, but this does not always happen, so some books may not be available even if they are listed.
• Textbook411.com – This site instantly searches over 20 of the larger online book retailers for the lowest priced copy of any new or used textbook.
• Half.com – Run by eBay, sellers from around the world list books for sale. You can find many books branded “International Edition” which are nearly identical but half the price. For many books, these versions are soft cover. Shipping speed and product accuracy may be questionable, so it is recommended only to buy from users with high ratings.
• eBay.com – Unlike Half.com, some sellers auction their books, but textbooks are rare. When your target book is available on eBay, it usually goes unnoticed, which often correlates to extremely low prices.
• CampusI.com – This website searches the web for the sellers of your book and compiles them all onto a page!
• Cheap-Textbooks.com – This website lets you enter a textbook ISBN and quickly jump between bookseller sites for that specific textbooks to compare price, shipping locations and more.

If you’re still hesitant in purchasing a book online, older versions may be the way to go. Publishers issue new versions every year, but the changes are usually very minor. However, they usually change the problems. There are now “custom” paperback editions, which are just older editions with less material. Usually, older, complete editions are less expensive than these “custom” editions! Before purchasing older editions, you should check for differences with the new edition.

Caution: When ordering online look to see where the book is being shipped from. Media mail can take from 14-21 days to travel coast to coast!

Other Tips

Literature for humanities usually can be found at normal book stores. Bookstores on Telegraph and Shattuck carry liquidations and copies used for business or promotion purposes at discounted prices. Naturally, you may find other discounted books that may catch your attention.

Also, check with the instructor whether a book is actually required for a class. The online listings are not always accurate. If you feel you have sufficient material for the class, purchase only what you need…unless you want more references. Watch out for those return dates and policies if you wish to return anything!