Tips on Buying and Reselling College Textbooks

Every Semester College students throughout the country purchase Text Books. Most of the time, the Text Books are only used one time, and then put aside to gather dust. A College Student can save money by trying to purchase a used Text Book, and then reselling the book. There are solutions to save money. Check with the professor if an older version of the textbook would be acceptable, to save money. Always confirm the book that is required by the instructor, and avoid purchasing books that are optional or recommended. Some Text Books will be sold along with other materials that may not be necessary for your course. Avoid those package deals, which may cost more, then purchasing the book only. There are different ways to purchase used Text Books, and methods to resell used books. Also, creative methods to get free used Text Books.

Many College Book Stores purchase used Text Books, and then are resold. Before purchasing a used book, always check to make certain, all the pages are in the book, and are clearly readable. Sometimes a previous student may leave some notes inside the book, which might be helpful to the next reader. When purchasing a used Text Book, check with Book Store, if the book could be repurchased, at the end of the semester, and the same for new Text Books. Also, check if you are required to have the original receipt, when you sell back the book. If you can’t find the Text Book you are seeking at your College Book Store, then check other College Books Stores nearby, and their return policy. Also, contact Thrift and Used Book Stores on the phone, if anyone has the Text Book you are seeking. Online Book Stores can save you money, since they don’t have the same overhead cost as a regular Book Store, and often there will be no delivery charge, based on their policy.

Students often resell their Text Books, new or used. Remember never write or mark the inside of a book, since that will depreciate the reselling price. The longer you wait to sell your book, the more likely an updated version will be printed, and your book will depreciate faster in value. Consider to resell the book to someone you know or a student that maybe interested in purchasing your book. Provide an incentive for someone to buy your book. This might include your notes, and any additional material, from the course. Most College Books Stores will purchase your book, at a discount from the original price.

Creative ideas for free Text Books. Barter with a student that has the book you need, and offer some free hours of tutoring on a subject, run errands, clean the student’s room, wash their car few times, drive the student to and from work, have dinner prepared or wash and iron their clothing for a specified number of times. Offer to work at College Book Store to exchange the work hours for a text book(s). Trade a book you had used, for a Text Book another student will exchange. Borrow the book from a student that already took the course, and does not want to sell the book or barter. Work a part time job or temporary job. Sell or pawn merchandise you have no use for anymore.