Book-buying Alternatives

A semester’s worth of textbooks can easily cost $300 or more. It’s an age-old problem discussed among students on college campuses across America, second only to the problem of parking spaces and the price of a gallon of gasoline.

It’s also the No. 1 story suggestion that the News-Register receives from its readers. A choice, our readers say, is what they really want, rather than just limiting themselves to the campus bookstore.

With that in mind, our staff went to work to find out exactly what’s available for college students. Here’s what we found:

• First, find out what books are required and what books are merely recommended. You may be able to borrow recommended books from the library or share with a friend.

• Check your book list before the semester starts. Knowing what you need before you arrive can help you find better deals, as well as get a jump-start on other students searching for used books.

• Lurk near the school’s textbook “buy back” window. Make a deal with students

• Ask friends if they know anyone who has taken the course. Some people hang on to their old books as resources or haven’t yet sold them back.

• Check the bulletin board across from the SPAR office, A-233. Sponsored by the Student Government Association, the board lists books that are needed, for sale or trade. There’s also five stand-alone bulletin boards across campus, and a large wall bulletin board in the C Building’s lobby where students can post notices, but those must first be approved, dated and stamped by the Public Information desk in A-324

• Check at off-campus college bookstores such as, Sweeney’s College Books off Grapevine Highway in North Richland Hills. We found more off-campus stores in Tarrant County than in Dallas County.

• When buying books online, search for the lowest prices, but don’t forget to factor in shipping costs. Some popular Web sites are:
www.ecampus.com
www.half.com
www.amazon.com
www.bn.com

• Compare several retailers’ prices at www.bestbookbuys.com.

• Check online at book-rental companies at sites such as www.safarix.com.

If any of our readers would like to share their book sources with others, we will print those monthly in a newly created “Book Patrol” column debuting in September’s News-Register.

Write to us at nnr7420@dcccd.edu, or drop off your information in room A-260.