by Frank Foreman

Created on: April 17, 2008

When in the market to purchase collegiate text books, there are a handful of strategies that should be taken. In today's world of books, the prices are constantly on the rise, meaning any way a consumer can avoid spending so much cash would be beneficial. Here are a few helpful tips on how to pursue a college textbook shopping experience.

1. Avoid new textbooks. The only time a brand new text book should be the top priority is when there are no used versions available. Professors time and time again will explain that from version to version of a book, the changes are minimal, making an older edition of the textbook just as useful. There are even occasions when a syllabus will specify the newest edition of the book, yet it is still unnecessary to make that purchase. The best tip on buying new textbooks is to avoid it all together.

2. Stay clear from the campus bookstore. If indeed you are out of luck with used books or just prefer the brand new one, the place not to go is the school's bookstore. Here, you will, and I mean absolutely will pay top dollar for your desired read. Anything a campus bookstore has to offer is going to be overpriced. The suggestion should still be made to take a look in the campus bookstore and see what the price is exactly, just so you have idea of how high the prices will actually reach. Only shop here if it is your very last alternative.

3. Utilize the Internet. A consumer probably hears that buying books on-line is risky, and with the added charge of shipping and handling, it's too overpriced. 95% of the time, buying a new textbook from web sites such as Half.com or CheapestTextbooks.com is by far the most logical and convenient option. A criticism of this method is that you may not receive your purchase for about a week. The chances of having a professor that will penalize you for not having the required readings right away are very few and far between. Almost all of them understand that buying books on-line is the logical method, and will usually grant the student an adamant amount of time to do so. Plus, it never hurts to explain to the professor that you have made the purchase and are waiting for it to come by mail. 9 times out of 10 they will be more than OK with the situation.

4. Don't make any commitments to a purchase. Before you ever reach for your wallet, make absolutely sure that you need the book at all. It's astonishing how many textbooks are purchased and are never used. And once you go to sell them come semester's end,

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