How to Save Money On Textbooks

Textbook books can be a huge expense for a college student if all they do is go to the campus bookstore to buy and trade in books.

Money can be saved - and sometimes even made - by buying and selling textbooks online.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A computer with internet access (which you probably already have, since you are reading this).

1. Obtain as many book titles as you can as ahead of time as possible. One way to do this is to visit the local bookstore and take a look. You could also contact your professors before the semester begins to get titles.

2. Check Amazon.com and Half.com for book prices. These are the two most prominent marketplaces for used textbooks, but you should always check them both, because prices can sometimes vary drastically between the two. You will need to make an account to make purchases.
   
   Shipping time estimates, and book condition will often be given in descriptions. Take these into account, try to buy from a seller with a credible history.

3. Sometimes, textbooks can take up to two weeks to arrive. As a safety measure, after purchasing your books online, go to the library and see if any of them are available to be taken out. Sometimes course textbooks are only available on the reserve desk, but even that can be helpful if the books don't in time for the start of classes.

4. This step regards selling your books online. Create accounts on Half.com and Amazon.com. This will require a bank account and address.

5. Don't list books at the end of the school year, wait until there is about one month left in the summer to list. The sales will be better during this time. If you are selling mid-semester, try to list your books as quickly as possible.

6. As suggested in the previous step, check both sites to see which has the higher average prices before listing your book.

7. Always list your prices aggressively. Chances are, there will be many listings of your book, the only way you can sell it quickly is if you offer a low price and promise prompt shipping.

8. You will receive an email after you book has sold, which you will need to reply to. On Half and Amazon, you don't need to wait for payment, it is all done through them. Ship the book/books as soon as possible.