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Textbooks Websites Reviews

In this review:
  1. Cheap College Textbooks
  2. Cheap Textbooks Online
  3. Textbooks Websites Reviews
  4. Discount College Textbooks Features Comparison Table
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College Textbooks Features (continued)

Cheap Textbooks Websites New vs. Used.

Most cheap textbook websites let you choose new or used books. Used books are cheaper but may have defects, missing pages, and/or excessive highlighting or handwritten notes. That may be OK with you, but an already damaged book can be easy to further ruin, and you might get less money back, or worse, charged extra, if the book's condition has deteriorated on your watch. BookRenter.com charges a fee if you send back a damaged book, according to a review on CNET. Of the cheap textbooks websites we researched, the most serious student complaints about used books involved highlighting, written notes, or missing supplements, such as CDs. Some cheap textbooks websites seem tougher than others when it comes to buying back books; some students report on Resellerratings.com that Bookbyte.com refused to pay the originally quoted price because of alleged damage.

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Cheap Textbook Websites Book Availability.

While this is not necessarily a deal breaker, you may want to be sure that a cheap textbook website has a good inventory of books. A large selection increases your chances of getting everything you need for the semester from the same spot. Textbooks.com, for instance, reports it has more than seven million books in its inventory. Other cheap college textbooks websites have books near the one million mark and offer texts in most subjects, from anthropology to zoology; most give a choice of new or used, if available. But cheap textbook websites that rely on third-party sellers (that often means other students) may be less reliable. Some users report on Resellertatings.com that eCampus.com told them some texts weren't in stock or that the textbook website couldn't find the third parties who were to ship the items.

Cheap College Textbook Websites Return/Buyback Policies.

On the matter of end-of-semester payback, not all cheap textbooks websites are created equal. Bookbyte.com offers to buy used textbooks that are in good condition; Textbookx.com does not. Most textbook sites either buy back your books or let you list them in their marketplace section (as does Textbookx.com) for student-to-student sales. But each discount college textbook website has its own policies on everything from returning books to what you can do to your book while you possess it. For example, BookRenter.com allows minimal highlighting, according to a customer service representative posting on EduReview.com. If you need to keep a rented textbook longer than originally planned, most textbook rental sites will accommodate that, but for a price. A posting on Resellerratings.com says Chegg.com imposed a $12 fee for the privilege.

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Best Cheap Textbook Websites

Chegg.com
Gold Medal

Chegg.com

Chegg.com is primarily a textbook rental site, though it does let you buy discounted books as well as sell textbooks on the site for credit or cash. And you can ship books back at the end of the term for free, which is a huge bonus for the cash-strapped. Users report customer service representatives are helpful with questions or issues concerning their orders. Read more »
College Textbooks Deals
Rent Textbooks & Save 65-85%
Textbooks.com
Gold Medal

Textbooks.com

Textbooks.com generally sells books at lower prices than the competition and earns good marks from student reviewers for customer service, book condition, and delivery. Other standout features include a large inventory of more than 7 million books and free ground shipping for orders over $25. Read more »
College Textbooks Deals
Textbooks.com

Good Cheap Textbook Sites

eCampus.com

Although the prices are a little higher than the competition, eCampus.com has a good stock of books and other items, according to student customers. This textbooks website offers free shipping on orders of $59 or more and lets you buy, rent, or order ebooks, which you can use immediately. Some reviewers complain about problems with delivery. Read more »
College Textbooks Deals
eCampus.com - Easy. Fast. Cheap.
 
 
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Don't Bother Cheap Textbook Websites

Textbookx.com

Textbookx.com sells books at higher prices than most other web vendors, and draws negative reviews from students about limited access to customer service. Read more »

Bookbyte.com

Bookbyte.com has a history of refusing to buy back books without explanation, causing students to lose money they were expecting to see again. Read more »

 
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