It’s one of the few times students dread going to Court Street.
Textbook shopping can be both tedious and confusing, but as Ohio University students try to find the best deals for books, many seek alternatives to buying new textbooks every few months that leave themselves with a little more spending money — or a little less debt.
Students looking to save a few bucks often opt to buy used textbooks. These sometimes come with wear and tear, but for many students, recycled textbooks are easier on the wallet.
Used textbooks can be found at the four Court Street bookstores, as well as online. Amazon.com is a popular choice.
"You get free shipping if you’re a student, and there are ridiculous cheap prices on it,” said Jake Schlaerth, a sophomore studying music education.
However, some students choose to look further to find inexpensive books.
OU’s website offers a book exchange, which allows students to post their textbooks and search for others. By eliminating the middleman, students are often able to get more money for their textbooks than they would by selling them back to a bookstore — and on the other end, students buying the books often spend less as well.
"I tried out the (book exchange) last year and managed to save about $100 Winter Quarter between all my classes,” said Zach Haidet, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering.
Although many students enjoy the chance to resell their books after they’re done using them, others find renting to be an easier option. College Book Store, Follett’s University Bookstore and Specialty Books in Athens allow students to rent textbooks, but another popular choice is Chegg, a national company specializing in renting out books of all types.
Students can feel environmentally conscious as well when they order from Chegg because of the company’s partnership with American Forests, a conservation organization that works to promote a healthier environment by planting trees. Every time someone places an order at Chegg, American Forests plants a tree. Since 2008, more than 5 million trees have been planted through this partnership, according to Chegg’s website.
After repeating the process several times, many OU students — whether they choose to rent their textbooks, buy them online or share them with a friend — agree the extra effort it takes to compare options and find the best price pays off.
"Textbook costs add up; if you don’t have a system for getting them, you never know how much money you may be missing out on,” Haidet said.
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