Trekking to Court Street to buy textbooks can be one of the only dreadful trips Uptown for the year, but many students this year may find themselves a little happier with the size of their wallets than in the past.
Textbook shopping has been called tedious, confusing and expensive, but as Ohio University students try to find the best deals for books, many seek alternatives to buying new textbooks.
With OU’s switch to semesters, students will only need to buy textbooks twice for the first time. But that doesn’t mean strategies change.
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.
“Although it may take a few days longer than walking Uptown, nothing beats having that extra money in your wallet,” said Ryan Clark, a sophomore studying sports administration.
However, some students choose to look further to find inexpensive books.
OU’s website offers a newly endorsed book exchange, FourYears.com. The website allows students to buy and sell textbooks, review classes and more, and was created by OU alumnus Ryan Verner.
Student Senate passed a resolution last school year officially replacing its outdated book exchange with a link to FourYears.com on its website.
Verner believes it provides a way for students to easily connect rather than searching through Facebook groups to find the best deals.
“I didn’t want to be a competitor with the school, which opened up more doors,” he said in a previous Post article.
Although many students enjoy the chance to resell their books after they are done using them, others find renting to be an easier option. Several Athens bookstores allow students to rent textbooks, but another popular online 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, 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 always make everyone cringe, but if you put the time in, it becomes an easy way to save a lot of money,” Clark said.
Where to find textbooks
In Athens
College Book Store, 50 S. Court St.
Follet's University Bookstore, 63 S. Court St.
Little Professor Book Center, 65 S. Court St.
Specialty Books, 5 N. Court St.
Online
www.amazon.com
www.half.com
www.alibris.com
www.chegg.com
