Step 1 Avoid buying from your college or university's bookstore, as their textbook prices are INFLATED! Use your school's bookstore as a last-ditch option, if a book you need can't be found anywhere else.
Step 2 Half.com should be your first stop in the search for textbooks. This ebay owned website is your one stop shop for both new and used textbooks. If you're willing to sacrifice aesthetic for a good bargain, then choose from the many sub-categories of used textbooks. These sub-categories include "Like New," "Very Good," "Good," and "Acceptable." Be sure to read all product descriptions thoroughly, and look for good seller ratings when making a purchase.
Step 3 Some schools offer rental books for students as an alternative to purchasing the book. During my experience with textbooks in undergrad, I have actually kept my basic science textbooks (Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Organic Chemistry) to study for the MCAT with. For all of my other classes, I either purchased and re-sold the textbook I needed for the semester, or I rented it. Rental prices are very reasonable, usually between $30.00 and $50.00. The only downside to renting textbooks is the freedom you have with highlighting and marking the pages. If you're like me, you'll know that highlighting re-enforces concepts and makes for much easier studying.
Step 4 Ask around! No matter what your degree field, there will always be other students who have already taken a class you need books for. Depending on how close you are to your peers, you may want to ask a friend to borrow a text book for the semester. This is how I scored solutions manuals for almost all of my classes. Trust me, the photocopier became my best friend. Borrowing textbooks is a great way to save money. Just remember! A textbook is being loaned to you with the trust that you will take good care of it, so do just that.
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