Textbook Buying Tips

Consumer Tips for Buying Textbooks

The following suggestions can help students make smart decisions when purchasing textbooks.

1. Know your store’s refund policy, especially deadlines.
2. Keep your receipts. Bookstores require receipts for textbook returns.
3. Don’t write in your books until you’re certain you’ll be keeping them.
4. Buy “used” books whenever possible.
5. Don’t forget to calculate shipping expenses into the total cost.
6. If you have a choice between buying a textbook by itself, or the same text packaged with a study guide or software package, make sure you need both parts. Packages can be a great value but are often non-returnable once opened.