Best Places to Rent College Textbooks

TL;DR Top contenders for renting college textbooks include Chegg and Amazon. Additionally, consider using library resources or exploring student marketplaces.

Chegg and Amazon

Chegg and Amazon are frequently mentioned as reliable platforms for renting textbooks. Chegg is noted for offering competitive prices and a wide selection of books [3:1][4:1]. However, there have been instances where rented books from Chegg were not in the expected condition [3:3]. Amazon also provides textbook rentals, and while generally reliable, users have reported occasional issues with book conditions [3:3].

Library Resources

Utilizing library resources can be a cost-effective way to access textbooks. Some universities offer interlibrary loans which can expand the range of available materials [2:2]. Checking with your campus library might provide free or low-cost options for accessing required texts [1:1].

Student Marketplaces

Many colleges have student-run marketplaces, often on platforms like Facebook, where students buy, sell, or rent textbooks directly from each other [3:2][3:5]. These marketplaces can offer significant savings and convenience, especially if you prefer dealing locally and avoiding shipping fees.

Alternative Websites

Other websites such as Valorebooks.com and Abebooks.com are recommended for purchasing international versions of textbooks at lower prices [3:4]. Bookfinder.com is another tool that aggregates listings from various sellers, potentially helping you find cheaper rental options [4:4].

Considerations Beyond Renting

Before renting, assess whether you truly need the latest edition of a textbook. Older editions can often suffice, especially if assignments do not require specific problems from newer editions [4:5][5:4]. Additionally, searching for PDFs online might yield free copies of textbooks, reducing the need for rentals altogether [5:2][5:4].

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POST SUMMARY • [1]

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Buying Textbooks

Posted by Remarkable_Fan8954 · in r/Temple · 1 month ago

3 upvotes on reddit

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ORIGINAL POST

What are some websites to buy/rent textbooks for university?

1 replies

rosslynchloverlady · 1 month ago

go to the library and rent them out!

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/SDSU • [2]

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Where can I rent textbooks for cheap ?

Posted by lzg2002 · in r/SDSU · 8 months ago

Where can I rent or buy textbooks for accessible prices?

1 upvotes on reddit

7 replies

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7 replies

geographys · 8 months ago

Try library.sdsu.edu and if they don’t have it, try inter library loan (illiad)

1 upvotes on reddit

beeviinew · 8 months ago

🏴‍☠️

2 upvotes on reddit

lzg2002 · OP · 8 months ago

Like what websites?

1 upvotes on reddit

dreadfulclaw · 8 months ago

Just look up on YouTube how to pirate textbooks and you will find many guides

2 upvotes on reddit

Wooden_Spend7137 · 8 months ago

slugbooks.com

1 upvotes on reddit

Extension_Nature_957 · 8 months ago

Why do you need to rent?

1 upvotes on reddit

ichbdime · 8 months ago

libgen.is has free indefinite loans

2 upvotes on reddit

See 7 replies

r/college • [3]

Summarize

Best place to buy and sell textbooks?

Posted by [deleted] · in r/college · 6 years ago

Is there a certain website you guys can rent or buy used textbooks and sell them back that works best? Or am I able to buy or rent cheap ebooks anywhere? I have 4 textbooks + 2 English reading books for my first semester of college coming up I need to buy and my campus bookstore is allowing us to “rent” textbooks ranging from $70-100 to have for 3 months, and I know that it’s just a bad idea to buy from campus bookstores. So yeah, where do y’all buy and rent your books?

2 upvotes on reddit

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7 replies

BluJayTi · 6 years ago

My college has its own Facebook market page for students. I find this is the best way to buy and sell anything over cash or venmo if your college has its own market-thing.

3 upvotes on reddit

REVIGOR · 6 years ago

My small school also has a student-made Facebook page and it is very active and I've sold a few books. I'd recommend that first, otherwise, I know Chegg lets you rent books but I haven't tried it.

If there's no page for the school, there's always a first time.

2 upvotes on reddit

Actually_Neptune · 6 years ago

Check amazon. They are pretty competitive for rentals

2 upvotes on reddit

mrbmi513 · 6 years ago

I've rented almost exclusively from Amazon the past two years and only had one somewhat bad experience. I got a book where the binding was still good, but the front cover was coming off. Amazon did refund my rental and let me keep the book, though, so that's a win.

Compare that to a site like chegg where I rented a hardcover book but received and insanely beat up loose leaf version instead (rubber banded together, not even in a binder). Needless to say that one was returned immediately.

1 upvotes on reddit

Actually_Neptune · 6 years ago

I’ve never had that happen but that’s nice of them. I think for a semester I spend about $100 dollars. That’s for 4-5 books. I believe the most expensive book was about $30 and it was a Calculus textbook.

1 upvotes on reddit

gerbaily · 6 years ago

Everyone should be buying international version of their textbooks because screw an $800 price tag when I can get the same information with a different cover for $15.

Top two sites I use; Valorebooks.com Abebooks.com

4 upvotes on reddit

leopardprint_tunic · 6 years ago

I have had good luck with Chegg. You can rent texts for a semester if the book you need is available. They also buy used textbooks.

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/college • [4]

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Best places to look to rent textbooks

Posted by HarmDeezy · in r/college · 6 years ago

Where are you top places to rent textbooks for the semester?

1 upvotes on reddit

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5 replies

NoahTheCA · 6 years ago

Chegg. Looked everywhere for a book and Chegg was by far the cheapest

1 upvotes on reddit

HarmDeezy · OP · 6 years ago

Unfortunately neither chegg nor amazon has the new edition that we “need”. Unfortunately it’s calc so the problems will be different with an older edition

2 upvotes on reddit

NoahTheCA · 6 years ago

Does the teacher actually assign problems out of the book? I haven't had a professor do that for anything math related

Try googling the name of the book to see what else comes up. I know there are a few other sites out there as well

1 upvotes on reddit

UnironicSportsFan · 6 years ago

Go on bookfinder.com, looks old but does the trick

1 upvotes on reddit

18dwhyte · 6 years ago

Chegg and Amazon will most likely be your top contenders

3 upvotes on reddit

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r/AskReddit • [5]

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College students, where is the best place to buy/rent textbooks for relatively cheap?

Posted by csark0812 · in r/AskReddit · 7 years ago

3 upvotes on reddit

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5 replies

theragco · 7 years ago

I check the internet first to see if I can find a pdf, also ask the teacher how important the text actually is, many might not even use the textbook for anything other than reading assignment where you can easily find the previous edition for free download. Other than that Chegg is totally worth a subscription to and offer textbook rental relatively cheap.

3 upvotes on reddit

WhosYourMorty · 7 years ago

Chegg

3 upvotes on reddit

FourEyesWhitePerson · 7 years ago

I highly recommend not buying a book until to are positive you absolutely need it.

Try to find PDFs online, you’d be surprised how many they are.

Also, if you don’t have specific assignments straight out of the book, buy older editions. They’re the same thing but cheaper and have different exercises in them.

2 upvotes on reddit

tplgigo · 7 years ago

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B1ZCM1FvMOfielc5Vk5wVGQtdlk

3 upvotes on reddit

cdncbn · 7 years ago

I've found that 'showyourboobsfortextbookshashtagdotcom' is the best reputable textbook place

2 upvotes on reddit

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r/UIUC • [6]

Summarize

Textbook rental in champaign and urbana

Posted by saybellus · in r/UIUC · 7 months ago

I want to know the best textbook rentals in urbana-champaign area.

1 upvotes on reddit

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CreativeWarthog5076 · 7 months ago

I always bought on online retailers used like Amazon or eBay, Barnes an nobel. And then resold online as well.

The newer gen always recommends finding a pdf online

2 upvotes on reddit

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r/LawSchool • [7]

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What websites do you guys use to buy/rent books? I just looked at my books for next semester and they’re freaking crazy! I would like to try renting them next semester.

Posted by hell_on_the_heart · in r/LawSchool · 6 years ago

5 upvotes on reddit

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7 replies

millystarrysky · 6 years ago

Use bigwords.com to search isbns for the best prices whether renting or buying.

4 upvotes on reddit

TransientSilence · 6 years ago

I mostly use Amazon rentals. Every now and then my bookstore will have a book cheaper than Amazon, but not often.

3 upvotes on reddit

brikachuu · 6 years ago

to find the cheapest prices:

bigwords.com

bookfinder.com

campusbooks.com

cheapesttextbooks.com

2 upvotes on reddit

MrSmallANDLoud · 6 years ago

Hey, get the online ones . Cheaper

8 upvotes on reddit

hell_on_the_heart · OP · 6 years ago

Do you have a website?

2 upvotes on reddit

MrSmallANDLoud · 6 years ago

E books are always available via amazon. I cannot condone using any of these -> https://imgur.com/gallery/y7KXKyG As it’s horrendously wrong and immoral. Don’t start off your legal career like that.

16 upvotes on reddit

_BindersFullOfWomen_ · 6 years ago

CheapestTextbooks.com — you type in the IBSN of the book and it pulls up all the prices to rent/buy it and tell you if it’s better to buy or rent.

3 upvotes on reddit

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r/college • [8]

Summarize

Do you guys rent, keep or sell textbooks?

Posted by trevorblackbag · in r/college · 5 years ago

I'm a freshman and I'm thinking of buying hard copy textbooks and keeping them just in case it comes in handy in the future. What's your opinion on this and what do you guys do to your textbooks?

47 upvotes on reddit

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10 replies

favela4life · 5 years ago

People in my class/major have a huge shared Google Drive with pdfs of textbooks we need. Unless the professor says you can only use non-digital textbook during the exam, we mostly just don’t buy any. If I have to, I’ll first check out the library, otherwise I’ll rent from Amazon/Chegg/bookstore.

12 upvotes on reddit

mechE_or_bust · 5 years ago

I get mine for free in PDF form, when possible. I've only paid for 1 textbook so far, in my first semester, naively. I keep them on my iPad so they're easier to keep track of and search.

77 upvotes on reddit

ifnothingbecomes · 5 years ago

Where do you find free PDFs?

7 upvotes on reddit

BrolyDisturbed · 5 years ago

Yo ho! Yo ho! A pirate’s life is for me!

28 upvotes on reddit

Atsubaki · 5 years ago

Free, used, rent, buy in order of priority. Chances are it will sit in your room and collect dust especially if your prof uses ppts.

26 upvotes on reddit

cadet3lol · 5 years ago

If it's a textbook for your major, I generally buy those to reference in future classes or for work in the future. (They probably won't help much).

If it's a required classes your not interested in, rent.

19 upvotes on reddit

ham_beater · 5 years ago

Pirate them

10 upvotes on reddit

Hallow_Eve · 5 years ago

but w h e r e

2 upvotes on reddit

ham_beater · 5 years ago

I usually use library genesis

2 upvotes on reddit

Han_without_Genes · 5 years ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/trackers/comments/hrgmv/comment/c1xrq44

2 upvotes on reddit

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r/ucf • [9]

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Does anyone know of any other website to rent books at an affordable price other than Chegg?

Posted by Dylan99sh · in r/ucf · 2 years ago

17 upvotes on reddit

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9 replies

SHaD0S · 2 years ago

I second LibGen, but if you prefer physical copies I'd check with whoever published the textbook. https://www.thriftbooks.com/ is another good site that I use for used books.

8 upvotes on reddit

Znowballz · 2 years ago

Does it have to be physical or is a pdf ok?

If pdf is an option, Google the exact name of the textbook and add .pdf it'll be within the first couple links for free

7 upvotes on reddit

Dylan99sh · OP · 2 years ago

Just tried that, didn’t work :(

1 upvotes on reddit

[deleted] · 2 years ago

Try it again but on tor😈🥴

Kidding kidding please don’t do that

5 upvotes on reddit

[deleted] · 2 years ago

Buy books legit and don't try to illegally download books from websites like http://libgen.is/ and save hundreds of dollars.

You wouldn't steal a car right?

27 upvotes on reddit

IndexDuo · 2 years ago

That’s right. I’ll specifically have that site bookmarked, and make sure I’ll never visit it, ever.

25 upvotes on reddit

jimmothyhendrix · 2 years ago

libgen for 0

47 upvotes on reddit

Dylan99sh · OP · 2 years ago

Just tried that and it doesn’t even pop up 🥲

1 upvotes on reddit

darxx · 2 years ago

Some textbook publishers have deals for textbooks. Like Cengage has CengageUnlimited for as many of their books as you want in a term.

7 upvotes on reddit

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r/AskReddit • [10]

Summarize

What are some good places to get used/cheep college textbooks?

Posted by Major-Operation-8572 · in r/AskReddit · 3 months ago

3 upvotes on reddit

9 replies

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9 replies

JuanOfThree · 3 months ago

i SUppose Amazon would have them.

Universities used to have local bookstores which would sell new and used books.

1 upvotes on reddit

Major-Operation-8572 · OP · 3 months ago

Mine does sell them used, I've heard rumors online of places that offer news one for prices cheeper then used, or even free if youre willing to break a law or 2

2 upvotes on reddit

masterpieceroy · 3 months ago

Ebay. At least here in the UK, I have bought a lot of textbooks from Ebay. Sometimes, you can get used textbooks on amazon too.

1 upvotes on reddit

MiguelIstNeugierig · 3 months ago

The internet via pdf form🤫🤫🤫

1 upvotes on reddit

Major-Operation-8572 · OP · 3 months ago

I cant stand ebooks unfortunately. I gotta have a hard copy

1 upvotes on reddit

Just_here_for_cheese · 3 months ago

Truly- digital versions 💯. I have mild dyslexia and ADHD- and they will read the book aloud to you you while I move around. Also- you can keyword search for studying for quizzes and exams. Plus, if you have a smartphone, the textbook is always on you so if you get stuck waiting somewhere, you can read a bit.

1 upvotes on reddit

MiguelIstNeugierig · 3 months ago

Honestly same, though you can always print them....though this can become expensive. I guess print as you go with the subject's topics

1 upvotes on reddit

DigitusDesigner · 3 months ago

Print them?

1 upvotes on reddit

MissSagitarius · 3 months ago

Libgen is free

2 upvotes on reddit

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best places to rent college textbooks

Key Considerations for Renting College Textbooks:

Price Comparison: Always compare prices across different platforms to ensure you're getting the best deal. Some sites may offer lower rental rates than others.
Condition of Books: Check the condition ratings (new, used, acceptable) to ensure you receive a book that meets your standards.
Rental Duration: Look for flexible rental periods. Some services allow you to extend your rental if you need the book longer than initially planned.
Shipping Costs: Be aware of shipping fees for both receiving and returning the textbooks. Some services offer free shipping.
Buyback Options: Consider whether the rental service offers a buyback option if you decide you want to keep the book after the semester.

Top Recommendations:

Chegg: Offers a wide selection of textbooks, competitive rental prices, and free shipping on orders over a certain amount. They also provide a 21-day risk-free guarantee.
Amazon: Amazon Textbook Rentals often have a vast inventory and competitive pricing. Prime members may benefit from free shipping.
Campus Bookstores: Many college bookstores offer rental programs. This can be convenient, especially if you prefer to pick up and return books in person.
BookRenter: Known for its user-friendly interface and price comparison feature, BookRenter allows you to rent textbooks at competitive rates.
eCampus: Offers a large selection of textbooks for rent and has a price match guarantee, ensuring you get the best deal.

Recommendation: Start by checking Chegg and Amazon for the best deals, as they often have the most competitive prices and flexible rental options. Always read the rental terms carefully to avoid any unexpected fees.

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