NewsfeedIn general, online outlets like Amazon.com and Half.com are less expensive than the bookstore. But the quality of the book isn't always guaranteed, and not all listings can be completely trusted. Here are some guidelines for buying online:
1) Make sure you're getting the correct edition.
Most professors require the most up-to-date version of a textbook. You may be able to get by with an older version of a text, but most revisions add some things that weren't in a previous edition. That can come back to haunt you on tests.
2) Buy from reputable resellers.
Joe's Book Shack might have the best price, but you'll have a better chance of getting the right book in the best condition if you buy directly from Amazon. Both Amazon and Half.com sell books for various resellers, so pay attention to where the book is going to come from when buying online.
3) Don't buy books in bad condition.
Simple as that. If you're missing chapter four, you're not going to do very well on the chapter four test. Most booksellers won't try to sell you something that's just unusable, but be safe and just buy something in good or average condition. Knowing the reseller helps in this regard.
Additional graphics from Reading into textbook prices:
