buying books online

[Eugenia Gabrielov]

Here are a few things to take into account when purchasing books online. I have had excellent experiences with both half.com and Amazon.

Used Versus Unused
In general, it is best to buy most of your books used. You probably already know this, which is why you are buying from half.com instead of your campus bookstore. However, keep in mind that "Used" gives no further description than the fact that the item was, at one point in the past, purchased as new. Sometimes you can find better deals on new books than on used books (I've had this happen more than once). Shop multiple sites - using both Half.com and Amazon is a pretty safe bet.

Things to Look for

• A good user reputation - read buyer comments and check ratings carefully. User experience is also important to notice, though many new users are still good sellers
• A quality above "mediocre / poor": If you want to sell this book back to anybody, ever, you might consider getting a book of at least decent or good quality.
• Legitimacy: How much less expensive is the book than other sellers? If it's $5, cool. If it's $40 cheaper, be careful.
• Quality: Is it paperback or hardcover? Read comments - very good to one person might not mean the same to you.
• Edition: Is the book the correct edition for your class? Email your professor if you can't find it anywhere, or search by the author's name to find newer editions. Purchasing an old edition may (very occasionally) result in missing chapters or problems. Textbook companies do this on purpose. Nice profesors sometimes offer problem numbers for new and old editions

Beware the International Edition
International editions are generally paperback copies of books. Though many are in good quality, they often lack answer keys and may even be missing chapters. Many students I know have not had good experiences. They are also practically impossible to sell back.

Used books are great, but use your instinct. If it seems extremely sketchy, it very probably is.

[Beth Sweet]

I'm going to second Genia.

STAY AWAY FROM INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS!

They claim that they are the same. Frequently, they are either photocopied versions of copyrighted books or "special copyright allowances" which are only supposed to be sold in the country they're being sold out of.

Additionally, International Editions, as Genia said, are not the same a good chunk of the time. The seller will claim they are the same. They are not. Typically, it is difficult to send them back and many sellers will cause you significant hassle to do so (if they will accept it).

Bottom line, if it is the same quality rating yet significantly less costly, assume that it's international and choose another.

[Ryan Dognaux]

I absolutely refuse to buy from the campus bookstores as it's basically highway robbery. Buy your books online. The only time I haven't been able to find a REALLY good deal on my textbooks were when the class required the latest edition that had just been released.

Also, sometimes the books don't change much from edition to edition. Often times I'll wait until the first class or send the professor an e-mail early asking them if an earlier edition will be acceptable.

Half.com is amazing. I use Amazon.com's marketplace and Half.com to purchase all of my books. Half.com is also a really easy way to sell your books back - you don't have to worry about auction listings and when your book is sold, you'll get an e-mail with the address to ship it to. Really convenient, highly recommended.

Side note: You can also find really good deals on video games too, especially if the game has been out for a few weeks or a month.

[Wetzel]

I've been able to buy books from Half, and then sell them to the bookstore during buyback for a profit. Other times, I've gotten a book for cheaper at another local bookstore.

Be careful not just about the international editions, but numerical editions. I just finished a forensic criminology class where the syllabus specified 7th, but the campus bookstore got the 8th. The teacher ended up making the test from both and throwing a major curve because they were very different editions. However, if you get an older edition than specified, you probably won't get a curve.


Really, just pay attention and shop around.

[Molten]

Ok, I bought my books and used media mail. How long should I expect to wait for my books?

[Eugenia Gabrielov]

4 - 10 days from receiving your shipping notification is a standard wait for Media. If you're lucky they'll come at 4, but most of mine come within 1 or two weeks.

Just keep in mind that the shipping day isn't always the same as the order day with Media Mail and other online services - they'll send you an email (usually) when they ship.