Ten Ways to Shop Smart and Save on Textbooks; Skipping the Campus Bookstore Isn’t One of Them

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Ten Ways to Shop Smart and Save... And Skipping the Campus Bookstore Isn’t One of Them

OBERLIN, OHIO, July 17, 2018 – According to the soon-to-be-released Student Watch: Attitudes & Behaviors toward Course Materials 2017-2018 Report, students, on average, spent $484 on textbooks and other course materials last year. That’s down 16% over the previous year, when spending averaged $576, and a 31% decrease in the past 10 years, when spending averaged $701. Students are comparing prices and taking advantage of a number of cost-saving options, including used books, rentals and free and electronic materials.

As students get ready to head back to campus, the National Association of College Stores (NACS) offers the following tips on how they can save on textbooks and course materials:

1. Buy used or electronic textbooks and course materials. These options are often one-third to half the price of buying a new print textbook.
2. Rent course materials. Renting course materials from the campus store helps avoid the shipping hassles and returns students may experience with online companies.
3. Shop early. The sooner students shop, the more likely they are to find a good selection of lower-cost used books and rentals.
4. Use price-comparison tools. Check the campus store’s website for a price-comparison tool. Students can save time and money by finding the best option at the best price.
5. Know the return policy. If a student drops a class or the professor decides not to use the material, they’ll need to return it before the deadline to get a full refund.
6. Don’t write in or unwrap books or course materials until they’re certain they’ll be keeping them. Most stores won’t give full credit for course materials that have been marked in or opened.
7. Keep receipts in a safe place. Most retailers require them for returns. Also, textbook receipts are needed during income tax season when filing for the American Opportunity Tax Credit. For details on how to apply for the credit, go to textbookaid.org.
8. When shopping online, check the shipping costs – both ways. Know the full price of buying online. If students need to return a book, they need to find out the costs involved.
9. Know how long it will take materials to arrive. If students buy online at the last minute, they could be without materials for the first two-three weeks of class.
10. Know the difference between editions. Students should use the book’s ISBN and edition when comparing costs to ensure they’re comparing apples to apples. The campus store will carry the correct one, but it’s easy to purchase an outdated version online as they often have the same title and cover. In some cases, the changes are minor and it won’t matter, but it pays to be sure in advance.

Check out the campus bookstore for special deals and incentives. Stores offer reservation discounts, price match guarantees and other incentives. It’s convenient, and most campus stores offer students a range of options, including used, rental, and electronic. Many also have more flexible return policies that mirror campus deadlines. In addition, students can avoid any hidden shipping and handling fees and the inconvenience of having to ship materials back to multiple online sellers (and remembering where they got each item).

About The National Association of College Stores

The National Association of College Stores (NACS), headquartered in Oberlin, Ohio, is the professional trade association of the $10 billion campus store industry. NACS provides education and other resources that help its member stores support student success, the campus experience, and the academic missions of higher education institutions. The association represents all campus stores, which include nearly 4,000 campuses in the U.S. and Canada, and approximately 1,000 industry-related companies that supply course materials and other merchandise and services to campus stores.