If you are like me, and many other college students, you want the most bang for your buck when it comes to purchasing textbooks for classes. Campus bookstores love to take every penny they can from students, and why? Because they know chances are they are going to get those last minute purchases from unlucky students who didn't think to search online for better deals! That way they can make up for the students they didn't get, by overcharging on every single thing.

  One of my third quarters spent on campus was a very bad situation for everyone. Colleges had merged, and only given staff a week or so to prepare for every student who would grace the hallways. First day of classes had begun and you knew things were bad when the bookstore wouldn't unlock it's doors until way past opening. Grant money hadn't come in, and it's shelves were basically empty from not ordering books on time, or lack of ordering the correct books. And one thing happened that will keep me even farther away from my campus bookstore for as long as I can help it, they had a man pay $12.00 for a notebook... yes a plain and simple, college rule (dollar store I'm sure) notebook. Their reasoning behind this? They may have had it priced wrong. The man pitched a fit, and the ladies inside the store didn't understand why.

  My first tip within my guide?

  1. Avoid college campus (and outsourced) bookstores at all costs.
      You can find all the important things you need online, and basics at cheaper stores such as Walmart, Kmart, and Dollar General.

  2. Make sure to gather all information possible about textbooks.
      If at all possible ask the teacher if you may view the cover for the class so you know what it looks like ahead of time. Copy down the ISBN 
      number, textbook name, authors, edition, and publishing date. (Seems like a lot of information I know, but you will be happy after all your 
      hard work when you get bragging rights about all the cash you saved!).

  3. Search for the precise title when looking.
      Ebay is a great place to look for used textbooks, as well as it's other website half.com. Be sure you search the correct title while on eBay,
      since searching the ISBN number may not render as many results. If you are using a site that asks for a ISBN number than certainly do so.

  4. Do not settle for something you feel uncomfortable about.
      There is no such thing as a free meal, but it also doesn't hurt to ask! If you've found a textbook you like but feel a bit uncomfortable about
      price, or listed details, ask the seller questions. Do not ever feel as though you don't have the right to ask a seller about the product their
      selling. Although that seller is doing you a favor by offering it online for sale, you are also doing a favor to them by offering to buy it. But if
      someone refuses to communicate well, go down on price (by small amounts), or post descriptive details and photos, move on! There are
      other more helpful souls out there who will work with you.

  5. If you're working through a semester and bookless, communicate!
      Your teacher has the legal right to print off the first two chapters of a textbook they're using for their class. They've already sold the
      publishers book to all of their students, and classes. So be sure you ask if you can get ahold of the first two chapters so you don't fall behind
      during your textbook search. Most people don't know this, only aiding the bookstore in overpriced sales!

  FINAL ADVICE
      Brag about your findings and savings, but be sure to help a fellow student out if they need your help. Students should never let another fall 
      down if they can help it so be sure to step in when no one else does. Be the first, and set the example! Goodluck with your education and
      congratulations on furthering yourself academically, it can only help to make your future brighter and better.

  Thank you for taking the time to read my guide, I truly hope it helps you on your quest to finding affordable textbooks during these hard economic times. I also sincerely hope that I am able to help a few people, but if you feel as though I have left something out and would like to help me help others please feel free to contact me. Any information I can add to my guides is more information I can pass along.