Considerations Before You
Rent Textbooks

In the past if you wanted to rent textbooks you most likely didn't have the option. The favored model for textbook usage has always been to allow the student to purchase their own book and decide at the end of the term what they wanted to do with it. Most early book rental models failed, and those that did succeed relied heavily on subsidies from the sponsoring institution offering the service. The Internet has now allowed companies willing to take the up front risk of buying the inventory, a large enough audience to produce a profitable volume of business.

The business with the most momentum that allows you to rent textbooks is a company called Chegg. Chegg’s intention is to become the Netflix of the textbook industry. Chegg’s other initiative is to operate from a “green” frame of mind by planting a tree for every book you rent from them. Chegg now has a full year of operation under their belt and should be well prepared to effectively handle the volume of business they’re likely to see this school year.

Chegg claims to realize an average savings of 60% off the new retail price for consumers who use their service. This allows them to offer cheaper up-front pricing than most retail sellers, bricks and mortar stores and Internet sites included. The drawback comes at the end of the semester when all the usual stress you’re under is accompanied by having to remember to mail back the book within the allotted time frame to avoid any late fees. If you decide you want to keep the book at the end of the semester you’ll be forced to pay the additional money for the price Chegg has set for the book.

If you’re studying history, literature or philosophy you may be able to do just as well or better finding free books on the Internet, checking them out at the library or buying from the Internet. If you’re studying from the hard sciences Chegg could save you significant up-front money. If you know you have no desire to own the book and saving money upfront is the most important consideration, Chegg may be the right choice for many or your required materials.

Make sure you read through their program details before you commit: Rent Textbooks at Chegg.com & Save 60-80%.

Be aware that the rental windows offered may leave very little margin at the end of your term. You need to make sure you time your rental agreement accordingly and make a reminder note in your planner to return your book on time at the end of the term to avoid a late fee. If you find you need more time when you rent textbooks from Chegg you do have the option to extend your rental term.

I will have Chegg integrated into my book search piece as an option once its ready. For now you will need to do your own diligence as part of your research:

Next we'll exam what to do with your books once your term is over: Selling Textbooks

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