Researching Used Textbooks Before You Buy

Now that you understand all the choices you have on where and how to purchase used textbooks, you need a starting point to begin your research. To give you that starting point I’ve created a pdf version of a Book Information Research (BIR) Form. Click here to download a free version of Adobe Reader if you need it to view the form. Each sheet will cover two books. For a regular course load print out about 10 sheets, or as many as you think you might need. Now let’s go over how to fill it out and how to use it:

Your Class Schedule Please

Hopefully you’ve pre-registered for your classes and feel confident about your schedule working out for you as is. If you’re registering late, or know you need to make a change to your schedule, consider waiting to buy your used textbooks. You’ll want to avoid the inconvenience of having to return an online purchase. You may even consider buying used textbooks from a local bookstore with a favorable refund policy. Once you’ve got a firm schedule in place, you’re ready to begin your research.

Filling out the BIR Form

What exactly do you need to know before you can start your search? These days the publishing industry is so convoluted there can be multiple publications for the same edition of a textbook. Some publishers may print a custom edition for your class, or include a specific supplement in the edition you’re required to buy. With all this nonsense you need to be thorough in your research. Here are the vital questions you need to have answered so you can do a price comparison and decide if and where your going to purchase your used textbooks:

• What book do I need, and has the professor requested the book as “required” or “optional?”
• What is the ISBN number of the text? (The ISBN number is a unique 13-digit number assigned to each text and located near the bar code on the back, or on the copyright page inside the front cover.)
• What is the last name of the first author listed?
• What is the edition and copyright year of the text?
• What is the name of the publisher of the text?
• Are there additional materials bundled with the book at the local bookstore, and how important are they to the course work?
• Can I get by without the bundled stack and just buy a used copy of the text?
• If the professor has ordered a custom edition of the book, can I use the standard edition? (The standard edition will have a better residual value and a larger audience of potential buyers once you are through with it.)
• Does the book have a newer edition out or about to be released?
• Is an electronic version available for free on the Internet?
• Does the professor have a copy available on reserve at the library?

On the first day of class the professor will usually hand out a course syllabus with details to the books you need for the class. To increase your odds of finding cheap used textbooks you want to start your research at least two weeks before the term begins. We need to explore some ways to get these questions answered before the term starts.

The typical flow of book information starts when your professor decides which textbooks they’ll order for the class. That information is then forwarded to the department secretary, who then forwards it on to the school sponsored bookstore. A good place to start your research, particularly if you’re not near your campus is the Internet.

See if your professor has a website with the course information listed there. You should be able to search for your professors website from your schools homepage. Search by the name of the professor, the name of the class or department until you find what information is available. If the information available doesn’t answer all of the questions you can attempt to e-mail your professor asking for answers to anything you haven’t found on your own. If you don’t get a response from the professor right away you can always try the department secretary, sometimes they know more about the course materials than the professor!

Next you need to search the Internet for your school sponsored bookstore’s website. Again start your search from your schools homepage and see where that links you. If the bookstore provides information on their website, you should be able to search by the course. Hopefully the bookstore has decent website with complete information about the ordered textbooks for your courses. You’ll be looking to verify any information you’ve gathered so far, and to fill in any missing information. While you’re on the bookstore’s website check the availability of new and used textbooks and list the pricing on your BIR form.

Due to the increasing competition from the Internet, the local bookstores may try to limit the book information available to you over the Internet. If you’re not able to get all of your questions answered using their website, you can give the bookstore a call. Again, fearing competition from the Internet, the bookstore staff may limit the information they’re willing to give out over the phone. When you make the call consider posing as a new student planning on buying your used textbooks locally. Most of the bigger schools will have at least one local competing bookstore, so ask questions about their service and prices compared to the local competitors. If they believe they’re competing for your business against the local competition, and not the Internet, they may be more likely to answer your text related questions.

If you’re away from the campus, hopefully you’ve been able to complete your research. If you’re near your campus it’s a good idea to make a trip in to the school sponsored bookstore to check the shelves for yourself. It helps to see the book and check it against the information you’ve compiled from your research. If you find any discrepancies you can begin by asking the bookstore staff for their explanation, then go back to your professor for their explanation until you have any conflicting information resolved.

Obtaining a refund, or trying to correct mistakes made on an Internet purchase is a hassle you should try to avoid. You want to make sure all of the research lines up before you make a purchase over the Internet. If there are any questions you can’t get answers to, delay buying used textbooks until you know for sure.

Comparison Shop

Once you’ve answered all the vital information about the book you're ready to do your comparison-shopping. You’ll want to check each of the stores serving your campus, then return here and use my book search comparison tool to get my recommended choices.

Next you’ll want to review your objectives and make your decisions. Click here to see some sample BIR forms filled out and the decision cycles used in the notation fields that may be useful for you: Sample BIR Forms

Next I'll review all the choices you have to purchasing the new in-print version of your required material, begining with: Used Textbooks





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