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Save space and money with cheap textbook rentals instead. Plus, when you rent college textbooks from us, you score the following: The lowest prices. Our marketplace model compares millions of rentals from thousands of rental providers, meaning you can always find the book you're looking for at the cheapest price online.
College students know us as the #1 source for cheap textbooks, as well as discounted books online, whether they are new or used, for sale or for rent.
For the past 15 years Affordabook has helped students save thousands of dollars by finding the cheapest textbooks for sale and for rent online.
Affordabook works for your favorite books and novels too!
If you are looking for a best-selling novel or any other book, our website can help you find the best price for it in mere seconds. No need to visit 10 different online bookstores to compare prices, we'll find the cheapest price for you instantly.
Students are always looking for bargains and discounts. Visit our discounts page for the latest deals.
Why Do Textbooks Cost So much?
Textbooks aren't cheap. The cost of school books for a full year of college and university can be over $1,200.00, whether you attend a community college or an expensive ivy league university.
One reason for the high cost of textbooks is specialization.
Another reason, is that some professors want their students to purchase their own research books, which are usually under contract through a publisher in much lower numbers than what may be found at a mainstream bookstore. And further, limited edition printings required by some courses, may cost more because the press run is smaller than what is normally done by large publishers.
Also, some universities, although diverse in their programs, have set curricula every few years, and have set a listing of special titles students must purchase for each class. And within these set curricula are several text listings that stay in the reading list for one to ten years at a time.
Where The Money Goes on a $100 Textbook
Expense | Percentage Of Cost |
Printing Costs | 32.4% |
Bookstore Costs | 17.9% |
Marketing Costs | 15.4% |
Author Royalties | 11.6% |
Publisher Costs | 10% |
Publisher Profit | 7% |
Bookstore Profit | 4.2% |
Shipping Costs | 1.5% |
How To Save
One way to save on your textbooks, is to compare prices amongst many web sites and buy or rent them from the cheapest textbook websites.
While textbook prices have dropped around 15% over the past three years (as of March 2019), prices are still too high for the average college student. That's where Affordabook comes in, we compare prices at the most trusted and reliable textbook stores to help you save some dough! To get started do a search at the top of the page.
So, if you are wondering how to get cheap college textbooks and how to find cheap textbooks, Affordabook can help.
Get more bang for your buck! Money saving tips:
College students are always needing to save money on everything, not only textbooks, so when it comes to car insurance, they have options to save on rates. Learn how.
I know, the thought of life insurance never enters a college student's mind, but there are some important reasons why they should consider it. Especially if the student has large student loans. Read more here.
Buy used textbooks, and pay attention to condition
If you want a cheap textbook buy a used textbook; used textbooks can save you hundreds of dollars a year over the list price. When buying used textbooks be careful to pay attention to the condition of the textbook. Used textbook sellers will describe their used textbooks using terms like 'as new', 'good', 'fair', or 'acceptable,' the latter will likely contain highlighting or other markings. Lastly remember to keep your textbook in good condition should you want to sell your textbook it at the end of the college semester as you will get less money back if your textbook has writing in it.
If you want a cheap textbook buy a used textbook; used textbooks can save you hundreds of dollars a year over the list price. When buying used textbooks be careful to pay attention to the condition of the textbook. Used textbook sellers will describe their used textbooks using terms like 'as new', 'good', 'fair', or 'acceptable,' the latter will likely contain highlighting or other markings. Lastly remember to keep your textbook in good condition should you want to sell your textbook it at the end of the college semester as you will get less money back if your textbook has writing in it.
Buy your used textbooks early
Used textbooks are the cheapest textbooks available, and therefore used textbooks are the first textbooks to go. Always try and buy your textbooks as early as possible since there are always a limited availability with used textbooks. Buy textbooks early so you won’t have to worry about expedited or priority shipping options.
Used textbooks are the cheapest textbooks available, and therefore used textbooks are the first textbooks to go. Always try and buy your textbooks as early as possible since there are always a limited availability with used textbooks. Buy textbooks early so you won’t have to worry about expedited or priority shipping options.
Sell your used textbooks online
Sell back your used textbooks with BookFinder.com's textbook buyback. By selling your used textbooks you can help cover the cost of next semesters textbooks or that summer road trip. Our textbook buyback partners only buy a limited number of used textbooks each semester so sell your used textbooks early for the biggest buyback payoff. Best of all shipping is free with all BookFinder.com textbook buyback partners. Sell your used textbooks on BookFinder.com now
Sell back your used textbooks with BookFinder.com's textbook buyback. By selling your used textbooks you can help cover the cost of next semesters textbooks or that summer road trip. Our textbook buyback partners only buy a limited number of used textbooks each semester so sell your used textbooks early for the biggest buyback payoff. Best of all shipping is free with all BookFinder.com textbook buyback partners. Sell your used textbooks on BookFinder.com now