Buying Used Books
As a budget limited college student, finding the best price for textbooks is a must. There are several avenues to explore when you compare book prices and conditions. Some used textbooks may have notes in them, a few crinkled pages or even some highlighting in them. This can be beneficial. If another student finds excerpts of information useful, perhaps you should too. The benefit of purchasing a new book is that it has a higher resale value.
New Books are Expensive
Finding cheap textbooks is difficult to do when they are in new condition. College textbooks range from $75 to over $400 each in some cases. This reflects the difficulty of the subject of study as well as the cost of production and the fees paid to the writers of the books. Textbook information is specific, even if it is a general studies topic; the information has to be precise.
Too Many Markings in Used Books
One of the biggest complaints from students in regards to purchasing used books is the markings in them. As mentioned above, this can be helpful. Consider it as a gift from the previous student or students that have had possession of the book. These highlighted or noted items may hold significance and can assist you in retaining important tidbits of information easier.
For those that are not big fans of reading to begin with, skimming through highlighted and noted markings is an easier way of learning and retaining information.
Older Publications have more Wear
As textbooks transfer from student to student, the books begin to show wear on them. This weakens the condition and is what helps to make cheap books possible. The content is still valuable inside the book but the condition is mostly where the value comes from.
Always look at the condition of a used book carefully. Inspect the spine to ensure that it is intact. Leaf through the textbook to make sure there are no missing pages or chapters. Books in this type of condition should be passed by as they will not be entirely beneficial to your studies.
New Books have Better Resale Value
New textbooks that remain in good condition and those that have no markings in them have a higher resale value. Students will be attracted to used books that were purchased new and kept in pristine condition much more.
This is important to keep in mind as you move onto other studies. Passing down your used textbooks helps to recover some of the money spent on them. These funds can be put toward purchasing cheap textbooks for other courses, purchasing additional supplies, a new study lamp or whatever you really need to get by.
Keep books purchased in new condition in better resale condition by using waterproof book covers. Make sure that these do not have any kind of adhesive on them as the adhesive can ruin the exterior of the book. This will be undesirable to students looking to purchase cheap books in used condition.
Pricing Used Books for Private Sale
When pricing used books for sale, keep your initial investment in mind and make the purchase worthwhile for the new student. Consider using a textbook price comparison website to help determine your price point. Look at other books of the same title and examine their condition in reference to the price. Try to price your book for sale slightly below other listed prices to help yours sell.
Which is better?
This question you really have to answer yourself. The reason being, you may want to resell your textbooks for a higher price, but this means you’d need to purchase them in new condition. Perhaps you don’t want books that are scribbled in or highlighted on, but the price is right and you’re strapped for funds. Weigh the options and make the best decision for your personal and financial needs.
For those that have a big textbook budget, it doesn’t hurt to save a little extra money for unforeseen expenses or emergencies. There are times when financial aid is delayed and you need funds for lab fees or items for a special project. The funds saved from purchasing used textbooks can provide enough to obtain those items. Make the best decision for your needs, budget and preferences.
New Books are Expensive
Finding cheap textbooks is difficult to do when they are in new condition. College textbooks range from $75 to over $400 each in some cases. This reflects the difficulty of the subject of study as well as the cost of production and the fees paid to the writers of the books. Textbook information is specific, even if it is a general studies topic; the information has to be precise.
Too Many Markings in Used Books
One of the biggest complaints from students in regards to purchasing used books is the markings in them. As mentioned above, this can be helpful. Consider it as a gift from the previous student or students that have had possession of the book. These highlighted or noted items may hold significance and can assist you in retaining important tidbits of information easier.
For those that are not big fans of reading to begin with, skimming through highlighted and noted markings is an easier way of learning and retaining information.
Older Publications have more Wear
As textbooks transfer from student to student, the books begin to show wear on them. This weakens the condition and is what helps to make cheap books possible. The content is still valuable inside the book but the condition is mostly where the value comes from.
Always look at the condition of a used book carefully. Inspect the spine to ensure that it is intact. Leaf through the textbook to make sure there are no missing pages or chapters. Books in this type of condition should be passed by as they will not be entirely beneficial to your studies.
New Books have Better Resale Value
New textbooks that remain in good condition and those that have no markings in them have a higher resale value. Students will be attracted to used books that were purchased new and kept in pristine condition much more.
This is important to keep in mind as you move onto other studies. Passing down your used textbooks helps to recover some of the money spent on them. These funds can be put toward purchasing cheap textbooks for other courses, purchasing additional supplies, a new study lamp or whatever you really need to get by.
Keep books purchased in new condition in better resale condition by using waterproof book covers. Make sure that these do not have any kind of adhesive on them as the adhesive can ruin the exterior of the book. This will be undesirable to students looking to purchase cheap books in used condition.
Pricing Used Books for Private Sale
When pricing used books for sale, keep your initial investment in mind and make the purchase worthwhile for the new student. Consider using a textbook price comparison website to help determine your price point. Look at other books of the same title and examine their condition in reference to the price. Try to price your book for sale slightly below other listed prices to help yours sell.
Which is better?
This question you really have to answer yourself. The reason being, you may want to resell your textbooks for a higher price, but this means you’d need to purchase them in new condition. Perhaps you don’t want books that are scribbled in or highlighted on, but the price is right and you’re strapped for funds. Weigh the options and make the best decision for your personal and financial needs.
For those that have a big textbook budget, it doesn’t hurt to save a little extra money for unforeseen expenses or emergencies. There are times when financial aid is delayed and you need funds for lab fees or items for a special project. The funds saved from purchasing used textbooks can provide enough to obtain those items. Make the best decision for your needs, budget and preferences.