New Text Books or Used Ones? Should you sell books back?

parent2noles · 07-16-2006, 02:27 PM

I would suggest you buy used books if possible, and remember to compare the prices at the University Book Store vs. Bill's Bookstore. Sometimes there are differences, and you can save a bit.

Buy new books if the used ones are sold out, or you plan to keep the book as a long-term reference. From past experience, few books turn out to be that useful over time, except perhaps in areas where change is not too rapid, or the basic principles are timeless (math, physics, law, etc.).

Sell back the books you don't keep as references. Remember to keep your books in the best condition possible, if you plan to do this. Sell them back as soon as your class has finished.

Before you buy any used book, make sure it is complete (intact) and usable.

Ensure you are buying the correct book for your class section. Sometimes there are variations in upper-division, or specialty classes.

cybermom · 07-16-2006, 04:43 PM

I didn't know about Bill's Bookstore. I found the link:

http://www.textbooks-billsbookstore....DR0371VCLCDWEE

Thanks for the tip!!

DemiReticent · 07-30-2009, 05:37 PM

True about making sure it is complete. I bought a used health textbook for a correspondance course and the book was missing a whole chapter.

sunnyflorida · 07-30-2009, 06:36 PM

Just be aware of the details of selling books back to the bookstore or Bill's. My D had a ($120 brand new) Psych text that was in great shape after one semester, and they gave her $12 for it. Now granted, I got it online and did not pay the $120 the bookstore was asking originally. I purchased it for $60. But it irritated me that they gave D $12. They told her they have "plenty" of that text and so that's all they could pay. But they were selling the same used text for $85.00 So now I list them on Half.com or Amazon. I would rather sell the book to a STUDENT for $12 than to a bookstore that will turn it around for a $73 profit. The U bookstore is independently owned, and FSU does not benefit from the turn around profit from either the bookstore or Bill's.

We do like visiting Bills when in town. They have three locations and lots FSU stuff for sale. And the FSU bookstore has lots of great "stuff." I am just not a fan of the book prices or what they will pay to buy back.

Matt125 · 07-30-2009, 11:11 PM

^Thanks for that bit of information. I bought a 140 dollar Astronomy book online for 73 bucks and was wondering what to expect for it when returning it. I think I'll try to sell it to someone myself. I know Bills was selling it used for about 100, so I could probably do alright.

Bill's Bookstore is not cheaper than the University one btw.

sunnyflorida · 07-31-2009, 06:53 AM

It is INCREDIBLY easy to list books on amazon and Half.com. I usually list on both and which ever site sells it first I pull the other listing. Listing is FREE on both, they only take a portion if you sell it. I try to list books with the lowest or near lowest price and give a good description. I had a stack of 6 texts to sell left from spring for D. I am down to 1 book. I sold two this week. The sellers pay for postage, and we both make out well. They get a great price and I get a little back. And now that I buy new/used on amazon or half.com, I pay 50-70% of the list price to begin with, and resell for 25-30%, I am much happier. D also trades use now. She had 2 fall books she traded use with 2 friends for two books she needed spring. They traded back at the end of Spring and then I listed them.

Sure beats $400-600 per semester for books for 5 classes and 2 labs, etc.

larryw09 · 07-31-2009, 02:54 PM

Hey does anyone know if FSU gives us all of our aid money and then we decide what to do with it?

I was trying to get my dad to buy some books online but then he said what if I use my money on books and then FSU won't let me reimburse myself with the award money, since the money is supposed to be for school onlly?

larryw09 · 07-31-2009, 03:17 PM

NVM, figured it out. I wish I could delete posts...

sunnyflorida · 07-31-2009, 03:29 PM

My understanding is that the award money is applied to tuition/fees and anything left over is deposited into your FSU Suntrust account or you can ask for a check. The check takes 6 weeks and the credit to your FSU Suntrust account takes 24 hrs

Noles Mom · 07-31-2009, 07:10 PM

what if FSU uses up bright futures, then stafford and I have a shortage and have to use plus loan. How much plus do they give me when I dont even know myself, especially with books.

zapakovex · 09-16-2009, 05:50 PM

Why do I need to login to look up the price of a book?

sunnyflorida · 09-16-2009, 08:42 PM

You can access the U bookstore and search by name or title or course and find books and prices without logging in to anything. http://www.bkstr.com/CategoryDisplay...03-1?demoKey=d. This link will let you search by Dept, then course, then section.

You can do the same at Bills Bookstore.http://www.billsbookstore.com/. Search by course or title or author.

cybermom · 09-24-2009, 01:52 PM

I just read an article about the state providing access to 120 free online textbooks.
I think the web site is The Orange Grove | Digital Repository

A new state initiative, called Orange Grove Texts Plus, will provide 120 textbook titles free if students go online to view them. Students can download and print the books, or they can buy bound volumes at about half the cost of regular textbooks.