<p>The list for my D textbooks came out, OMG! It didn't include 2 classes and the cost for 2 classes was $528! I am in shock, it was for Chemistry and Calculus but still.</p>
<p>It is cheaper to order the books online. She is leaving in 2 weeks and we are wondering if the books can be shipped to her school or should she have them shipped to our house. </p>
<p>Also is it necessary to order the study guides? If I remember my S did not order the study guides and he didn't have any problems but do most people order them. Is it necessary to buy the exact edition of the book?</p>
<p>My S is also in engineering but his books were no where near what they want for her books.</p>
<p>Definitely look around for used additions. Others can provide some specific websites. I also would check on shipping time. If it's more than 2 weeks, than definitely ship to school. You might also consider waiting 7-10 days to order them, (again, depends on shipping/processing time) and ship straight to the school. Absolutely no need to pay shipping twice if it's long distance, and it will be one less thing to move in.</p>
<p>I have done this alot. I had good luck with a website called Alibris, I found everything he needed there and had everything shipped directly to him at school. I agree with waiting for a bit after your student arrives at school. Sometimes the teacher does not use all of the books on the list.</p>
<p>My son has bought books from Amazon and has them shipped directly to his school after he finds out what he needs for his classes. He always pays up for the Expedited shipping so the books will be sent Priority Mail. If you just go with standard shipping they'll be sent Media Mail, which can sometimes take 2-3 weeks. For an extra $3 you have the assurance that the book will get there within a week-probably less.<br>
Look for books in the "very good" category that have no highlighting. (they must state if they do) and you probably will not be disappointed with the condition. Our son has saved us a bundle by going to this extra trouble.</p>
<p>Also, I do think it's important to get the Edition that the professor wants. You want your kid to be on the same page as the prof.</p>
<p>Agree with cronie -- we order many of D's texts from Amazon, and have them shipped directly to her at school. The expedited shipping is a little more, but we still save a bundle over buying the books at school. The exceptions are (1) used texts carried by the bookstore which MAY be a good buy -- D is fussy about books and won't buy any used books that already have a lot of highlighting and (2) texts for a one-time course (i.e. to meet a divisional requirement) that she can borrow from a friend for the semester. I like buying from Amazon since if there are any problems, I'm dealing w/ a known entity.</p>
<p>There are a couple of websites where you can get used textbooks--Alibris, AbeBooks, Half.com are all reasonable. Get the ISBN number of the book the prof has assigned. That way you know that you'll have the exact book/edition that the prof is using.</p>
<p>Also check if there are any bookstores local to the college town that sell the books used. There is a used book store in my daughters college town that sells used text books at about the same price as Amazon and cheaper than the used books at the school book store. She likes that she can look through the books and make sure they are not too marked up.</p>
<p>We just bought her books today - $575 and that was mostly used and at around half price. Science books are a killer.</p>
<p>Amazon has a used booksellers section and it's run like an auction. There may be a local buyer to your home or your school that you could buy from in person.</p>
<p>I find that Barnes and Noble does a good job getting textbooks to me quickly - this is in the Northeast. Barnes and Noble handle the textbooks for a lot of schools so they typically have college texts used locally ready to ship.</p>
