Text Talk

We’re back. The winter break is over and colleges are revving up again. Non-traditional students, though, know that calling the holidays a "break" is like calling a two-day blizzard a "possibility for precipitation." We’re still recuperating from our break.

In any case, just a word here about textbooks. Regardless of your outlook – you’re "paying for R&D" or you’re "paying highly inflated prices for no apparent reason" – it’s time to buy. If you haven’t already, check online.

Amazon.com may have used copies of the same text and edition (watch that edition and make sure you get the right one) for half the price or less. These copies come from private parties, bookstores, libraries and other sources. I’ve found many textbooks this way. They may not come shrink-wrapped or with the proper CDs or addendums, but I’ve also found that I don’t usually need those. Generally, a prof will tell you to make sure you get the one with the CD, if it’s needed.

Barnes and Noble also sells textbooks and you may find a deal, or try Craigslist.org or eBay.

And if you absolutely need a particular book, and need it now and new (for example, you waited too long, and the college bookstore and online sources are out), go to the publisher’s website. I’ve found books that way, but they aren’t cheap.

If you want to sell your textbooks, now may be your moment. Right after a semester, when everyone sells back, your market is flooded. Put them online right now, when everyone's buying, and see what happens. Amazon offers an opportunity to do this, and of course, so does Craigslist.org or eBay.

But two things about selling textbooks. I’ve often found myself wishing I’d kept my texts, since they’ve often had information I could use in future courses. I’ve started to keep mine. But if you do want to sell, don’t limit yourself to recent editions. Somewhere, someone may want that text your college bookstore won’t buy back. I’ve sold 10-year-old textbooks for $40 to $70, depending on the subject. Can’t hurt to try.

Good luck on your textbook purchases and may we all use this semester to relax from winter break.