Don't Buy College Text Books

Chegg.com and Other Rental Sites Prove to Save Students Money

Aug 7, 2009 Christopher Pascale

College text book prices are outrageous. Rental sites, such as Chegg.com, make them less expensive with less stress.

When browsing for text books this semester, many students will peruse their college store and compare the items on such sites as Amazon.com in the hopes of purchasing their books for less.

In this quest to save money, one cannot help but wonder why it is that every year or two there is a new edition released on such subjects as geometry and early American history, restricting students from selling back their books, and preventing them from being able to buy used copies, since there are none.

Out of the darkness and into day, a new website has emerged: Chegg.com.

Chegg.com Helps Students Save Money and Lessen Debt

When students rent books, they can save an enormous amount of money. For example, if a first semester freshman was to take a course load related to a general studies education, his text book costs would be as follows:

• English Composition- $52.95*
• Early American History- $97.94
• Elementary Spanish- $130.94
• Public Speaking- $80.45
• Art Appreciation- $92.57

* Please note that these prices are from Amazon.com, which has discounted these items. School stores and other site prices may vary.

The total price for buying all of the books on Amazon.com would be $454.85 versus $236.19 on Chegg.com, resulting in savings of $218.66. At this rate, students would more than $1,700 over eight semesters, or more than half of the $2,700 that average students have in credit card debt upon graduation, according to Financial Traps for College Students on YoungMoney.com.

How Renting Text Books Works

When students enter the site, Chegg.com, they can browse before setting up an account to rent books. If they find favorable prices, such as the student in the example above, then they can enter their information and have their books shipped via UPS.

When the book(s) arrive, students can keep the box for return shipping, or throw it away and use another box at the end of the semester.

When classes are over, Chegg.com will have a return address slip waiting to be printed with shipping already covered for delivery. In addition to this, students can sell books they've bought at their school store, or elsewhere, to Chegg.com.

Students Can Help Save the Earth by Renting Text Books

Chegg.com is a very green company. For every book rented, sold, or donated to the company, a tree is planted.

Students who would be thrilled about this can even dedicate the tree in the name of a loved one or an organization that they care about, such as Habitat for Humanity or Charity: Water.

Text books are becoming less and less necessary to hold onto as professions change rapidly and information is readily available through the Internet. With rental sites like Chegg.com, students can save money, time, and contribute to the environment simply by changing where they order their text books.

The copyright of the article Don't Buy College Text Books in Continuing Education is owned by Christopher Pascale. Permission to republish Don't Buy College Text Books in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Renting Text Books Saves Money

Old Texts Can be Full of Outdated Info

Text Book: Aging Source; Internet: Updated Sources

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Comments

Aug 7, 2009 5:26 AM

Guest :

I agree with your points to a certain degree, however, as it comes to becoming a business professional, many text books will double as reference books. Care should be taken to decide which books should and should not be purchased.

Aug 9, 2009 3:16 PM

Christopher Pascale :

Thanks for the comment; I'm glad to have a person with a contrary point of view that does not reek of being a text book salesman.

As I've written papers over the past year or two I've found several recurring references. Though none have been text books, I imagine that some may be in the future.

However, not all professionals would be well served by them. An accountant would not be as he would be required to take continuing ed every year to stay current. Real estate professionals would be in the same boat, and a business manager would be better educated in the field than he ever could be in the classroom. In fact, a business manager would be better off purchasing a text book from two editions back (same info in a different order- I know from experience) if he wanted such a reference.

Thanks again.

Aug 22, 2009 11:31 AM

Guest :

I hated mortgaging my home for books, and then not being able to get refunded for them! -stupid new editions... Chegg and the discount code (every bit helps) make it really affordable. Additional 5% Off Entire Order.....Promo Code: CC100221

Oct 22, 2009 2:49 PM

Guest :

Chegg.com is good and has some ok prices I would also suggest using GreenTextbooks.org
Save Money, Save The Planet

GreenTextbooks.org specializes in the recycling of textbooks, DVDs, CDs. Buying used textbooks not only saves you money, but cuts down on greenhouse gases caused by the manufacturing of new textbooks.
With GreenTextbooks.org you're not only saving trees, you are saving some green. http://www.GreenTextbooks.org

Nov 24, 2009 12:57 PM

Guest :

I think Chegg has the right philosophy and I hope they continue their success. For those of you interested in renting from them, I found a discount code for 5% off an order or $5 in extra cash if you sell them your books: CC101276

5 Comments