Students often ask how they should decide whether to buy or rent their books. As a result of answering this question fairly often, I thought we should add a post here that compares the differences & how each student should decide which option is best.

First, what is a rental? What do you do after a semester is over? How do you return it?

FreeTextbooks now offers textbook rentals on thousands of titles, which can be a cheaper alternative to the usual ‘buy & resell’ method. This gives students another great option for finding textbooks, and also makes FreeTextbooks the only site that lets you compare buy & rent prices side-by-side, all while finding your books by course. Know your schedule? Find your books, compare buy/rent prices, get ‘em fast, earn cashback – only at FreeTextbooks.

Here’s how rentals work:

1. Rent your books - Once you find the books you need, select the amount of time you’d like to rent it (semester/quarter/60-days), add it to your cart, & checkout.

2. Get your books - During checkout, select your shipping option. We offer low, flat-rate expedited delivery via FedEx Ground or USPS Priority Mail, plus FedEx 2-day & Overnight rates for books that are confirmed in stock.

3. Use your books – Read your textbook & complete assignments for your courses as normal. You are not allowed to write on the pages. Feel free to highlight, but keep it to a reasonable minimum. If you return your book in a condition that prevents us from renting it again, your card will be charged the replacement cost.

4. Return your books – Visit your ‘My Account’ page toward the end of your rental period to find your FREE FedEx return shipping label & packing slip. Put your books in a secure box or envelope, attach the label, and drop off at any FedEx location. Books must be postmarked by your due date or a 25% late fee will be assessed.

Now for the buy/rent comparison…

Buying Books

Pros:

-better option if book is needed for more than one semester/quarter

-you get to sell it back at the end of the semester/quarter

-you own the book, which means you can highlight, write/mark-up pages, etc

-owning the book also means you can keep it if desired

Cons:

-can be a higher initial cost

-sometimes, students are dissatisfied with buyback value

Renting Books

Pros:

-can be much cheaper if book is only needed one semester/quarter

Cons:

-must return via mail by due date or late fee/replacement cost will be charged

-no writing allowed & limitations on how much you can highlight.

-more expensive if book needed more than one semester/quarter

Hope that helps! Please let us know if you have any questions – we’re here to help! contact@freetextbooks.com