Archive for the ‘textbooks’ Category

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Why are college textbooks so expensive?

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

It’s a very good question posed by the Good website. Why are college textbooks so expensive? The answer is because prices are artificially inflated. This article debates the pros and cons of ebooks but details the fears of publishers that widespread use of etextbooks will lead to large scale book piracy.

I would like to add one thing – never ever pay the list price for a college textbook. There is always a choice and AbeBooks remains a very sound source for affordable college books. Every day thousands of students find traditional paper textbooks at AbeBooks for very cheap prices. Just take a look at what they say on Twitter.

theameriqueen
I saved $585 on textbooks using abebooks.com. Best site for college students!

Only1Juelz
i bought my text books online from ABEBOOKS.com all new for more than half the price

sam0ny
Just ordered my $85 int’l film book for $7.47 on #abebooks yess

OMG_Hella
Just ordered my books for school one was $3 the other $1.50 abebooks.com baby lol

JustinTillyer
STUDENTS: abebooks.com, type in the ISBN of your textbooks and buy from this site. Just found a $138 textbook on there for 13.99, no joke.

ElliottGarcia
I’d like to thank Abebooks.com for providing textbooks at discounted rates! #JafraBiz

TinyNiecy Niecy Honey !
try ordering online for cheaper :) like Abebooks.com is really cheap .

Posted in AbeBooks, textbooks | No Comments »

Textbooks going cheep

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

Attention college students! Don’t be chicken of buying your textbooks at AbeBooks. We’ve got thousands of new and used books at cheep prices. Other websites offer poultry savings compared to AbeBooks.

Posted in AbeBooks, textbooks | No Comments »

AbeBooks Sends Me Textbooks on the Cheap

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

Thousands of students across North America are preparing to return to college in the coming weeks and as usual AbeBooks is also gearing up to supply cheap textbooks to people who are counting every dollar. But don’t just take my word for it. My colleague, Jordan, in the AbeBooks marketing department has written and performed a country and western-themed song entitled ‘AbeBooks Sends Me Textbooks on the Cheap’ and it tells you everything you need to now. We’re cheap, fast and easy (but also musical).

Posted in AbeBooks, music, textbooks, video | No Comments »

Textbooks wanted: buyback program ready & waiting

Monday, May 30th, 2011

If you are a student, or if you have a student in your life, please remember that AbeBooks.com has a textbook buyback program. With many students having no completed their exams, AbeBooks is looking to buyback used textbooks.

Just visit our buyback page, type in the ISBNs of the books you wish to sell and we will instantly tell you how much we’ll pay for them. We even pay for the shipping and you receive a check. It’s easy and brings in a little extra cash for whatever is being planned for the summer.

Posted in AbeBooks, textbooks | No Comments »

Textbook Tax Credits

Thursday, March 24th, 2011

This is a public service announcement for any students, or parents of students for that matter, looking for a little extra break this tax season. I know you’re just getting ready for exams but we just wanted to remind you all that in addition to selling your old textbooks back at the end of your semester, and buying textbooks early the easiest way to save money on education costs is to take advantage of tax credits come income tax season. Both the American and Canadian governments have tax credits available for students, and here are some details.

American Students:
For the years 2009-2012, the American Opportunity Tax Credit has been unveiled in the United States. It allows students to receive up to a $2,500 tax credit on the out-of-pocket cost of tuition and related expenses which include required course materials (ie: Textbooks).

TextbooksThe basic eligibility criteria are:
- You can be eligible for the first four years of college
- Credit is only available where no other financial grant aid covers
- 100% of the first $2,000 and 25% of the next $2,000
- 40% of the credit is refundable with the maximum refundable amount of $1,000
- Phase-out for taxpayers with adjusted gross income in excess of $80,000 or $160,000 for married
couples filing jointly (AGI phase out limits are $90,000 individual, $180,000 married couples filing jointly)

The website Textbookaid.org provides an example:
If you or your student has out-of-pocket course material expenses or tuition and fees during 2010 or 2011 and no other financial grant aid covers those expenses, you will be able to claim the expenses as a credit. For each student the credit is limited to $2,500.

Let’s say your federal tax liability for 2010 is $2,000 before the American Opportunity Tax Credit and your student had $5,000 in allowable higher education expenses. The first $2,000 in out-of-pocket textbook purchases, tuition, and fees goes towards your tax credit at 100%. Everything over that is allowable at 25% up to a total credit per student of $2,500. You would have a credit of $2,000 plus $500 of the remaining $3,000 (25% of the expenses over $2,000 up to an extra $500 credit). Because this credit is partially refundable, the $2,500 credit results in a refund of $500! If your 2009 tax liability is zero and your student’s textbook credits were $2,500, you can receive a refund of $1,000 because the credit is 40% percent refundable (.40 x $2,500 = $1,000).

Canadian Students:
The Canadian government doesn’t have any new or special programs running but as always you can reduce your taxable income by up to $65 for ever month you are a full time student by presenting receipts from textbooks purchased. You should be able to find complete details on eligibility on this page of the Canada Revenue Agency site.

Clear as mud?

Posted in news, textbooks | 4 Comments »

$187 textbook for about $40

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

The Huffington Post was complaining about the cost of textbooks yesterday. In this short piece a Santa Clara University student named Christine was bemoaning the fact that her Human Genetics textbook cost more than $1 per page.

This is only the cost if you refuse to shop around. We just looked this exact textbook up on AbeBooks (Human Genetics by Yashon and Cummings) and you can have it for $40 (including shipping) if you live in the states or about $46 if you’re a Canuck like me.

Christine if you’re listening, it’s not too late to save money on your textbooks this semester. It sounds like you are just a junior and have not learned the textbook ropes yet, check the prices at AbeBooks and I promise we will save you some money over the next few years!

Posted in news, textbooks | 1 Comment »

AbeBooks’ Buyback: Sell Old Textbooks for Cash

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

Most students know AbeBooks offers thousands of cheap new and used textbooks. But did you know we buy them back too? The AbeBooks’ Buyback service is a fast, safe, convenient way to earn money for your unwanted textbooks.

Simply enter the ISBNs of the books you wish to sell and find out how much we’re offering to buy them back. We even provide free shipping. And it’s not just textbooks – we also buy back start reference books, cookbooks and ordinary reading books. Sell those old textbooks and earn some case.

Posted in AbeBooks, textbooks | No Comments »

“The best deal was at AbeBooks.com….”

Monday, November 15th, 2010

A college newspaper at the University of Wisconsin (Waukesha) recently ran a price comparison on textbooks and compared the campus bookstore to AbeBooks, Chegg, Amazon, Bigwords and Half. Guess who had the best price? I’ll give you a clue – it wasn’t Chegg, Amazon, Bigwords or Half. Learn more about finding the cheapest textbooks on AbeBooks.

Posted in AbeBooks, media coverage, textbooks | No Comments »

Cheap textbooks? Look no further

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Vast numbers of college students are heading back to class in the next couple weeks, and the annual chore of buying textbooks has begun. The average amount a student spends on textbooks each year has been quoted at $900 and more.

But you are not average are you, you wont spend that much because you know that AbeBooks will help you slash that bill in half, or better. Sound too good to be true? Don’t take my word for it, just ask The Detriot Free Press, Kansas City Star, Internet Retailer, The Georgetown Voice, and MSN Moneycentral who are just some of the journalists touting the benefits that AbeBooks can offer…

And because I like you, I’ll let you in on a little secret, two of our top textbook sellers are having a textbook sale right now. Better World Books and TextbooksRus have both discounted their entire inventory, of already low priced textbooks, by 10% until the 19th of September and September 12th respectively. So grab your textbook list and find some deals because the cheapest used textbooks are the first ones to go so the earlier you can buy your textbooks the more you will save.

Posted in Media Mentions, textbooks | No Comments »

AbeBooks’ Textbook sale: Save 10% from TextbooksRus

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Getting ready to head back to school? Need a deal on a used textbook? To help you out, TextbooksRus – a leading provider of low-priced textbooks – has reduced the prices of its books for sale on AbeBooks by 10% until February 1.

To find discounted books just search TextbooksRus’ books.

Please note: Prices shown on AbeBooks have already been discounted.

Posted in AbeBooks, textbooks | No Comments »

Textbook sale: Better World Books cuts its prices by 10%

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Our friends at Better World Books have slashed the prices of their textbooks for sale on AbeBooks by 10%….just in time for the spring semester. Better World are one of America’s biggest online sellers of used textbooks and have a deep, deep selection. If you are heading back to college or university, or need books for night school, check out their 10% off sale and see if Better World have a bargain for you.

Plus Better World Books also offers free shipping within the US.

Posted in AbeBooks, books, internet, textbooks | No Comments »

Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food Causes Campus Debate

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael PollanUp for debate on the campus of University of Wisconsin-Madison is not how far the Badgers will go this football season but how food is produced and eaten.

Discussions stem from Michale Pollan’s book, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto which the university handed out for free to all incoming freshmen. Professors have also been encouraged by school officials to use the book in their classes.

While students are excited about how the book has fuelled debate which in turn has served to connect students to one another, local dairy farmers are none-too-pleased.  They see Pollan’s call to action—Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.- as an attack on modern farming and are seeking an opportunity to present their side of the story to students.

Pollan’s blaming of scientists for the preservatives in food and the replacement of true nutrition with ‘food’, has also drawn criticism from at least one UW-Madison professor.  John Lucey, who is a  food scientist as well as a professor wrote on a university web site that scientists have helped preserve foods longer, improved food safety and cut meal preparation time for busy parents.

In Defense of Food was chosed by UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin who started the “Go Big Read” program where the campus is asked to read the same book. She said she chose Pollan’s book because of its coverage of several topical national issues.

“This is our core business at the university — taking something that interests a significant number of people and let people talk about it from every conceivable point of view,” Martin said. “I love this give and take. That’s what a university is about.”

Posted in author, bestsellers, books, cooking, eco, food, life, reading, textbooks | No Comments »

Buying Textbooks is Cheaper than Renting

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

There has been a lot said about renting textbooks recently. However, when reading some of these articles, one thing has been bothering me, and that is: no one has considered the re-sale price of purchased books in the comparisons.

Take this recent L.A. Times article. While it does have some great tips for saving money on textbooks (such as finding older editions, or seeing if there is a paperback edition of the same book) the journalist missed a key point when she compared textbook rental to buying textbooks.

When you rent a book, you essentially buy and sell your book in one step, so to compare rental prices to purchase prices, you must factor the resale value into the equation; otherwise you compare apples to oranges.

The paragraph I refer to explains that she found a brand new copy of Exploring Psychology for sale online for $86, and that the same book was available to rent for $28 (note: that price has now crept up to $34.15 from the same site).

This sounds like a great savings, but the Times did not provide the whole story. First, you can buy the book used for about $60 on AbeBooks, which is an instant savings over the new price they quoted. And second, when you buy a book, you can sell it when the class ends.AbeBooks’ Buyback program is currently offering $32.72 for this exact book, which is a big reduction in your final cost.

So now when you do the math, the rental costs $34.15 and purchasing and then selling though AbeBooks would cost you ($63.75 – 32.72) = $31.03. A savings of just over $3, and it gets better:

Comparing buying/selling and renting on the 5 bestselling textbooks:

1 Biology (Campbell’s 8th Edition) – 0321543254 / 9780321543257.
List Price: $183.53
Best new/used from AbeBooks: $116.15 (AbeBooks Buyback offer: $82.51)
Price from leading Rental Company: $44.05
Final price buying and selling with AbeBooks: $33.64

2. Human Anatomy and Physiology (8th Edition) – 0805395911 / 9780805395914
List Price: $196.33
Best new/used from AbeBooks: $149.99 (AbeBooks Buyback offer: $82.51)
Price from leading Rental Company: $75.22
Final price buying and selling with AbeBooks: $67.48

3. Biology: Concepts etc (6th Edition) – 0321489845
List Price: $154.53
Best new/used from AbeBooks: $97.80 (AbeBooks Buyback offer: $64.15)
Price from leading Rental Company:$52.76
Final price buying and selling with AbeBooks: $33.65

4. Chemistry: The Central Science (11th Edition) – 0136006175
List Price: $194.40
Best new/used from AbeBooks: $108.95 (AbeBooks Buyback offer: $81.15)
Price from leading Rental Company: $69.65
Final Price when buying and selling with AbeBooks: $27.80

5. The Art of Public Speaking with Connect Lucas (10th edition) – 0077306295
List Price: $90.30
Best new/used from AbeBooks: $86.27 (AbeBooks Buyback offer: $49.19)
Price from leading Rental Company: $61.93
Final Price when buying and selling with AbeBooks: $37.08

So you save over 50% of the cost of renting when you buy and sell Chemistry: The Central Science (11th Edition).

Remember when you are looking for the best price on textbooks to compare your final costs.

All of these prices were based on searches made on August 17th 2009, and are based on the rental price for a single semester.

Posted in AbeBooks, textbooks | No Comments »

Textbook poetry – AbeBooks’ camcorder contest hots up

Friday, August 7th, 2009

AbeBooks.com is currently running a textbook poetry contest with a super sexy high definition camcorder up for grabs. After just a week, we have received many entries – we’ll be posting selection of the poems at regular intervals. Thanks to everyone who has entered so far. I’m impressed – North America’s students are making a huge effort with poems from the heart, the wallet, and some other places too.

Shelly at University of North Dakota

Cheap textbooks are the bomb!
I get mine at AbeBooks.com

Mesceille at Merritt College

“An Ode to Abe”

Cheap textbooks are my thing
With the leftover savings
I can buy some bling
One for the money
Two for the show
Three to get ready
Now don’t be slow
My fingers are quick
As I look up the name
But nobody’s better
Than AbeBooks at this game
So get on your starter
Don’t be shy
Time to search for books
And, buy buy buy
AbeBooks, hear my shout
You’re the best
Day in, day out.

Jim at University of St. Thomas

I never give new textbooks
Second looks.
I always buy used textbooks
From AbeBooks.

Madeline at Bethel University

I love cheap textbooks.
They are the best deal for me,
Because I am poor.

Vicki at Western New Mexico University

Cheap textbooks
new, used
search, click, buy
“Never pay full price.”
AbeBooks.com

Bo at University of Ottawa

I got it cheap
I got it right,
I got it from AbeBooks site!

Courtney from Yale

“The Budget meets The Two-Book Reading List”

Two texts on linguistics,
The theory and practice:
One research, the other one doctrinal.
Six-hundred pages
On syntax and form
(I learned later those chapters were optional.)

On the book jacket flap
Of the hardcover back,
The ISBN seems innocuous.
But the barcode below
Stands for money we owe,
And those numbers may come as a shock to us.

Ninety-five dollars!
Two Hundred! Then three!
These pages cost more than they should.
They’re not golden-dusted;
They’re not jewel-encrusted;
They’re simply cloth binding on wood.

I don’t undervalue
The knowledge, the balm,
For my intellect and for my psyche
That these books will impart—
Still, I’d relish that art
If a re-read were slightly more likely.

Perhaps they’ll be referenced,
Sporadically paged,
Perhaps they’ll look smart on my shelf.
But if stores were confounded,
Cheap textbooks abounded,
I’d buy more than one for myself.

Kimberly at Santa Monica College

Buying textbooks every semester was oh so depressing.
I’d rather spend the money on shoes, jewelry, and pretty dresses.
My poor innocent debit card used to cringe and whimper in fear, when I
registered for classes because it knew book buying time was near.
The school book store was a joke, everything priced so high.
Even a used textbook cost one hundred dollars and it was from 1985!

Then I had a bright idea to see what I can find online, and I stumbled
upon AbeBooks.com, and man what a find!
They had every textbook I needed for literally half the price,
The website was student friendly and I got my books in no time.
I no longer have to resort to things like selling my blood, or a
kidney, cause’ thanks to AbeBooks.com from now on it’s cheap textbooks for me.
I’ve told all my classmates that their days of ramen noodles are gone,
Because we can all buy cheap textbooks at AbeBooks.com

Posted in books, poetry, textbooks | No Comments »

Write some textbook poetry & win a Flip MinoHD Camcorder

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

Calling all penniless, broke and skint students! It’s back-to-school season again and that means textbook shopping.

Just for you student types, AbeBooks has a brand new contest to give away a super sexy Flip MinoHD Camcorder – the world’s smallest high definition camcorder apparently. And all you have to do to enter is write some poetry about buying textbooks (the joy of using Abebooks for finding the cheapest books, the agony of lines and high prices from other places).

The best piece of poetry will win – as simple as that. Be creative, be funny. Make us smile. Good luck. It could be a limerick, or haiku, an elegy – we don’t care as long it’s a good read.

Full details here.

Posted in AbeBooks, poetry, textbooks, writing | No Comments »

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