Textbooks
The Western Connecticut State University Bookstore is your source for all your classroom needs. You can visit the bookstore to purchase your books and supplies or visit the bookstore website and purchase your items online. However, there are other options to consider when thinking about purchasing textbooks. The following information is provided to help you explore those other options.
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New versus Used Textbooks
Used textbooks are often less expensive than new ones. Many students enjoy the savings from using used books. Be careful to note if the new book comes with any discs or workbooks. Many used textbooks to not include those items. Additionally, some students do not like the distraction of reading books already marked up by someone else’s highlighting. You do not know what grade that person received. Some used books might have been used at another college and the highlighted materials might emphasize different materials from your professor. You need to decide what works best for you.
Textbook Edition
Always confirm you are purchasing the edition of your textbook that the professor is using in class. Publishers are always changing editions, check with your professor to see if an older version is permitted. It might be less expensive to purchase an older edition (used or new).
Textbooks are available from other sources. It is important that you comparison shop and purchase only from reputable online sites. Items to consider when purchasing textbooks online:
- Confirm that the edition is correct
- Take into consideration any tax and shipping costs
- When will be book be delivered? Do I have time to purchase the book before classes begin?
- What is the store return policy?
Comparison Shop
By using the ISBN number of the book (located near the barcode) you can compare prices between different retailers:
- Adebooks.com
- Addall.com
- Affordabook.com
- Alibris.com
- Allbookstores.com
- Amazon.com
- Bestbookbuys.com
- Bigwords.com
- Bn.com
- BookFinder.com
- CampusBooks4Less.com
- DirectTextBooks.com
- Half.com
- Textbookpricecomparison.com
Used Textbooks
Besides the WCSU Bookstore, used textbooks might be available from these retailers:
- Bookbyte.com
- BuyUsedTextbooks.com
- Campusbooks.com
- CollegeSwapShop.com
- Ebay.com
- Halfvalue.com
- Textbooks.com
- TextbooksX.com
- Amazon.com
- Valorebooks.com
Ebooks
EBooks may be available from these sites as well as available from the WCSU Bookstore:
- CampusBooks.com
- Coursesmart.com
- eCampus.com
- eFollett.com
- Cengagebrain.com
- Pearsonhighered.com/student
- Wiley.com
Online Book Swaps
These sites allow you to trade books with other users online.
- Bookins.com
- Campusbookswap.org
- Swaptree.com
Rent Textbooks
These sites allow you to rent your textbooks for a determined timeframe. However, keep in mind that you have to return the book before the return date to avoid late fees, and must be returned in reusable condition:
- Bookrenter.com
- Campusbookrentals.com
- Chegg.com
- Skoobit.com
Free Downloads / Open Source
Some books are now able to be downloaded or viewed online for free:
- Books.google.com/books
- Flatworldknowledge.com
- Gutenberg.org
- Lpl.org (Internet Public Library)
- Oerconsortium.org
- Wikibooks.com
Campus Library
The WCSU Library might contain a copy of the book that you need – www.consuls.org/search~S8/
This information is provided solely for your convenience and WCSU in no way endorses any of these options. WCSU makes no warranties, either express or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or suitability of the information contained within the sites. Transactions made through any of these sources are the exclusive responsibility of the student.