eCampus vs Chegg for December 2024 | Best College Textbook Stores

Item: eCampus vs Chegg
Rating: 4.5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Wednesday, December 11th

2024 College Textbook Store Reviews

eCampus

Established in 1999
Trusted by educational institutions
Offers a Price Match Guarantee
Competitive rental rates
Platform offers a Marketplace for third-party sellers
Free shipping on orders over $35
Rewards program
"A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau
Strong reputation and positive customer reviews

eCampus, established in 1999, is a trusted online platform for purchasing, renting, or selling textbooks. They offer a Price Match Guarantee against two specific competitors, competitive rental rates, and an exclusive Marketplace for third-party sellers. eCampus also has free shipping for orders over $35, a rewards program, and an "A+” from the BBB. With top-notch reviews and a firm reputation, eCampus stands out as a leading choice in the college textbook resale industry.

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Chegg

Easy search for textbooks by title, author, or ISBN
Rent physical or digital textbooks starting at $4.99
Generous return policy for physical and digital textbooks
Access to step-by-step solutions for thousands of textbooks with additional subscription
Highlighting permitted in rental books
Free shipping on orders over $35
Quality of Book Guarantee
Buyback program and discounts

Chegg was started in 2005 as a textbook rental service and is now a multi-faceted educational resource, offering services like online tutoring, homework answers, and scholarship searches. The website has an easy-to-use search function for textbooks for rent or purchase, a generous return policy, and they allow highlighting in rented books. Chegg will replace your textbook at no cost to you if you're not satisfied with the quality, and they have a buyback program for used textbooks. Despite a previous data breach, Chegg is still a popular option for their variety of services and competitive prices.

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The 10 Best College Textbook Stores

Knetbooks

eCampus

Valore Books

Textbooks

Chegg

TextbookX

Amazon

BiggerBooks

eFollett

Pearson

Where Can You Find the Cheapest College Textbooks?

Picture this: Emma is a sophomore majoring in Economics. A new semester is approaching, and she's been handed her list of required readings. Instead of braving the long lines at the campus bookstore and potentially paying high prices, she turns to online college textbook stores.

In a matter of minutes, she's located every textbook she needs, some at heavily discounted prices or even available for rent. Not only does she save money, but she also saves time, making her semester preparations smooth and hassle-free. Right on, Emma!

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What are the best College Textbook Stores

College Textbook Store FAQ

Do colleges and universities still use print textbooks, or are they mostly digital?

You'll probably find a mixture of both. At some schools, you can choose whichever format you prefer (and, according to The New York Times, 50% of students prefer a print textbook!).

How much do textbooks cost?

You won't be surprised to hear that books can be free, like certain open source online textbooks, but some can cost as much as $1,000 or more! The College Board recommends that students plan on setting aside $1,200 each year for textbooks and course materials.

Why would I buy my textbooks online instead of my campus bookstore?

Your campus bookstore will likely be selling the textbooks at full retail value, or maybe even with a bit of a markup. And, even if they offer used books, you'll be competing with everyone else at your school to get a copy. Shopping online lets you get the exact same books for the best available price.

Can I buy good used textbooks online?

Absolutely. Most online textbook stores make it easy to determine the condition of any title you need, and you can even get them in new or like-new condition - at a fraction of the price you'd pay for a brand-new text at your college bookstore.

How much will I pay for shipping?

That depends on the textbook store you use and how quickly you need the book. Many providers offer free shipping for economy shipping, with options to upgrade if you want to get it faster.

Is it true that I can rent my textbooks instead of buying them?

Yes! Both print and digital textbooks can be rented through many textbook stores. Be sure to read the terms and conditions before choosing the rental option: you'll want to know if you're allowed to mark up the book or save any of your digital notes, when your rental period will end, and any instructions you'll need to follow to return the textbook when the class finishes.

What if the textbook comes and isn't what I needed? Can I exchange it or get a refund?

Most textbook stores know that students may buy a textbook they wind up not needing: classes get cancelled or dropped, the wrong edition is ordered, and so on. You typically have a risk-free return period of anywhere from 14-21 days from the purchase date, so you'll need to time your purchase carefully (ordering enough in advance that the title is available, but not so far ahead that you can't return it once the class starts).

Are online textbook stores legitimate?

Without a doubt. Some textbook stores have been in business for a decade or more, with excellent customer ratings and a strong reputation with the Better Business Bureau. Buying your textbooks online can save you a significant amount of money and hassle!

Continued from above...

Online college textbook stores have revolutionized the way students acquire their academic resources. These platforms offer a convenient, often cheaper, alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar stores. With just a few clicks, students can purchase new or used books, rent textbooks, or even access digital versions.

How much could you save? In some cases, students might spend over $1,000 per semester on required course materials, especially if they are studying in fields that require expensive textbooks or access codes for online resources. It's obvious that every penny counts, so why not take advantage of every possible way to get your textbooks for less money? You could cut that $1,000 in half (or even more) by skipping the school bookstore and opting to source your books online.

When choosing a college textbook retailer, it's important to consider several factors to be sure you get the best deal and the resources you need. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

Cost. How much does the textbook cost on this site compared to others? Look for competitive prices. Are there any special deals or discounts? It's always a win to save some money.
Selection. Does the website have the textbooks you need? Check if they offer both e-books and physical copies. It's best to have choices to fit your study style.
Shipping and return policy. Can they get your textbook to you before classes start? Consider shipping costs and speed. If the textbook isn't what you meant to order, is returning it easy? A good return policy can save you from headaches later on.
Access codes. Do you need an online code for your course? Some books come with codes for online materials. If buying used or renting, is the code still valid? Make sure you're getting everything you need.

Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best online stores to buy college textbooks, both secondhand and new. We hope these reviews help you get the books you need for school quickly and without spending too much.