Where can you find the cheapest college textbooks online? With education costs on the rise, college students are seeking ways to save money wherever possible. However, a person can only eat so much ramen soup or mac and cheese. Enter the online textbook marketplace.
Best Option
With more than 10 million books in their warehouse, Textbooks says they exist to help you buy your books at a good price fast. Started in 2006, this online vendor also stands as a platform to connect all students juggling their various responsibilities, including parents, readers, and tech geeks, with their core philosophy: "Happy you, happy us."
Most used textbooks in one place
Textbooks claims they have "the most used textbooks on the planet," as well as selling new books and eTextbooks. Unlike some sellers, they say that if you order a used textbook from them that comes with a CD or DVD, you will get it with your shipment. Listings will indicate whether or not supplemental items are included, so be sure to look. However, do not expect to get an online access code with a used book purchase, though Textbooks says you may be able to purchase the code separately from them or from the publisher. Textbooks only sells books; there is no option to rent.
Marketplace offers more options
In addition to selling millions of textbooks themselves, Textbooks has a marketplace with authorized sellers. These companies and individuals process their own orders and returns, and they charge different shipping costs. Interestingly, despite the fact that their marketplace sellers are "carefully vetted," they "recommend that for the best service and fastest delivery" you should order directly from Textbooks. (We wonder why they even bother to have a marketplace if they are going to discount their sellers in this manner.)
Shipping is free for most orders
Offering free standard shipping on orders of $25 or more, it's pretty easy to qualify at Textbooks. If you don't meet the minimum, the cost is $3.99. Also available are second-day air ($11.99) and next-day air ($19.98), which are much lower cost options than seen at some other used textbook sellers. If you are purchasing from the Textbooks marketplace, standard shipping is $4.99 per item and can take 6-18 business days to arrive. Alternatively, the marketplace express shipping option is $6.99 per item and should arrive in 5-8 business days. Tracking is unavailable for marketplace purchases.
Returns don't charge restock fee
Offering hassle-free 30-day returns, Textbooks guarantees your satisfaction. Books must be returned in the same condition and arrive within the 30-day return window, or they will be considered at the current buyback value (if there is one). You are responsible for shipping charges, but there is no restock fee, unlike other companies we reviewed. Activated eTextbooks are not returnable.
Some books offer guaranteed buyback amount
Claiming they "wrote the book on buyback," Textbooks asserts that you'll get the most cash if you sell your used texts to them. With 30-day guaranteed quotes and free return shipping, they provide a great option for selling your used textbooks. In fact, their "Guaranteed Cash Back" program will return 50% of your purchase price if you sell it back to Textbooks at the end of the semester. We like this option, knowing that we'll get at least half of our money back.
Out of stock popular textbook
Unfortunately, the textbook we checked at every online retailer was out of stock here in the edition we searched for. Considering Textbooks is supposed to be one of the most popular and required texts for college students, this was disappointing. Perhaps if we looked at a different time in the semester, the text would be in stock. Despite this, we still find them to be the best option for your course materials shopping.
Thousands of happy customers
With no complaints in the past year and only two over the past three years, Textbooks has earned its stellar "A+" rating from the BBB, though it is not accredited. Reviews across online platforms are mainly excellent, with nearly 1,400 5-star ratings. Pleased customers raved about receiving discounted textbooks in a timely manner. Negative reviews mention issues with buyback and customer service. However, with the high number of excellent reviews, we can confidently recommend Textbooks as a trusted option for purchasing your needed texts.
Our top choice for textbook shopping
Despite not having the popular textbook we sought, Textbooks is an excellent choice for your college text needs. With their immense selection, low prices, and free shipping on small orders, they provide a one-stop shop for most of your course-required books if you're wanting to buy instead of rent, earning them the highest spot on our list.
Great
eCampus launched in 1999 at the beginning of the dot com bubble as one of the first ways to sell used textbooks online. They have since expanded to offer new textbooks, eTextbooks, and rental options with free shipping on most orders from an inventory of nearly a million print and digital textbooks.
Price match guarantee
What sets eCampus apart? They have a price match guarantee, giving you peace of mind on your purchase or used or new texts, as well as their rental books. If you find a lower price on in-stock items within seven days of purchase at Amazon, eCampus will match it with a refund as store credit. Of course, it must be the exact item in the same condition and format. While you should see their website for more details and exclusions, we are pleased with this type of guarantee to help us save more money.
Rental textbooks available here
Claiming to have the #1 textbook rental program, eCampus not only sells books to students at a discount, but also offers rentals. However, note that supplemental materials are not included with renting a book from them. There is a place on their website to get a free return shipping label for your rental or extend/purchase the textbook. Take note that if you receive a rental in poor or damaged condition, it's up to you to contact their customer service immediately (within 30 days of shipment) for them to even consider your claim. (Given that many online reviewers complain about this, we recommend keeping this in the forefront of your mind.)
Discounts offered for multiple rentals
While they say they don't typically offer free shipping promos, eCampus suggests visiting their coupons page to check out their latest discounts. They also recommend shopping early, purchasing multiple items together, and subscribing to their email list to get the best prices. At the time of our most recent visit, a banner encouraged us to "Rent more, save more" at eCampus with the code ECRENTAL, giving us 5% off one book, 7% off two books, or 10% off three or more books.
Standard shipping is free but rush is costly
Free standard shipping (6-10 business days) is offered on eCampus orders over $35, not including items sold on their marketplace, eTextbooks, and other various items. (See their website for more information.) Orders under that amount will be charged $4.50 per shipment, plus $1.49 per item. Expedited ground, two-day, and one-day shipping are all offered for increasingly higher costs, so we suggest planning ahead to avoid the exorbitant charges ($32 per shipment plus $7.99 per item for one-day).
Returns incur high fees
When you drop a class and no longer need the text, you can return a book to eCampus for a refund, but be aware that there are costs. You have 25 days from the day the book ships to return it. Textbooks must be sent back in the same condition as the original shipment, so if you open the shrinkwrap, it won't be accepted. A 15% restock fee will be charged and you have to pay return shipping costs. Returning a short-term rental? They require the return within 15 days of the book ship date. While they don't give you very long and have a steep restock fee, we're pleased they at least offer an option so you're not stuck with a textbook you no longer need.
Rewards program for loyal customers
In an effort to help students even more, eCampus started eWards, a free rewards program to benefit students for purchasing texts, referring friends, selling back textbooks, and other activities. Points may be redeemed for gift cards to be used on the website.
Prices are competitive
The textbook we checked at every online retailer was available to rent for $84.99 per semester, with the option to buy used from $174.99. A digital option was also offered for $59.94. This is the lowest we found for a digital textbook purchase and textbook rental, and it's close to the lowest for a used textbook purchase (which could be matched with their price matching). However, we found there was an additional $5 fee on this book which eCampus called a service fee due to the "publisher consignment program." Watch out for books with a fee like this, indicated by an asterisk.
Sell back and get cash or credit
If you're finished with the textbook, eCampus wants to buy it back from you. They claim you will "get the most cash when you sell back" to them. The shipping is free and they will pay you in your choice of many different methods, including direct deposit or in-store credit (which offers a bonus). Alternatively, those who have a lot of books to sell may choose to become an eCampus marketplace seller. For a 15% commission, your books will be listed on their website and be seen by their legions of customers - and they'll give you a credit to cover shipping costs.
Explore the options in the marketplace
One bonus way of buying (or selling) textbooks on eCampus is their marketplace, which permits third-party individuals to list their inventory. All purchases are made through eCampus to keep your payment information private. Items sold this way may vary from the eCampus description, so watch for the seller's comments. The FAQs about the marketplace let you know what to do in a bunch of situations. (While there is a buyer protection policy, know that there can be issues receiving books in a timely manner. We don't recommend this option if you're in a hurry.) Look at the feedback for the seller prior to buying anything and keep track of the time - eCampus gives you just 25 days from your order date to file an incident inquiry form.
Rental agreement indicates damage not accepted
Renting means you'll have to return the book, which also means agreeing to the rental agreement. Water damage, a broken spine, missing pages, missing or torn covers, excessive highlighting (more than a third), excessive or inappropriate notes - all could result in a charge to your card on file (up to the replacement fee of the book), and you won't get the book back. We recommend reading the rental agreement prior to choosing this option with eCampus.
Customers are pleased with their service
An accredited business by the BBB, eCampus has an excellent "A+" rating, though they had 70 complaints in the past year. Across online review platforms, users have had a mostly great experience. Trustpilot features over 3,300 reviews and gives eCampus 3.9 out of 5 stars, with more than 1,900 5-star reviews. Pleased reviewers gush that they received quick delivery and books in great shape, mentioning both rental and purchase experiences. Some unhappy clients note receiving books that aren't brand new and that took longer than expected to receive. A buyback customer complained that he had not received payment for the texts he sent in, calling this "not just poor service - it's blatant dishonesty."We recommend eCampus' service as a good place to buy or rent textbooks, but we don't have enough information about their buyback service to rank it.
Excellent option for rentals and purchases
With nearly a million digital and print textbooks for sale or rental, eCampus has impressed us. Their price match guarantee makes them competitive and customers are overwhelmingly pleased. While we wish they didn't charge a restock fee on returns, we can confidently recommend eCampus as a one-stop place to shop for your needed college textbooks.
Very Good
Amazon started in founder Jeff Bezos' garage back in 1994 as an online bookstore before evolving into the everything megamart they are today. In the Amazon Textbooks Store, they claim you can save up to 90% on used textbooks, up to 49% on new ones, and up to 60% off eTextbooks. Of course, there are frequent sales on Amazon, so you can keep an eye out or put a book on a wishlist so they'll notify you should the price drop - that is, of course, if you can wait to purchase it.
More than textbooks
Before checking out this list, you no doubt had heard of Amazon since people can purchase everything from household goods to hardware to furniture to clothing - you get the picture. As a result, it's not as easy to navigate Amazon when searching for college textbooks to purchase. If you type "college textbooks" into the search bar, you'll find over 30,000 results. Another option is to go to "books" in the search bar and then use the drop-down menus to navigate to "textbooks" to find their textbook store, complete with categories of textbooks to browse. However, we recommend looking for your specific book by ISBN if you know it, to cut down your browsing time. Once you reach the product listing, it's much easier to explore. Textbook listings display all options sold, including all of the copies in one place so you don't have to wonder if you missed one. Make sure to carefully read the condition on used items to verify what you'll be receiving.
No more rentals
Amazon once offered textbook rentals and eTextbook rentals, but that was discontinued in July 2025. We are disappointed by this change: if you want to rent your books, you'll have to look elsewhere.
Shipping costs may vary
Depending on which books you buy, there can be a charge for shipping on Amazon. If you are getting used textbooks from the marketplace, shipping costs may vary by seller. Products sold by Amazon typically ship free with Prime membership, which students can get at half price.
Discounted Prime program
Knowing that students may purchase a lot of stuff online, Amazon has cleverly created a Prime plan for students or those aged 18-24. Offered at a 50% discount, you must verify your student status (use your school email address) or age (ID or driver's license) to earn the reduced rate, but it provides free delivery on millions of items on their website, as well as access to Prime Video and Amazon Music. It auto-renews at $7.49 per month. Keep in mind that items sold by Amazon directly will typically qualify for the free Prime shipping, while marketplace retailers may charge to ship.
Easy returns for most items
Amazon's return policy is pretty easy when it comes to most items, and textbooks are no exception. Be sure to read the individual item's policy under the add to cart button. The text we looked at offered a 30-day refund/replacement policy with a possible shipping fee when returned. (Another textbook had a slightly different return policy with no shipping fee charged.) The return policy on digital books for Amazon is typically only 7 days if the book has not been read or downloaded.
Sell your used books on their marketplace
If you want to sell your textbooks on Amazon, you will need to create a seller's account. Follow their step-by-step instructions, price your used books competitively, and wait for someone to buy it. If you need the money sooner rather than later, you may want to choose another company which offers direct buybacks for cash.
Competitive prices
The textbook we checked at every online retailer was available to purchase as a new text for $189.97 with free shipping - the lowest price we found. Other versions ranged in price from $119.95 for a printed access code, $164.55 for a used hardcover, and an eTextbook for $94.99. While the digital book cost was significantly higher, the used hardcover was the lowest on our search.
Customers
Amazon is an accredited business with the BBB and has received an "A+" rating. Across online review platforms, all users aren't thrilled with Amazon, giving the company 1.7 out of 5 stars from over 41,000 reviews on Trustpilot. People rant about inadequate customer service and delivery problems. It seems when it works as it's supposed to - and it usually does - those customers don't leave reviews. Alternatively, on Google reviews, the retailer has earned a solid 4.5 stars out of 5 from nearly 17,000 reviewers. While it's true that Amazon has occasional issues with both deliveries and customer service, they wouldn't be as popular as they are if their service was as bad as these reviews indicated. We confidently recommend them as a reliable option for your textbook purchases.
Solid online retail choice for your textbooks
Boasting deep discounts and free shipping for many offerings, Amazon is a great choice for purchasing new, used, and digital textbooks. While they may not have everything you need for class and no longer offer rentals, Amazon is a trustworthy option for students looking to save money on college textbooks.
Good
Sustaining the environment by recycling or reusing over 450 million books, Better World Books has been in business since 2002. An online retailer of all types of books, including textbooks, they pride themselves in being "an ethical bookseller" by providing an alternative to other for-profit companies.
On a mission
Promoting the pursuit of knowledge, Better World Books is a Certified B Corporation. Their sustainable services, superior selection, and commitment to promoting global literacy make this a company worth supporting. They collect used books through library partnerships (look for their drop-boxes near you) in an effort to save books from landfills. They have raised over $35 million for libraries and literacy and sold over 117 million books with their motto "Buy Books. Do Good." As a result, they will donate a book to someone in need for each purchase you make.
Over 8 million books
With over eight million new and used books of all genres for sale on the Better World Books website, you can either browse the textbook category or type the title or book's ISBN in the search bar. Books may show up in used, new, eBook, or audiobook format. You can click on "all available copies" to browse different conditions (new, used like new, used very good, and used good) and also see other retailers where you may be able to purchase the textbook. They note on their website that since they deal with mostly used books, extra components like CDs, DVDs, and access codes aren't included. When searching, you can narrow it down by many different filters, including new or used, binding type, grade level, and other options. The prices on Better World Books are typically pretty competitive.
Partner with libraries
Unfortunately, they didn't have the edition of the book we used for comparison at each online retailer on our list. Interestingly, they partner with libraries to try to help you find it locally to borrow through the WorldCat database, which can be helpful in a pinch. There is also the option to put the book you seek on a personal wishlist, which they will use to notify you when it's in stock. However, unless you are shopping pretty far in advance, that means you'll likely have to find the required book elsewhere. If you do decide to just browse, you may encounter books that are decidedly not college textbooks mixed in throughout. (We stumbled across some intense-looking romance books listed under "best-selling textbooks." ) We feel that their website could also use a bit of improvement, with slightly smaller fonts - ranging from 9 to 10.5 in some places - and difficulty finding some of the information we sought.
Discounts offered for signing up
To get a discount on your first order with Better World Books, just sign up for their email newsletter. You'll get a code for a percentage off. Plus, they periodically send sale emails for certain book categories and have a rewards program.
Shipping free for most orders
It's relatively easy to receive free shipping on an order from Better World Books. They send out coupon offers often if you sign up for their email list, but free standard shipping is available on any order over $15. Standard shipping takes 5-7 days and costs $1.99 on orders smaller than $15. Expedited shipping takes about 2-3 days and is $9.99 for the first item, plus $3.99 for each additional one. If you need it faster, second day is $26.99 plus $15.99 per additional book, or next day is $52.99 for the first text plus $21.99 for each extra one.
Returns are permitted
With a 30-day return policy on most items, Better World Books will accept books in the original condition, including used items with the original SKU sticker on the book or new items still in shrink wrap. They note that they "reserve the right to charge a processing fee" for any returns not a result of their error, specifically mentioning new items.
Rewards program promotes loyalty
The Better World Books Rewards program is free to join. You will earn coupons for points and achieve different tier statuses such as bronze, silver, and gold. Points expire in a year.
Customers overwhelmingly pleased
Accredited by the BBB, Better World Books has received an "A+" rating with 41 complaints in the past three years. Complaints are typically about the lack of accessible customer service and receiving the wrong books (they use stock photos in their listings so be sure to verify the ISBN numbers). Across online review platforms, customers love this company, with over 576,000 5-star ratings. Pleased reviewers note they loved the selection and ease of applying filters, easy checkout, cheap textbook options, and causes the company supports.
Just above average for textbooks
While we love Better World Books' mission and prices, they didn't have the textbooks we sought and can be hit-or-miss when we need a specific book quickly. We recommend checking them out to see if they have the books you need, but don't plan to get every textbook for your college classes here.
Good
In order to save college students money, Knetbooks was founded in 2009. Their budget-friendly options and easy rental process has made them a favorite of students across the United States, saving students over $55 million since they went into business.
Rentals have options
Knetbooks knows that you may need your textbooks for varying time lengths. As a result, they provide multiple options including short term, quarterly, and semester rental periods on certain books while others have a set rental term (our sample text we used to compare the retailers on our list was fixed at semester). They recommend shopping early if possible, since availability and pricing may reduce your options and result in higher prices. Books are considered in good condition even with highlighting, margin notes, and other markings, so keep this in mind when shopping the website. On their book listings, they indicate that you are permitted to "highlight/take notes like you own it," which we find to be quite generous. However, keep in mind that if you highlight too much, the rental textbook will be considered unsellable and you'll be charged a replacement fee when you try to return it.
Discounts offered on multiple rentals
The more you rent, the more you save at Knetbooks. The code KBRENTAL on their homepage offers 5% off one book, 7% off two books, or 10% off three or more books. Also, they encourage you to provide your email address for other offers. When every penny counts, this can stretch your budget that little bit to make the difference between ramen again for dinner and something a little more substantial.
Shipping is free for most
All orders include free standard shipping at Knetbooks, and a prepaid UPS return label is provided for your rental return. This method can take up to 6-10 business days. If you need your texts sooner, expedited ground shipping (3-5 business days) is an option for $10 per shipment plus $2 for each additional item. If you need two-day shipping, it's $20 per shipment plus $5.99 per item, and one-day shipping is $32 per shipment plus $7.99 per item. Be aware of availability estimates which may add extra time. The words "Special Order" or "Demand Printing" can add weeks to your wait time. Knetbooks only ships within the 48 contiguous states.
Returning your rental
Not only does Knetbooks give you a prepaid shipping label to return the rental text when you're finished with the book, but they will also send text notifications to remind you about your approaching due date. Additionally, flexible due dates, with the choice to extend or purchase your rental at any time, make their service an excellent choice for busy students. The prepaid labels can be printed from their website, making the process simple and relatively painless.
Competitive prices found here
The textbook we checked at every online retailer was available for $84.99 per semester, with the option to buy used from $174.99, which was in line with other retailers. However, the book we looked at had a $5 fee that was tacked on for rentals or purchase as an "exclusive publisher rental fee" or "service fee." Look for an asterisk to indicate books which incur this additional fee.
Sell back your used texts here
If you are looking to sell textbooks you no longer need, Knetbooks will buy back some of them. Search using the ISBN on the book to see if they are accepting what you have to sell. Claiming a fast turnaround, they will pay shipping and direct deposit the funds to your account on file.
Rental mishaps result in fees
One downside of renting is the fact that you'll need to agree to the rental agreement. If you damage a rental book so that it's unusable for a future rental - water damage, broken spine, missing pages, missing or torn covers, excessive highlighting (more than a third), excessive or inappropriate notes - your card on file will be charged and you won't get the book back. They may charge you up to the replacement fee of the book. If you want to know about other possible charges, make sure to read the terms of use on the Knetbooks website.
Customer satisfaction on the decline
Knetbooks is listed on the BBB under eCampus as an alternate name. While eCampus is an accredited business and has earned an "A+" rating, there are complaints about this book rental service mixed in with those of the main company profile. Customers complained about receiving the wrong book and being charged for unexplained damage when returning it. Across online review platforms, Knetbooks has lost favor since we last reviewed them. Their nearly 4,700 reviews have them earning just 2.84 to 3.8 out of 5 stars, down from their previous 4.7 rating. Disgruntled customers say they were charged for damage they didn't cause on a text. There are also complaints about ineffective customer service, late shipping when paying for expedited delivery, and sending used books as new, with numerous cries of "scam" and "fraud." We are disappointed to see our previous favorite option have so many issues and unhappy customers. We had to go back over nine months to find a positive review for this company, leading us to wonder what has changed with Knetbooks to cause such a sharp decline.
Reviews keep them from a higher rating
Knetbooks once stood at the top of our list for their competitive pricing and flexible rental terms. However, this company has left many reviewers unhappy recently, leading to a sharp drop in their ratings. As a result, we consider Knetbooks to be just a slightly above average option for your college textbook needs.
Average
The self-described "best place to rent or buy college textbooks," Valore is one of the largest online textbook marketplaces. Founded by a college student as a way to help others deal with the rising cost of textbooks, this company has been around since 2001.
Marketplace means options
With Valore being a marketplace, customers are purchasing from more than 20,000 verified sellers and rental providers through this network, instead of purchasing directly from Valore. Those on the marketplace can be bookstores or individuals who have a lot of books to sell. Their listings are free, not paying until the item sells. Payments go through Valore's network and then the sellers ship the orders within 48 hours. Valore then takes a flat-rate commission of 15% on all sales. Keep in mind that all used books won't include access codes, CDs, or other supplemental materials, though there may also be new books available (so read descriptions carefully).
Partnership with a top textbook provider
Chegg, one of our previously reviewed as "very good" companies, has combined with Valore for their book fulfillment since 2022. In fact, their website now redirects their customers to Valore. While this seems like a good combination, some reviewers complained about the rental service being significantly different, leaving them unhappy with the results of this merger.
Rentals can be extended or purchased
Rental textbooks are offered on Valore as well, with free return shipping. In many cases, you'll be permitted to extend or purchase the rental book. Remember, they won't have the supplemental materials, and you are only permitted light highlighting and writing in the text. If you return the book in a condition below "good, usable," you will be responsible for the damage. Late fees or purchase charges may occur if you miss the deadline.
Free standard shipping
Free standard shipping is offered at Valore and typically takes 3-5 business days to arrive, but shipping times are not guaranteed. Expedited shipping costs $6.99 for the first item plus $2 for additional items and is expected in 3 business days. Second business day ($19.99 + $4) and next business day ($29.99 + $5) are not offered by all sellers on the Valore marketplace, so keep that in mind if you need it quickly.
Limited returns permitted with a fee
Offering convenient returns if you drop a class, Valore gives you 14 days to send back in unnecessary textbooks for a refund. You'll pay shipping costs to send it back and incur a 15% restock fee (charged at the seller's discretion). To return an eTextbook, there is a different policy which requires returns within 10 days with no more than 20% of the text viewed or printed. There are other companies with more lenient policies, so keep this in mind if you purchase or rent here.
Sell back your books with fast payment
Valore says they make selling your texts back to them fast, easy, and stress-free, claiming to offer competitive quotes and fast payments. They will even provide a free shipping label for you. Be sure to check out the minimum condition requirements for sellback items to avoid having your sale rejected.
Higher end of rental fees
The textbook we checked at every online retailer was available to rent for $94.99, and there were no copies available to purchase either hard copy or eTextbook. This was $10 higher than other rental places. This is one drawback of the marketplace model: not having every textbook available in all formats at all times.
Not enough feedback to decide to use them
The BBB has given Valore an "A+" rating and they are an accredited business with only one complaint in the past year. Across online review platforms, Valore has earned 3.2 to 4.61 stars out of 5, from 200 reviewers. While this isn't much feedback, we are concerned with the high number of 1-star reviews they have. Negative reviewers ranted about late payments for sellbacks, difficulty returning books, confusing online policies and fine print, and poor customer service. On the other hand, the many 5-star reviews gushed about fast shipping, great customer service experiences, and affordable options. We'd like to see more reviews to balance out the negative and the positive, but considering the BBB rating and lack of complaints, we believe Valore is at least worth checking out.
Average option for renting or buying
Valore's marketplace offers a possible one-stop shop since they have so many sellers, but the popular textbook we sought was only available for rental at a higher rate than other retailers. Combined with the high number of low reviews and limited return policy, Valore is just an average option for getting your college textbooks.
Fair
In 2001, BiggerBooks was started with the plan to keep college textbooks affordable by selling and renting books to consumers. They say their used textbooks are the answer to all of your problems - if your problems happen to be finding the cheapest textbooks.
Website needs updating
The website for BiggerBooks could use some serious updating, as the body font throughout is only 9 point. The "about us" page says it was updated to bring a "new modern look" and provide students with "a top-of-the-line customer experience" over a decade ago. Oof.
Rent more to save more with flexible terms
BiggerBooks says you can rent more and save more with the code BBRENTAL, though specifics aren't given. They permit you to choose the term of rental based on how long you need the books. Rentals may be purchased or extended if you desire. To extend a rental, you can decide if you'd like it for 15, 30, 60, 90, or 130 days from the original due date and pay based on your choice. Return shipping is free. The detailed rental agreement is available to read before you agree to it. Excessive highlighting (more than one-third of content), excessive or inappropriate notes, water damage, a broken spine, missing pages, and missing or torn covers are considered damage to the rental book and subject to a fee on your stored card, up to the replacement cost of the book.
Discounts may be offered
Their Daily Deal feature gives customers a reason to keep coming back with unique discounts each day of the week. However, when we clicked on it, we weren't provided with any deal. BiggerBooks calls themselves a "premier" vendor "specializing in highly discounted" textbooks, claiming to use technology to "scour prices across the web" for you, but we didn't notice a difference in prices on the book we checked on each retailer. Here it cost $84.99 to rent (average price), $174.99 to purchase used (average price), and $59.94 for digital purchase (average price but with a "digital delivery fee" tacked on, it's slightly higher). We're simply not impressed with BiggerBooks's big talk about their offerings.
Shipping costs are higher than rivals
Free standard shipping is available for any order over $59, significantly higher than the best rated retailers on our list. Below that amount, shipping costs $4 per shipment plus $.99 per item, and items will arrive in 6-10 business days. Expedited shipping is available for $6 per shipment plus $3.25 per item, arriving within 3-5 days. If you need it faster, BiggerBooks offers two-day shipping ($20 + $5.99) or one-day shipping ($32 + $7.99). With fees like those, be sure you order with plenty of time for standard shipping. A digital delivery fee of $3.99 is charged per item if you buy digital textbooks, so keep that in mind when comparing prices.
No-questions returns with fee
Returns are permitted "no questions asked" for 25 days from the original ship date at BiggerBooks. A 15% restock fee is charged and shipping fees are deducted from the amount of the refund, and items must be in the original condition. Rental books may be eligible for a return and refund within 25 days as well but short-term rentals are only allowed if within 15 days. Refunds can be expected within 30 days of receiving your return.
Get cash for your textbooks
BiggerBooks will buy back your unwanted textbooks in good condition. They will make an offer and pay to have your books shipped to them. You'll receive payment via direct deposit.
Customers aren't satisfied
As another company related to eCampus (who we've reviewed separately), BiggerBooks is owned by A Book Company, LLC, and has no listing on the BBB. The listing for eCampus showed an accredited business with the best possible rating of "A+," despite 70 complaints in the past year. Across online review platforms, however, it's clear that customers are unsatisfied with BiggerBooks, giving ratings of 2.4 to 3.2 out of 5 stars from over 1,700 reviews. Complaints of the company taking payment and not sending a book (later saying it's out of stock) as well as issues with rental returns warn against this retailer. While about half of the reviews were 5 stars, it's the other half we're concerned about. Unless you're feeling lucky, we suggest looking elsewhere for your textbook needs.
Look at other options first
Though they talk a big game, BiggerBooks simply doesn't deliver on their promised better prices. When taken into consideration with their low customer reviews, we suggest looking at other options first for your online textbook purchases or rentals.
Subpar
Since 1999, TextbookX says they've helped students find the lowest prices for their course materials through a combination of their own inventory and third-party sellers.
Navigating the website can be tricky
To find your books, look for the search bar which clearly says "Find Your Books." The "search all" bar was not as helpful and often did not help us to locate books - especially if we tried to use the ISBN. Listings clearly state if the item is a marketplace offering, which is good since you'll have to pay differently for shipping those items. TextbookX says they sell and rent textbooks, though none of the textbooks we looked at had a rental option. To properly navigate to the text you're looking for, it's really essential to have the ISBN here. The font size for search results if you simply typed in the title was under 9 points, and many did not show the cover with the listing. Be as specific as possible or you may end up with 10,000 results as we did when searching for an economics textbook.
Shipping is free for larger orders
Free economy shipping for items sold by TextbookX is available on orders over $79. (Marketplace orders are excluded.) If your order costs less, the charge is $6.89 plus $2.99 per book, arriving in an estimated 3-10 business days. Standard shipping is available if you need the book slightly quicker. For $10.49 plus $3.99 per book, you can get your order within 3-6 business days. Marketplace shipping is $7.89 per item for economy or $11.49 per item for standard. TextbookX does not provide an option for expedited shipping.
Returns incur a fee
Returning a textbook you don't need is allowed within 30 days of your order confirmation as long as the item was purchased from TextbookX, not marked "not returnable," and is in the same condition as it was sold (still wrapped if new, for example). You'll pay the return shipping and incur a 10% restocking fee. Returns for eTextbooks must be made within 14 days of purchase date and not have viewed or printed more than 20% of the book.
Selling your books occurs via competitor marketplace
With the built-in marketplace on TextbookX, they encourage you to sell your books via that method. They claim you'll earn up to twice as much money doing it that way, as opposed to just selling it back to them. Their sellback goes through Valore's marketplace, a company we've reviewed separately.
Highest prices found for our textbook
The textbook we checked at every online retailer was available to purchase as a used text for $241.41 or eTextbook for $94.99. TextbookX says you'll save up to 90% using them, but these were the highest prices we encountered for this particular chemistry textbook. The used copy is over $60 more than the average price, and the digital copy is nearly $50 higher.
Customers are complaining
TextbookX has changed owners in recent years, leading them to have no active listing of their own on the BBB. Once owned by Akademos Inc., VitalSource acquired the company in 2023. The listing for this unaccredited company has a "B-" rating for failure to respond to complaints. This is a big difference from the high rating reported on the bottom of the TextbookX website. Across online review platforms, their reviews aren't great. From over 640 reviews, the company averages between 2.5 to 3.01 out of 5 stars. Those with bad experiences warn against this company with mentions of poor communication, deceptive practices (saying they shipped it when they didn't), and late delivery, labeling the company "terrible," "unprofessional," "incompetent," and "total scam." This is a significant slide from the last time we reviewed this company.
Look elsewhere
As far as we can see, TextbookX provides no benefits for shoppers and will cost significantly more. We recommend looking at the higher ranked retailers on our list if you need college textbooks.
Weak
Industry giant Pearson offers selected eTextbooks and a subscription-based digital study program. Since 1844, this British multi-national company has been part of the education industry, providing courseware and other digital options for today's learners.
Only eTextbooks available here
Some students prefer hardcovers or paperbacks for textbooks, but that's not an option at Pearson. Instead, you'll find access to over 2,000 digital texts. You can choose to rent them for six months or have lifetime access. Rental books are available instantly and students will have the digital tools to search, highlight, and take notes in them. The eTextbooks also have customizable flashcards and audiobook options to help all types of learners. If you need your rental text for longer than the allotted time, you can extend access and be charged a fixed monthly amount until canceled.
Study tools offered via subscription
Offering to get students "exam ready" and help them "actually understand" their courses, Pearson+ is an optional subscription service which includes Study Prep, an unlimited access video program that offers explanations, solutions, and practice problems in over 20 subjects, including biology, business, chemistry, health sciences, math, physics, and social sciences. Users can upload their class syllabus and receive videos personalized to their course. Tutors explain solutions, and interactive AI videos and summaries are a bonus feature for some titles. Additionally, users have access to a social community to gain deeper understanding about class lessons. Study Prep can be used even with a non-Pearson textbook if desired.
Try out subscription features
Before you decide if you want Pearson+, there is a place to try out their AI tutor tool with your own questions. You can also check out examples of their feedback from "subject matter experts" through sample videos. The service can be either bundled with your eTextbook or purchased later. It will be billed monthly until it is canceled, so be sure to cancel it when you're done with the classes you need it for. The Pearson+ subscription is an additional $6 per month when bundled.
Payment options
For rental eTextbooks on Pearson, you can choose to pay in monthly installments or an upfront payment (there's no discount for paying upfront). The textbook we have used for an apples-to-apples comparison across the retailers we evaluated costs $59.94 at Pearson to rent for six months or $84.94 to purchase for lifetime access. (This cost is the same average cost across online retailers.) The benefits of "lifetime access" includes full internet and app access to the eTextbook for five years. If you want it beyond that, you'll need to download the title, and the license is non-transferable. While it's nice to be able to rent a digital textbook to save money, if you need it for more than six months, it's probably better to just purchase it so you don't end up paying more than the cost of the text.
Changes from previous reviews
The last time we looked at Pearson+, the rental terms were only four months, but now they are six months, and customizing loan time is not an option. Additionally, you don't have access to all of the textbooks with one subscription fee; it's a pay-per-book cost.
Returns not accepted - or are they?
Pearson previously offered a 14-day refund guarantee, and some listings still mention this. However, the FAQs clearly state that this is no longer an option. Then again, further along in the FAQs it also states that purchased eTextbooks may be refunded within the first 14 days, so there is definitely conflicting information here. Bottom line: if you think you may want to return your book, ask before buying it to get clarification on the policy.
App for on-the-go
The Pearson+ app is available for study help at home and on the go for both iOS and Android users. While highly rated (4.7 on both Apple Store and Google Play), some users find it to be extremely frustrating when it comes to audiobook controls and trying to see diagrams in the eTextbook. One complained of the difficulty switching between reading on the web browser and app, noting he experienced many issues when he did. Others ranted about the robotic AI-voice and deemed it unusable for math or science classes.
Customers warn you to stay away
Pearson Education is not accredited by the BBB and has received a dismal "F" rating for failure to respond to complaints. People reported unexpected charges for Pearson+ and frustration with not having a shorter rental term, though a majority of the complaints we saw were regarding the company's testing services. Across online review platforms, they don't fare much better. Out of over 500 reviews, the company has a terrible 1.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Other sites list them at 1 star or 3.6 stars, though those only have about 50 reviews on each. Unsatisfied customers rant that they are "trapped" paying for a six-month rental, have a "garbage" user interface, and wasted time with "horrible" customer service. One person wrote, "hate is not a strong enough word for how this website boils my blood," noting the technical difficulty in accessing Pearson's website for the eTextbooks and homework assignments. We recommend staying far away as a result of these warnings.
Get your eTextbooks elsewhere
While it seems like the Pearson+ membership provides an added benefit to the eTextbooks at Pearson, complaints from students give us plenty of reason to hesitate. With the same prices you'll find on our top-ranked college textbook retailers, there's simply no compelling reason to use Pearson.
Poor
Providing an online bookstore curated to your learning institution, eFollett - often just called Follett - has partnerships with over 1,000 campuses across North America. Though not all schools will be included, if yours is eFollett will provide the correct course materials for your educational needs. Follett has been in the higher education business for over 150 years. Their marketing programs promote school pride and support education, providing students affordable access to the materials needed for their classes. Additionally, they provide customizable gear for sports fans, graduation regalia, and alumni materials.
What you'll find
Upon entering the eFollett website, you are prompted to find your school's bookstore either in the search bar or by looking through featured schools. If your school isn't included, this is an impossible option since you cannot browse textbooks on this platform. Once you select the school, you're redirected to the page specifically for your university's bookstore. At the top you'll find a link for textbooks before you are bombarded with flashy advertisements for products that aren't texts. Below that are licensed "fan essentials" and pricey "recommended products," designed to get you to purchase more than just your textbooks. If you're easily distracted, put on your blinders or skip this online retailer.
How to shop varies by school
Each learning institution may choose how you can shop at their college bookstore. One prompted us to login with a school ID to receive a personalized shopping list for our schedule - that's convenient. Others permit you to shop by course and term (only the current term will be offered unless you're close to the end of a semester, preventing you from pre-purchasing textbooks). You cannot simply type in a text title or ISBN number and find any book you want. If it's not for a course offered by your college, it won't be found, as was the case for the text we sought at each online retailer.
Rentals available here
The rent-a-text program through eFollett provides a way for students to save an average of 50% as compared to buying. Highlighting and note-taking is permitted, and rentals may be extended or purchased if desired. Their rental program stands out because they allow you to pay using financial aid and campus cards, guaranteeing you have the right book for your class. Additionally, free on-campus pick-up of your rental textbook and free return shipping of online rentals are part of the program. Reminder emails are sent at the end of term so you don't forget to return your rental, either on campus or online for no cost. Be aware that if you do forget to return it, you'll be charged a non-return fee as well as a processing fee - meaning you now own the book and can do with it as you wish. Yikes. Don't forget to return your textbook.
Skip shipping for on-campus pickup in some locations
Some of the eFollett partner schools offer free store pickup, which is a way to save money, though it means making a trip out of the dorm. This may be a great option if you want to make sure the textbook is available before going out, and it can save you some time and money. To have it shipped instead, allow 4-7 days for standard (at $7.99), 3-4 days for second-day (at $19.99), and 2-3 days for next-day (at $23.99). We noticed, however, that different schools may offer specials, such as free standard shipping for orders over $99 (not all schools).
Returns can be tricky
All returns require a valid receipt or packing slip and may be refunded within 7 calendar days from the start of classes or within 2 days of purchase (if after the start of classes) - but this may vary based on campus-specific refund deadlines. Uniquely, there is a different policy for students who have dropped a course, which allows a longer time before you must return it, based on the school's drop/add period. Additionally, rentals may be returned during the normal refund period, as long as they're in the same condition. eTextbooks are refundable for up to 14 days of customer access if less than 10% of the product has been viewed or printed. We do like that there's not a restock fee charged, but it's hard enough balancing a classload without making sure you don't miss the narrow return window on these textbooks.
Shop with purpose
The eFollett redirect for the school of your choice announces on some college bookstore pages that every purchase "directly benefits" your college (scholarships, new programs). However, this means less savings for you as your shop for your course materials, so keep that in mind.
Prices will be similar to campus bookstore
Since the eFollett online store is connected to your college, don't expect any discounts here. There may be an occasional deal, but typically, this is just a more convenient way to get your books than going to the campus bookstore.
Mixed results from the BBB
Looking on the BBB website, there is some confusion regarding this online textbook vendor. The Follett Corporation has earned a stellar "A+" rating, though unaccredited and with some complaints over the past three years. One complaint is regarding an incorrect book purchased due to the bookstore error and having trouble getting a refund. That's concerning since they supposedly guarantee you're getting the right books for your specific course. This excellent rating takes a hit when searching for eFollett on the BBB site. Though both listings show the company is unaccredited, this one rates eFollett with a "C" for failure to respond to a complaint from a year ago. This is clearly a listing for the online retailer that has been ignored by the company since they respond quickly to complaints on the other listing.
Not many customer reviews to look at
Despite this discrepancy, the company is inconsistently rated across online user review platforms. One site with six reviews has them at 4.7 out of 5 while others place the company at 1 to 1.2 stars out of less than 100 reviews. While the high-star ratings did not include any reviews, the poor reviews ranted about rude or unresponsive customer service, poorly wrapped items which arrive damaged, processing errors, and missing packages. Perhaps more users don't rate them separately from the campus bookstore experience, but we'd like to see significantly higher reviews before we can recommend their service.
Skip this retailer and look elsewhere
If you're hoping to save money on textbooks, eFollett is not the place to shop. Limited mixed reviews, narrow return windows, and strict rental deadlines lead us to encourage you to look elsewhere for your college textbook purchases and rentals.
Continued from above...
With education costs on the rise, college students are seeking ways to save money wherever possible. However, a person can only eat so much ramen soup or mac and cheese. Enter the online textbook marketplace.
Instead of visiting the school's bookstore where books will cost the most, countless students are turning to online options to purchase their required textbooks prior to the start of class. These retailers provide unique money-saving options, such as rental titles, eTextbooks, and used books, often at significant savings for students across the country.
Not only can you save money by purchasing a used textbook, but you may even be able to slash costs with a rental text. When deciding between purchasing and renting textbooks, keep your end goal in mind: what will you be doing with the text while you have it and after you are finished using it? Those who don't need to reference a text for a future class may find that renting suits them just fine.
Some companies will even offer multiple rental time periods to meet students' needs. However, if you like to highlight, you should purchase a book, as many companies do not want you to write in their books (though some do permit a limited amount - be sure to read the rental agreement). However, if a book comes with CDs or access codes, your rental (or used textbook) likely won't include them.
Another option many textbook companies have started to offer is digital books or online access to materials. This can keep costs down and reduce landfill waste. But, some people read better from hard copies of books and would like a chance to recoup some of their textbook costs by reselling a used textbook, which isn't possible with digital options.
There are many factors to consider when comparing online retailers for college textbooks. Here are the top ones on our list:
To help save you time and money, we at Top Consumer Reviews have sifted through the most popular online textbook retailers. Check out our top choices, order your class materials, and get back to the business of learning.
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