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Knetbooks Review

Sunday, February 9th

2025 College Textbook Store Reviews

Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award Knetbooks Review 5 Star Rating

Knetbooks

5 Star Rating
  • Free Standard shipping on all orders
  • Prepaid UPS return labels
  • Flexible rental options
  • Text reminders for due dates
  • Highlighting and note-taking allowed within reasonable limits
  • Positive customer reviews and high ratings
Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

Knetbooks was founded in 2009 with the goal of providing affordable textbook rentals to college students. They became a customer favorite for their budget options and straightforward rentals.

Rent or buy

In 2011, the company was acquired by a major textbook retailer, leading to further improvements such as a wider selection of rentals, faster shipping, and better customer support. Knetbooks has since saved a total of $46,081,677 for 406,328 students, remaining dedicated to their mission of making college more affordable. While they focus on rentals, students can also opt to purchase the books they've rented.

Special offers and free shipping

Knetbooks claims to be the most affordable textbook rental service, and they back it up in a few ways. For example, they offer promotions such free 6-10 day Standard shipping on all orders, prepaid UPS return labels, and extra discounts for large orders and email subscribers. Knetbooks recommends customers shop early and bundle their orders to save even more.

Low rental prices

Rental prices on Knetbooks are low. The title we've checked against every site in this review rents Short Term for $15.58 and $28.81 for a semester, which is cheaper than some of its competitors. That title is available for purchase (used) for $71.24, which is a little higher than competitor prices.

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Faster shipping available for a fee

If you do happen to need your textbook right away, you can opt for Expedited or Two-Day shipping for $10 + $2 per item or $32 + $7.99 per item respectively. These rates are a little high, so it's best to plan ahead.

Get text alerts about due dates

Knetbooks understands that college students have a lot on their plates. That's why they offer flexible rental options and make sure to keep their customers in the loop. With Knetbooks, you have the freedom to choose the rental duration that works best for you, and you can easily extend or purchase your rental whenever you need to. Plus, they'll keep you updated on the status of your order and remind you of upcoming due dates through text messages.

Ambiguous charges for late returns

We did find this in their terms of service: "Knetbooks reserves the right to charge your card a late fee of any amount leading up to but not exceeding the new list price as indicated on our site at the time of the charge for a book that is not returned.” We're not thrilled by this policy, but their text reminders about due dates reassure us that they aren't trying to trip you up to extort you for late fees.

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Highlighting is allowed

When renting textbooks from Knetbooks, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Renting is a great option if you don't need the book for a long time or if you don't plan on taking extensive notes or highlighting. It's also good to know that rental books don't come with supplemental materials like CDs or access codes, unless otherwise indicated. But if you end up loving your textbook for some reason and want to keep it (nerd), you have the option to purchase it after the rental period. Feel free to highlight and take notes in the rented book, as long as you do so within reasonable limits - excessive marking may result in the return being rejected.

Great reputation

Knetbooks has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 on a third-party review site, based on over 5,600 reviews. Positive feedback emphasizes the ease of use, fair pricing, and effective service provided by Knetbooks. Where there were complaints, Knetbooks has responded by acknowledging the problem, offering proactive resolutions, and taking steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Great for students who need to save

Knetbooks keeps things simple: rentals are their bread and butter, and they won't charge you extra dough for shipping, ever. We love that they also offer occasional coupon codes and discounts on bulk orders, and we're happy to see so many positive reviews. For these reasons, we give them our highest rating and our #1 recommendation for getting college textbooks.

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!

The Best College Textbook Stores Compare College Textbook Stores Compare College Textbook Store Reviews What are the best College Textbook Stores Best College Textbook Store Reviews

College Textbook Store FAQ

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!).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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!
Compare the Best Reviews

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.

See the Best College Textbook Store
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