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!

Knetbooks Review for May 2026 | Best College Textbook Stores

Item: Knetbooks Review
Rating: 3.5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Tuesday, May 19th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2026 College Textbook Store Reviews

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.

3.4

GOOD

Good

Knetbooks

Standard shipping is free
Return label provided for rentals
Rent for short-term, quarterly, or semester
Text reminders to tell you about upcoming due date
Allows minor highlighting
"A+" rating from the BBB via parent company eCampus
In business since 2009

GOOD

3.4

On the Knetbooks website

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.

On the Knetbooks website

Continued from above...

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.

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:

Cost. Why spend more than necessary on your textbooks? When two books are identical and only the price differs, it's a no-brainer: go with the less expensive option. However, some online retailers have bulk discounts or rewards programs, making it a little trickier to decide which copy to purchase - and be aware of any "service fees" or "digital access fees" added at checkout at some vendors. Keep in mind the condition of the book you're buying as well, if you want to try to resell it to recoup some of your book budget.
Selection. Many online retailers we reviewed only sell textbooks and thus have a larger selection. If you want one-stop shopping, you'll have to choose one of those options. To save some money, you may be willing to look at multiple retailers, and that's a valid choice as well, especially when free shipping is offered.
Shipping. When you're spending this kind of money, you want to cut costs where you can. Some retailers offer free shipping options with minimum purchases while others have a per-item add-on charge. Make sure you know what you're paying regarding shipping when you compare textbook prices. Speed of shipping can also come into play if you're shopping close to the first day of class.
Return policy. Buying the wrong edition, dropping a class, or having the instructor change course materials on the first day of class - all of these can be costly mistakes if you buy from a retailer without a return policy you feel comfortable with. Some charge restock fees while others are more lenient. Similarly, the return window that retailers offer will vary.
Access codes and bonus materials. If you need a textbook with an online access code, a DVD, or other learning materials, you may need to focus on purchasing a new copy. Most rentals and used books do not include these features.

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.

Knetbooks Review: College Textbook Stores

2026 College Textbook Store Reviews

Knetbooks

Where Can You Find the Cheapest College Textbooks Online?

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