Best College Textbook Stores in Maine

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Where Can I Find the Best College Textbook Stores in Maine?

In Maine, you end up doing most textbook hunting online, and it saves you a drive on Route 1 in February. Because campus stores publish ISBNs under the Higher Education Opportunity Act, you'll match exact editions and bundles without guesswork. You can toggle among new, used, rental, or digital options, then you can check whether the return window tracks with add/drop. When the cart reflects Maine's 5.5% sales tax, you'll know the real total before you hit submit.

There's a certain relief when you're in Portland and you can place an order after a late lab instead of hustling across town before closing. With roughly 30 colleges and universities across Maine, you'll find plenty of campus-store sites where ISBNs sit front and center, so you can cross-reference editions in minutes. If a course packs an online access code, you'll double-check that the listing includes it - returns get tricky once codes have been revealed. For pickup, you can ship to your place or to a campus center, whatever fits your week.

Odd thing is, prices swing a lot between rentals, used copies, and instant e-texts, so you'll want to run the ISBN through a couple of carts before you commit. If you're up in Orono after a snow squall, you'll appreciate a prepaid return label and a drop box that doesn't require a long trudge. You can set alerts for lower prices or earlier ship dates, and you'll stash the packing slip because add/drop timing matters. Digital can feel easiest for week one, but you'll verify that the license length actually covers finals.

Meanwhile, Maine weather can flip on you, so you'll plan shipping with a buffer - a Nor'easter isn't interested in syllabus day. When classes at Bates have you based in Lewiston, you can pick a seller that offers condition grades and photos, then you'll choose "Very Good" if notes would drive you nuts. You can bundle general-education titles to hit free-shipping thresholds and split specialty texts across vendors if the totals pencil out. If a professor posts a new edition late, you'll lean on the ISBN again to make sure an older version truly lines up with the homework sets.

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.