If every semester you go through the hassles of purchasing overly priced textbooks from the bookstore, only to find that your buyback price is significantly lower than the original purchase price or that it isn’t eligible for return, you should consider renting your textbooks. Recently gaining a lot of attention, renting a textbook is a cheaper option for a student that plans to only use the textbook that semester.
In most cases you will find that renting your textbooks from an online website such as Chegg.com is a lot cheaper than even purchasing a used version. I just discovered that a used English textbook I paid $60 for online is available on Chegg for $37.
If you are wondering how exactly the rental works, let me explain. You simply enter the textbook’s ISBN number into the search box and a result will return with their rental price. For comparison purposes, Chegg also includes the current list price for a new version of that textbook. You then choose to rent your textbook and it is shipped to you by the guaranteed delivery date. After you are done with the textbook, you will return it using a prepaid UPS return label.
There are a few important aspects of textbook rental to note. First off, you will need to choose the length of time that you plan to rent the textbook. On Chegg, you can choose from a 60 day rental or quarter and semester rentals. For example, Fall semester rentals must be postmarked for return by December 20th. If you know that you will need the textbook longer than this period, you can simply call their customer service line or use their online chatting service and they will offer you an extension for free.
It is also important to note delivery dates. If a textbook is promised to you by a certain date and it does not arrive in time, Chegg will refund your shipping costs. Also, when returning the textbook, it is important to remember that the textbook does not need to arrive at Chegg’s warehouse by December 20th. Rather, it needs to be postmarked by this date. Also remember that textbooks dropped off at a UPS location on a Saturday or Sunday will not be postmarked until Monday. Chegg will send you an e-mail to confirm that they have received your return.
You may be asking yourself a few key questions about textbook rental. What happens if you destroy, lose, or damage the textbook during the rental. Well, you will have to pay the cost of the textbook minus the initial rental fee.
What happens if you accidentally ordered the wrong textbook or you drop the class? Within 30 days of your order date, Chegg will refund you the rental fee minus the shipping costs.
When you are considering renting a textbook, be sure to use a website that offers textbooks in good condition. You don’t want to receive a textbook missing pages. Chegg only accepts textbooks that are in good condition and free of excessive writing, burns, tears, and have all the pages. Also, remember that when purchasing a used textbook or with renting that supplemental material such as CDs or online codes may not always be included. Although many website such as Chegg will try their hardest, they cannot guarantee this.
There are a number of online textbook rental websites. Chegg.com is popular with many college students not only for their cheaper rental fees, but also for their eco-friendly stand. They are currently planting one tree for each textbook that you rent. Bookrenter.com is an online textbook rental website that offers free shipping both ways and even has scholarships and sweepstakes constantly running on their website. They claim to have saved students $1,148,727 in the last 72 hours. Collegebookrenter.com is another website that offers rentals for nearly 60% lower than the list price.
Remember, each website has its own terms and conditions. You should visit their help or FAQ section to learn exactly what their due dates and return policies are. One website may offer free shipping both ways, while another makes you pay. It’s also important to check out their semester and term dates. They vary from site to site. You can use our BookWatch price comparison tool to see rental prices from a number of these websites and more.
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