A new school year means new classes. So once again, students have to pull out their wallets and pay for expensive textbooks.
And for many, the question to buy or rent and order online or in-store can be tough.
Assistant Manager at Student Book Store Mike Wylie said he believes buying or renting books in-store has many advantages.
“It’s easy and quick to get them back to the store,” Wylie said. “We have the official book lists from each department and you immediately get the book—there’s no wait.”
However, Wylie said his and other bookstores in East Lansing understand why students purchase their textbooks online.
“We try to be as competitive (with online resources) as we can be, but we can’t really change the prices, for example, on new books,” he said. “I understand if it’s a $5 or so difference.”
Criminal Justice senior Bailey Loftis said she uses online resources such as Amazon and Chegg because she finds her textbooks cheaper there.
“I always have good experiences (buying and renting online),” Loftis said. “I ordered some textbooks recently and they came in two days.”
Food Science junior Maria Cotter said she always gets her books from the Student Book Store.
“I go there because I like looking at the clothing and other items while I shop for my books,” Cotter said. “I’m a local, so I go in the summer when it’s easier to get them.”
The State News has compiled a list of where to get the best value for some of the most basic textbooks many MSU students use.
EC 202 Principles of Macroeconomics
BEST VALUE AT AMAZON: buy new $6.90, buy used $0.32. Also available at Student Book Store (buy new $49.95, buy used $39.95) and on Chegg (buy used $13.49, rent new $9.99, rent used $9.99)
MTH 103 College Algebra
BEST VALUE AT STUDENT BOOK STORE: Buy used $49.99. Also available on Amazon (buy new $120)
CEM 141 iClicker II
FREE RENTAL FROM ASMSU OR BEST VALUE AT STUDENT BOOK STORE: Buy new $46.95, buy used $39.99. Also available on Amazon (Buy used $46.99, rent new $41.99, rent used $41.99) and Chegg (Buy new $56.01, buy used $50.43)
IAH 201 Globalization and American Popular Culture
BEST VALUE ON CHEGG: Buy new $18.49, buy used $31.99, rent new $17.99, rent used $17.99. Also available on Amazon (Buy new $23.61, buy used $18.99) and at Student Book Store (Buy new $25.48, buy used $19.10, rent used $12.99)
