College students are always trying to save money, because let’s face it, higher education doesn’t come cheap. Some expenses, such as food and tuition, are not really optional. One place that many students do have the option to cut back, however, is when it comes to textbooks. An increasingly popular option is to rent textbooks instead of purchasing them outright. Because the option to rent textbooks is relatively new, a lot of students unfortunately do not understand the process enough to take advantage of this opportunity. This article, however, will hopefully clear up some questions. The process is as follows:
1. Find
There are many websites that offer Textbook rentals, including TextbookStop.com, Textbooks.com, etc. You can browse around the internet to find site that looks best for you, or use a comparison site like BigWords.com to find the site that has your book(s) for the best prices. Once you select the website and find your book, checkout using your credit card, Paypal, etc. Make sure to choose the shipping speed that will allow you to receive your books in time.
2. Wait
Your textbooks will arrive in the mail soon. Many websites include tracking information so you can stay updated as to where your textbook is. Once your textbook arrives, make sure that it is in good condition. It will likely be used, but if there is any severe damage (torn pages, water damage, etc.) then make sure you contact the company you rented from to let them know; it might have occurred during shipping and you don’t want to be accountable for the damage when you return the book.
3. Use
Use your textbooks as usual, but take care of them. You will be held responsible for any damage beyond normal wear and tear, including extensive highlighting, notes etc. Some companies allow some highlight/notes, while others don’t allow any. The most important thing is that you are aware of the policy that applies to your rented textbooks so that you are not charged a fee when you return them.
4. Return
At the end of the semester make sure you return your books promptly to avoid any late fees. Most sites offer free returning shipping; just log-on to the website to print out a pre-paid shipping label. Package your books well, affix the label, and drop them in the mail. Make sure not to use priority mail boxes, as most free return labels don’t apply to priority mail.
There you have it, textbook rentals made easy. Good luck saving money this semester, now go get some A’s!
Daniel is a writer for 
