Dear Editor,
Buying textbooks is a hassle none of us can avoid, but recent articles on the subject inspire me to speak a few words of wisdom that have saved me hundreds of dollars and hours of stress.
1. Caveat Emptor - Let the buyer beware. First and foremost, be careful; never step into any purchase uninformed. Also, buy used books locally; quality is assured if you can see the book.
2. Prepare. We all register for classes during the preceding semesters; find out what books you need (ISBN numbers are most helpful in this) and how much they cost at the bookstore. Talk to your professors. They get lonely sometimes and have much useful information about what books you need and might want.
3. Shop around - BigWords.com is not the only online bookstore, and one of the many stores I never use because they charge for shipping. Be ready to spend a few hours searching online for suitable bookstores, I spend 3-4 hours before each semester looking for deals. Run searches for bookstores on one of the many search engines online; ask for help if you don't know how.
During Winter Semester of this year, I saved about $130 over the bookstore, after shipping. I do not say that the editorial staff is wrong in condemning textbook scams, I do say this though; any smart shopper will look around for themselves, the best deals are waiting to be found, not blaring in your face.
Ryan Flake
Brookings, S.D.