College textbooks are the biggest scam in the country.....

[9erempiree]

We know this is the biggest scam in the country and how do students combat this? When I was in college, we would buy used, copy it from the library or just flat out borrow someone's. This was years ago.

How do publishers combat this? They sell you the textbooks with some sort of online code. Rendering all used books as pointless and obsolete. Your book is useless because you can't sell it anymore. The online code is worth more than the book.

Teachers are teaching every damn new edition that is out and they use the publisher's online services.

First semester back into grad school and I am noticing more and more of these textbooks requiring an online code. I can't buy used and don't want to when the most important thing is that code.

It has gotten to the point where students are picking their courses based on the prices of the textbooks. I am not fortunate to do this because my choice in classes are few.

...and they wonder why most students are in debt after college.

Word from the wise, choose your classes, actually choose your textbooks first.

[Kblaze8855]

You recently turned 20. And I suspect you are not Doogie Howser so college was not years ago.

[9erempiree]

You recently turned 20. And I suspect you are not Doogie Howser so college was not years ago.

Some even have went as far as saying I am 14 years of age.:confusedshrug:

Don't know if that is a compliment or an insult.

A 14 year old living in the minds of adults, rent free on welfare?

[Kblaze8855]

You are not 14. You are about 20. You were 19 a year ago discussing it on another forum apparently unaware that other people post on more than one board as well. You never even pretending to be older for a year or so. But whatever. Do as you will.

What was funny to me was you telling me that your private profile DOB was just selected at random because you thought I(as a mod) could check on that and thats how I knew it was set at 1994.

Nothing wrong with being 20. Most people past it wish they could get it back.

[9erempiree]

You are not 14. You are about 20. You were 19 a year ago discussing it on another forum apparently unaware that other people post on more than one board as well. You never even pretending to be older for a year or so. But whatever. Do as you will.

I am living in your mind and there is a lot of space in here for furniture. That little brain of yours has become my bean bag. :hammerhead:

[Rubio2Gasol]

Pirate Bay, Mobilism, Library.

Nuff Said.

[9erempiree]

Pirate Bay, Mobilism, Library.

Nuff Said.
:facepalm

Online code?

[Bandito]

Huh youre a 20 year old on your masters? Am I supposed to believe that?

[Rake2204]

What is the online code used for? I recently began taking graduate classes and I bought two of my books very easily off of Amazon for a reasonable price.

However, the third book was apparently supposed to come with a code, and none of the editions on Amazon (or any other discount sites) came with that code. So I tried ordering from the school directly (for around $160) and the transaction never went through. Instead, I ended up finding a coworker who had an older edition and I'm now just borrowing hers (sans code). I feel like the code was needed to access certain lecture videos but so far I'm in the fourth week (of a seven week class) and I haven't missed out. We'll see what happens.

But anyway, generally speaking, yeah, college textbooks are a complete shakedown. Throughout undergrad, I found any way possible around buying textbooks. I discovered in many cases, required texts (not just recommended) were often underutilized and sometimes unneeded.

Here's a fun graph.

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/926781/thumbs/s-COLLEGE-TEXTBOOKS-PRICES-480x360.jpg

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/04/college-textbook-prices-increase_n_2409153.html

[Bandito]

Pirate Bay, Mobilism, Library.

Nuff Said.
Thats how I get all my books...

[Bosnian Sajo]

Pirate Bay, Mobilism, Library.

Nuff Said.

Torrents for books? Wordddd? :oldlol:

[Rubio2Gasol]

:facepalm

Online code?

Usually there's a way to access any services of that nature using library services.

Either:

A. They have original copies on store or
B: The library servers have already paid for access to the publisher's services and you just need to logon to your account.

[Draz]

The professors forcing us to get new editions annoy me when there's absolutely no difference. I went a few classes without buying textbooks, stupid decision because I didn't do good. Some professors is fine with older editions. Textbooks being a requirement in a field that requires constant use of it like biology or math is fine.

[D-Rose]

Steps to buying cheaper books:

1. Don't buy before asking the prof what is necessary.
2. Ask the prof if you can buy the older edition.
3. NEVER buy in bookstore unless necessary. Use craigslist.
4. bigwords.com <---- bookmark this shit.
5. Go to your school library and ask if they have copies of textbooks. Works well at community colleges.


You're welcome.

[InfiniteBaskets]

My college had a bookstore on campus, you could buy new or used book editions.

Many students turned a profit buying used on ebay or some other online retailer, and then would sell to the school book store at the end of the semester.

Not sure all this bar code business. Most classes I had were taught by a professor following a syllabus that loosely was based on a book. A few classes like calc or stats might've had online modules from third parties that would require logins. That was annoying as it forced students to sign up for an account.

[ace23]

At my school, you can only do the homework (It's online) if you purchase the code that the campus store sells with the book. You can buy the code separately but it's obviously a better deal to buy the code with the book.

[IamRAMBO24]

Education is the largest monopoly in America. Prices can be inflated since there are no competition.

[BurningHammer]

Buy copies.

[9erempiree]

I understand there are sites that you can download the PDF version of the textbook. That is why used books are useless.

You need the online code to do assignments and it forces students to buy the book with a code.

My whole point is that codes are more valuable than the book itself. There is really no way around this.

I recommend students take a course depending on the cost of the textbook. It use to be about the class and instructor. Now students look at it as a cost.

[ALBballer]

I recommend students take a course depending on the cost of the textbook. It use to be about the class and instructor. Now students look at it as a cost.

Sure if you are attending a public school. But anyone attending a 50k/year type of school should be more worried about tier tuition than the $100-200 book.

Btw I agree OP. Books are a scam and thankfully I only had a few classes that required these online courses when I went for my undergrad.

[Tarik One]

It depends on how much course content is dependent on the access code. If there is enough work that can be done (term papers, midterm, take home assignments) that can amount to enough to get you an A or at least a B, then you can do without the code.