Textbook Rental at CC

[Pegasus]

I really do not understand the pricing for textbook rental where my DD is dual enrolling. Here's the prices at the college bookstore for a class she'll take in the fall:

 

New: $184

New (rental): $174

Used: $138

Used (rental): $130

 

At these prices, why would anyone rent? Any ideas?

[AngieW in Texas]

The rental prices at our cc and at UTD have been much less than the used prices when rental has been an option. I've never seen that little of a discount for renting before.

[AK_Mom4]

We saw prices like this when the text contained a non-reusable access code for online materials. The (small) savings was all in the textbook because everyone ended up paying the same amount to get the code.

 

For books without a code, renting books was much cheaper, but not so useful since DD19 needed to keep the books from her music classes.

[Aslana]

http://www.campusbookrentals.com/

 

I've used them to rent and to sell. Excellent. I try not to purchase at my bookstore anymore.

 

(and no, I don't work for them so there is no code or anything in that).

[Pegasus]

We saw prices like this when the text contained a non-reusable access code for online materials. The (small) savings was all in the textbook because everyone ended up paying the same amount to get the code.

 

For books without a code, renting books was much cheaper, but not so useful since DD19 needed to keep the books from her music classes.

 

 

Ah! This explains it. I do believe there is an access code for the course. Even the Rate My Professor entries warned to get the books at the college bookstore for this course.

 

They seem to get you one way or the other. I've also noticed "custom" texts so that you can't just get the book somewhere else.