Wheres The Best Place to Buy Cheap Uni Books?

kimba88 on 03/02/2011 - 18:00
Last edited 03/02/2011 - 18:00

Hi guys,

Im not actually in Uni anymore but i regret not buying a book from when i was actually in Uni. I just kept borrowing it from the library and now i want it.

Its called: ACSM's Exercise Management for Persons with Chronic Diseases and Disabilities

I'd prefer 3rd edition, but 2nd edition may be fine too.

Where is the best place to buy this, whether it be in Aus or Overseas? I dont want to pay too much for shipping. This book is at the uwsconnect bookshop for around $85 i think. So im looking to pay less. I will buy second hand if its in good condition, but if its not that much cheaper than new, then i would prefer to buy it new.

Plus, i thought this thread would also be good for people in Uni looking to buy their text books cheaper.

General Discussion

Comments

    • kimba88 on 03/02/2011 - 18:43

      Thanks. I was actually hoping for cheaper than humankinetics. I dont want an ebook either. I want to be able to take it places.. i dont have a laptop.

      booko looks like a good site.. and it shows amazon is the cheapest.. which i suspected. Has anyone bought books from amazon before? Im not sure how it works. Do people list their books up there and sell them or are they companies.. whats the go? Sorry, i may look a little stupid, but i dont understand amzon.

  • tebbybabes on 03/02/2011 - 18:32
    +3

    I've used textbookexchange.com.au quite a few times. Sometimes I can get a good deal with a 2nd hand book. Just don't quite know what you're getting until you see it. Anyway, did a quick search and the copies for sale weren't much cheaper, $75 for the 3rd, $70 for the 2nd. Of course I haven't even factored in shipping.

    Maybe check for your self. The listings change all the time.

    Good luck!

    • kimba88 on 03/02/2011 - 18:44

      Yeah i have tried textbookexchange before. Ive actually sold a couple of books on there.. picked up some great bargains before too. Last time i checked, my book wasnt on there. Its not usually a book you would want to sell after buying it.. hence my regret for not buying it earlier =P

  • Daabido on 03/02/2011 - 19:30

    I once wanted a CD, which was by my favourite artist and happened to be out of print. This was back when the internet was first starting out as something the fringe of the mainstream were using, so finding it through old search engines plus a store that actually had listed a physical copy online for purchase was quite a feat.

    But I got hung up about the shipping price, which was US$10, back when the A$ wasn't worth as much. So I was going on about the cost of what I knew would be a very enjoyable CD when my brother's girlfriend in her inimitable direct way said, "Care factor zero." I had never heard the phrase before but I immediately realised that by the time I had heard and listened to the CD a couple of times, I wouldn't care either what I paid for it.

    Sounds like the same with this book and you. Just buy it from Amazon. It is sold directly by them, will come fairly quickly from the US and will be well wrapped and well protected. If it doesn't arrive in good condition, I have found that Amazon unlike most companies still bends over backwards for customer service, even for people not in the US like them.

  • ngf on 03/02/2011 - 20:20

    One possibility is to check out noticeboards at universities that use the textbook, they are generally the lowest priced books.

  • altomic on 03/02/2011 - 20:23

    abebooks is where I buy most of my uni books from

    human kinetics 3rd edition is US$58 shipped (AU$59)
    2nd edition US$44

    sometimes Ebay is good.

    and from NZ trademe is sometimes good.

    alibris sucks- you have to put stuff in your cart and register and enter info and then at the end it tells you postage is too much. it's too much like work.

    • altomic on 03/02/2011 - 20:30

      oh yeah, do a quick search for abebook coupons/vouchers via google before you buy.

      I found a free shipping coupon last semester and saved $15 off one book.

    • tebbybabes on 03/02/2011 - 21:33

      I've shopped via abebooks as well, sometimes. One thing to look out for though are the books that are marked international editions. I don't mind international editions as the content is the same, but quality can be different sometimes. The international editions can be cheaper so it can be a tradeoff.

      • kimba88 on 19/02/2011 - 01:55

        I finially came across an international edition today. It was for a different book, but i had no idea what you were talking about.. now i do! All international editions on abebooks seem to be clearly labelled.. which is good. It seems not that much extra for the original.. so i went with the original.

  • kimba88 on 03/02/2011 - 21:24

    Ive been having a look at abebooks. They still seem more expensive than amazon, even with a discount code. I cant seem to find any decent discount codes, apart from 10% off.. but that still isnt that great because postage in some cases is usually ridiculous. I cant seem to find a free shipping code for abe books.. if there is, its for the most expensive priced book there.

    At the moment im leaning more towards amazon since Daabido has mentioned good customer service too. Ive been looking for voucher codes for free shipping or something, but cant seem to find any for amazon. Is packaging always nice and sturdy? Im a little scarred from buying something from the UK not long ago.. the gift arrived a little crushed in its box.

    I was hoping to pay around $50-$60 for the book max.

    Altomic, do you have a direct link to the human kinetics one for $59? I cant seem to find it.

  • janeymac on 03/02/2011 - 23:13

    How about bookdepository.co.uk? Also search for discount codes on ozbargain. You can sometimes get 5-10% off their already cheap prices.

    • kimba88 on 03/02/2011 - 23:39

      Thanks janeymac. I jusy had a look and the price is pretty much exactly the same as what i can buy it for in australia. i found a 10% discount code on ozbaragin, but i dont see anywhere i can enter it in on the bookdepository webpage. Either way, im not sure why, but they are pretty much exactly the same price.

      Also just checked out the american version of book depository.. its about $5 cheaper which is good.. but i dont know where to put in a discount code.

      • janeymac on 04/02/2011 - 00:17

        Hey kimba. The discount codes have an expiry date, but they come around every couple of months. Usually you have to click on the link that's posted, so that it redirects you to a checkout with 'coupon code' box. Otherwise, it's just normal bookdepository discounts.

        Just tested this link to the latest ozbargain post about bookdepository
        http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/38289
        but the link is no longer working.

        If it's not an urgent purchase, I would wait for a sale :) Sorry couldn't be more help!

        • kimba88 on 04/02/2011 - 00:23

          Thanks for trying! I think the cheapest i can get this book so far is about $74.. if i pay an extra $10 i can have it immediately without any wait from uwsconnect. Hmm.. im gona keep searching.. surely i can get it cheaper than that :-)

    • altomic on 05/02/2011 - 23:49

      oh, I just changed the currency to Aus$ and it was like AUS$56.5 or so.

      I ordered from ebay once and it was sent TNT from Thailand to Bris in 48 hours.

      But for this book-
      From states to Aus add another $5 and they say 10 -12 days

      this price 21 -36 days.

      uni doesn't really start for a month but you shaould start reading sooner than later.e

      • kimba88 on 06/02/2011 - 00:06
        +1

        Thanks Altomic. Im tempted but i dont know how good the condition of the book is.. Used - Good Hardcover. 3rd Edition May contain highlighting/underlining/notes/etc. May have used stickers on cover.
        I just dont like the word 'may'. Wouldnt they know? Do abebooks charge a handling fee as well on top of the shipping? I would probably want priority mail so around $63 without a handling fee. hmm..

        I dont go to uni anymore.. hence my regret not buying this textbook when i was there. I have sort of stopped learning since i still havent found myself a job related to my degree almost 2yrs on =(

        All you people out there getting yourself a uni degree, goodluck finding a job after graduating.. you'll need it!

        • altomic on 06/02/2011 - 22:17

          The books that I have boought have been cool. no markings or anything. its a general disclaimer that I (for myself) would ignore. like on ebay with "used" condition.

          that price is the price -no handling fee.

          I've gone back to uni for a further degree that should get me a job due to the work I'm doing currently. I believe that is the key (work in the fiedl, study in the field) maybe I'm just being optimistic?

          yeah but my original degree didn't really get me a job in that field though it did score me a working visa to Japan for 4 years.

        • kimba88 on 06/02/2011 - 23:42

          Thanks! Very good to know the condition of the book is usually pretty good. So if you're not happen with the condition, even if it says 'used', can you send it back with their 30 day guarantee? I guess im just worried about getting a book thats a bit grimey or with too much highlighting. im a bit of a germ-a-phobe. lol.

          Thats awesome! No handling fee! I guess that makes abebooks cheaper than amazon, since amazon charge a handling fee.

          I like your work in the field, study in the field theory. You would do so much better at uni with experience! Maybe i should look into working overseas.. hmm..

  • kimba88 on 07/02/2011 - 01:21

    Im really not sure whether i should buy 2nd hand - $63 delivered in 10-12 business days from USA
    http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=4219505552

    Or buy brand new - $68.87 delivered 3-7 business days from India
    http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=4273971692

    Im not sure if either of those books are 'international editions' like tebbybabes says can happen. Im also not sure if there would be a difference in quality between the USA and India.

    Or are there other options? I was sort of hoping to be saving a little more money to be honest.. but at the moment, these look like my best bet.

  • lollyinthesky on 07/02/2011 - 14:22

    With the international versions, is there any difference to the content? I've read some really badly worded things online about whether they are or not and I'm not sure whether it's page-for-page to the original.

    I've got a price from my uni for $135 (softcover) but I can get the international softcover edition on Ebay for $65. It specifically says "This is the softcover, International Edition. It is printed in COLOR and on premium quality paper. This is NOT the low-quality Indian Edition". I may be being naive, but the quality can't be too low (I guess).

    Worth it?

    • janeymac on 07/02/2011 - 14:28

      I've bought international versions of textbooks before, and the only difference is that they are soft cover, and the paper quality is lower. It did not make a difference to my learning, as content was the same. Your resale value may be slightly less than local versions, but overall I think it's worth getting the cheaper version.

  • altomic on 07/02/2011 - 20:58

    I've primarily bought international editions.
    I'm very happy with them. there is no difference in content.
    They aren't cheap or nasty.
    crispy white and high quality printing.
    They are only softcover. but what do you want hard cover for?
    Like janeymac said.

    • Ashlea on 13/02/2011 - 01:32

      Hard cover is a pain anyway, it makes the books so heavy when you've gotta carry a few for the day.

  • kimba88 on 08/02/2011 - 01:32

    So are international editions ALWAYS soft cover? Im unsure, but would there be a difference in quality of the book with one from India compared to from the USA or UK where the book was made? I just find it weird how all of them are from the USA or UK.. and then one from India pops up. Im just curious if there would be any difference at all. I highly doubt it though.. it also says its hard cover.. so that to me suggests its a non-international edition.

    • altomic on 09/02/2011 - 21:16

      printing costs and royalties.
      print in the states and there is different royalties.
      plus printing costs are higher in the states.
      all the international editions I've bought have printed on the inside cover "not for sale in the united states".
      protectionism?
      I may be wrong.
      india, hard cover? maybe just an import? don't know.

  • tebbybabes on 10/02/2011 - 16:44

    I can only vouch for copies of books that I own….

    International editions from:

    India - lower quality paper, sometimes less than stellar binding, softcovers, black and white images (although recent ones are in color, but still inferior to US editions, Content is exactly the same.

    UK/Singapore - Paper is excellent, generally thinner but some were the same and some were even heavier! Softcovers, color images exactly the same as the US versions. Content is exactly the same.

    I've always bought international editions before because they were easier for me to source. The price being cheaper was just a nice bonus. :)

  • kimba88 on 13/02/2011 - 01:22

    Awww.. even with Amazon UK's free standard delivery, my book is still like $75-$78AUD.. i got really excited thinking it would be heaps cheap.. i guess not. I think i've also decided i want a new version of the book. Im worried about what sort of condition the 2nd hand abebook ones come in.

  • janeymac on 14/02/2011 - 08:51

    There is a new 10% off code for the book depository. Just search ozbargain.

  • uraha on 14/02/2011 - 19:30

    http://www.textbookexchange.com.au/content.php/25.html

    and search for it

  • kimba88 on 16/02/2011 - 02:17

    www.fishpond.com.au have free shipping at the moment for this week only. Does anyone know of any further discount codes that might be able to be used? If so, it might be worthwhile getting textbooks from here. I can get this textbook for $65 brand new delivered from fishpond. Unfortunately, the one from India i was enquiring about was sold out. Plus the company had bad customer service not replying to emails.. so im glad they sold out.

  • kimba88 on 17/02/2011 - 14:22

    Ok, so at this stage i bought the 2nd edition from abebooks for $12 delivered from USA (ex library book in very good condition). Should arrive in 10-21 days. I think that is an absolute bargain considering there are some 2nd hand 2nd editions going for $30 and up (not including postage). I still want the 3rd edition though.. only because its got 70 extra pages. I just want to compare the two books to see if there is much of a difference.. and then maybe resell the one i dont want on textbook exchange or something. Gah.. i hate decisions. Im still hanging out for a cheaper price though.

    Fishpond have also indicated to me that they do not provide coupon codes anymore at all :-S

  • kimba88 on 18/02/2011 - 00:17

    Ok, i think im talking to myself on this thread now, but i just thought i should let everybody know this. lol.

    I just went on the fishpond website to hopefully purchase that textbook. I also read that fishpond are now having a sale of over 50% on over 1000 books. I thought sweet, it should be cheaper. I went to the website and the price was still the same $64.99 delivered with a saving of 38%. Within seconds it updated to say $64.99 delivered, save 50% (and the 'original' price increased). Then once again the price refreshed and said $65.06 delivered, save 50% (and the 'original' price jumped up again).

    I seriously cant believe i just witnessed that. I was set to give fishpond my sale, but now im a little hesitant. Has anyone else seen this?? I was hoping the book would go a little further down in price.. and the RRP not magically jump up in price.

    • issh on 18/02/2011 - 00:20

      I went to the website and the price was still the same $64.99 delivered with a saving of 38%. Within seconds it updated to say $64.99 delivered, save 50% (and the ‘original’ price increased). Then once again the price refreshed and said $65.06 delivered, save 50% (and the ‘original’ price jumped up again).

      many business do this, they say they have a sale on their products but it usually is approx the same price, because their 'sale' is based upon the RRP of the product, not the usual/average price of it is

      • kimba88 on 18/02/2011 - 00:23

        In saying that, im pretty sure their RRP was less 15minutes ago then it is now. How does an RRP magically jump up??

      • kimba88 on 18/02/2011 - 00:26

        Either way 50% off RRP $128.99 is $64.495 not $65.06 or even $64.99. So they havent even got the percentage right. Technically it should be cheaper than what it was 15-20minutes ago.

      • kimba88 on 18/02/2011 - 00:36

        what the??.. its changed again!!!
        Its now back to $64.99 and you're still saving '50%'.. even though earlier it was $64.99 with a saving of 38%. Im so confuzzled!

        • issh on 18/02/2011 - 00:40

          seems like they are changing a whole heap of prices now

          We're sorry, Fishpond is currently experiencing technical difficulties:
          Please try again later, we are working to return the site to normal operation as soon as possible.

        • kimba88 on 18/02/2011 - 00:43

          Yeah i just saw the same thing. Hopefully they are making the price cheaper. I emailed them my thoughts and also gave them a link to booko to point out Amazon actually have it cheaper. Knowing my luck, they've probably read my email and they are now going to increase the price even more. lol

        • kimba88 on 18/02/2011 - 12:48

          Yep, my luck is just my luck. Its now $72.99 save 43%. How can a 'sale' differentiate so much???

  • tebbybabes on 19/02/2011 - 00:53

    Lol. That's definitely something to look out for! Dodgy sales!

  • kimba88 on 22/02/2011 - 22:14
    +1

    So, it really pays to do some research before you buy.

    I got ACSM’s Exercise Management for Persons with Chronic Diseases and Disabilities 2nd edition (ex library book in great condition) from Abebooks (better world books) for $12 delivered from the USA. Every other 2nd hand book of this edition is going for around $40 or so. Expected delivery is on or before March 11th. Status = shipped

    Then i bought Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques (brand new) from Fishpond for $67.97 delivered. One of the cheapest delivered.. amazon were better.. but I thought being from fishpond, i should have it delivered to me way before.. but it may not be the case. Estimated delivery is between 25th Feb-1st March.. its hasnt even been shipped from the warehouse yet even though they said if you order before 'x' time we'll ship it today.. that hasnt been the case.. apparently u have to pay for express shipping for that to happen, even though it doesnt state that on their website. Status = released to warehouse. From there they need to select the book, pack it, send it to the local warehouse, and then send it to me. What a joke of a system! I hope they keep to their delivery date!

    I then bought ACSM’s Exercise Management for Persons with Chronic Diseases and Disabilities 3rd edition (brand new) for $48 delivered from Alibris (s_r books). I bought this because i thought it may have a bit more info than the 2nd edition.. and it should arrive in better condition. Expected delivery is before the 25th of March. Status = shipped. This can be bought at uwsconnect bookshop for ~$84.. so i think i got myself a bargain.

    So now i play the waiting game and hope all 3 of my books arrive very soon.. hopefully sooner than expected.

    Has anyone had much experience with buying books from overseas, namely USA? I want to know if shipping times are usually spot on or do they get delayed at customs?

    Also, are fishpond reliable when saying they have a book in stock in their warehouse and give you a delivery time? Im hoping they dont keep changing delivery times on me as it hasnt been shipped yet.

    • issh on 23/02/2011 - 00:06

      I got ACSM’s Exercise Management for Persons with Chronic Diseases and Disabilities 2nd edition (ex library book in great condition) from Abebooks (better world books) for $12 delivered from the USA.

      wow great price, shipping alone will cost more than $12

      I then bought ACSM’s Exercise Management for Persons with Chronic Diseases and Disabilities 3rd edition (brand new) for $48 delivered from Alibris

      yeah it probably will have a bit more info, but most of the context should be the same, nice price

      Has anyone had much experience with buying books from overseas, namely USA? I want to know if shipping times are usually spot on or do they get delayed at customs?

      i have bought from USA before, shipping was around 3 weeks, but the business is usually slow for delivery(lockerz)

    • kimba88 on 23/02/2011 - 00:46

      Oh, just to let everyone know,.. i also searched for an alibris coupon before paying. That brought it down by about $3.30. Abebooks also have coupons.. but at this point in time, they didnt have one.

  • kimba88 on 06/04/2011 - 22:11

    Finally got all three of my books. Thought i would put a summary here of delivery times, condition and packaging. Hope this helps people looking at ordering textbooks overseas. It pays to do research over a number of days/weeks to get the best price for the book you want!

    ACSM’s Exercise Management for Persons with Chronic Diseases and Disabilities 2nd edition (ex library book in great condition) from Abebooks (better world books) for $12 delivered from the USA

    ORDERED: 15th February
    EXPECTED DELIVERY: On or before 10th March
    RECEIVED: 7th March
    PACKAGING: Just a plastic postal sleeve.. no box or protection
    CONDITION: A few dents, but i cant really complain for $12 total. Still very good condition.

    Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques (brand new) from Fishpond for $67.97 delivered

    ORDERED: 18th February
    EXPECTED DELIVERY: 25th Feb-1st March
    RECEIVED: 4th March
    PACKAGING: Box with paper protecting the book inside
    CONDITION: Excellent.. no problems maybe a couple of slight marks

    ACSM’s Exercise Management for Persons with Chronic Diseases and Disabilities 3rd edition (brand new) for $48 delivered from Alibris (s_r books)

    ORDERED: 18th February
    EXPECTED DELIVERY: On or before 25th of March
    RECEIVED: *Didnt receive it after 45days so lodged a complaint.. They said they would refund my money.. two days later (6th April) it turns up at my door step
    PACKAGING: Box with foam pieces protecting the book inside
    CONDITION: Ok, but was damaged at the top where the box was crushed. Not too happy bout that

    • issh on 06/04/2011 - 22:15

      ORDERED: 18th February
      EXPECTED DELIVERY: On or before 25th of March
      RECEIVED: *Didnt receive it after 45days so lodged a complaint.. They said they would refund my money.. two days later (6th April) it turns up at my door step
      PACKAGING: Box with foam pieces protecting the book inside
      CONDITION: Ok, but was damaged at the top where the box was crushed. Not too happy bout that

      haha lol

      happen to me once with laptop case, sellers @ ebay are nice, they refund you if you do not receive it!

  • Taita on 07/04/2011 - 07:42

    I've bought all uni books online from
    _ ebay.com and ebay.co.uk stores (ex library): quick delivery, very cheap prices. great 2nd hand condition.

    _ bookdepository.co.uk : quick delivery (if they have it in stock) at the start of uni, stock finishes quickly.

    _ amazon : only if I cant find books anywhere else. they may be cheaper but delivery times ruin it for me. some books have taken 6+weeks. no point if my semester is almost over.

    _ amazon sellers : for 2nd hand books they are cheap and delivery is better than amazon.

    _ direct from publishers : some books are hard to find at any price. if I really needed asap, I call the publishers australian office and ask to have it mailed to me. they generally have 1 to 5 in stock and are happy to send it via express post.

    _ ebay.com adn .co.uk : 2nd hand books. delivery times are great but postage is high.

    _ gumtree : worth checking there as well. even in other states.

  • HereYeeHereYee on 22/09/2011 - 00:51
    +1

    Just was there today, heavily discounted books on sale. Books that were $90 down to $12 (got some law/historical/cooking books) I can't submit a bargain since I'm a new member but just letting you all know that coop-bookshop in Ultimo (City) is closing down and books are heavily discounted… don't miss out.

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