Attn. college folks, got a question...

[Megaseth]

Im looking up my books on Half.com because the book store prices are outrageous. well, i've found two that i need, but most are the international editions of the books. they say its the same content, but is that true? do teachers care if you have the US or Int'l edition? if they dont, then i'm going to save a bunch on books.

[MetaOrbit]

Im looking up my books on Half.com because the book store prices are outrageous. well, i've found two that i need, but most are the international editions of the books. they say its the same content, but is that true? do teachers care if you have the US or Int'l edition? if they dont, then i'm going to save a bunch on books.

Generally, if the content is the same, you shouldn't have to worry. The only issues that might arise would be where the professor specifies specific section or page numbers that correspond differently in the edition you have. Other editions might also lack updated material, pictures, etc. You might want to wait until you get your syllabus or until you can speak with the prof, as that will help you make your decision.

And remember...you can always buy all the books that you need at the bookstore, find out specifically what you need, buy it on half.com, and then return those books that you bought at the campus store for a full refund.... Works out nicely

[fiznat]

also check out amazon and places like that... they have used books on there as well. The college bookstore is pretty much the most expensive place you can go (unless you buy all used books... which is a sweet deal if you can find em), but youre also guaranteed to have the same version etc etc.

Dont forget that for most books you're gonna be able to sell em back at the end of the semester as well... unless they change editions or something then you're screwed..

[vicki]

There was some dispute about this a little while ago. Students found out that they can buy books internationally or in Canada for a fraction of the cost of buying the books in the US. If they say the content is the same as the US edition that you need, then chances are, it is. If not, then you can always return it and dispute the case with them. Just make sure you buy from a reputable site/co. Usually they add an additional chapter or the page numbering is a little different.

[Megaseth]

yeah, i found a few good ones on half.com. and i only need two books at good prices, well, maybe three. but if i can get the int'l ed. then i will cause they're about $40 less than the book store. i'll check out the used books total, and see what it comes out to be, and then check half. i know the book store sells good used ones, but i cant see the used ones online. thanks for the info.

[90Q45blue]

I say go for it. Anything to attempt the screw over the basturds at the bookstore is fine by me.

Nick

[Checkered-Member]

I actually used an international biology book this summer, and there were absolutely no differences between the two versions.

[cys19]

professors usually know about these things. you can ask them.

[Megaseth]

thats actually a good idea. the funny thing is, i've had a few professors who have made a big deal about the cost of books. i bet they'll back me. i even had a teacher tell me i could use my dads 6th ed drafting book when we were using the 12th.

[Fish240]

yeah I have had professors like that as well. This one professor I had suggested we partner up with someone and share a book because we had to use new books and the price was crazy. I guess they remember being a poor student as well lol

[andrave]

**** that, first stop at your library, you can usually find half the books you need right there, for free.then go on half.com and get the older edition of the books. thats what I do. the page numbers don't match what the teachers says but 99% of the info is the same.I refuse to get my *** ripped on books.actually, in many of my undergraduate classes I would just ask the professor if they had an extra copy of the book. They usually do, and they would let me borrow it for a semester.

[rico05]

See my thing is, a lot of my professors seem to like to change their books. Like, the department submits a list of books to the bookstores, but each professor gets to choose what books to teach. Half the damn time I buy a book and the prof dosen't even use it!

That and the fact that most of my classes are so easy (history, poly sci, etc) that I forgo buying the book, and jsut not skip class. So far (6 semsesters) this has yet to fail me;)

[sultan]

i sat next to a guy with the international edition of a textbook in one class, the cover of his book was visually a little different and said something to the effect that you are not supposed to sell it in the US on the back.

[Megaseth]

excellent, wont be the first or last time i've done something illegal.

[rousie13]

See my thing is, a lot of my professors seem to like to change their books. Like, the department submits a list of books to the bookstores, but each professor gets to choose what books to teach. Half the damn time I buy a book and the prof dosen't even use it!

That and the fact that most of my classes are so easy (history, poly sci, etc) that I forgo buying the book, and jsut not skip class. So far (6 semsesters) this has yet to fail me;)

I wish I could do that, but my engineering classes kind of require a book.

[180crafter]

My my college there are 2 bookstores that sell used books and compete for each others business. An 80 dollar book can easily drop down to 35 bucks. But that still is too expensive for something you dont really want.

[Fish240]

I got burned my freshman year first semester, spent about 500 on books and sold them back for....120

[nnkfws333]

I've bought many international edition books and they are fine. There not as nice as a hardback cover and smaller text sizes but it did the job fine. You might want to talk to other people who took the same class/teacher and see what they say....most of my teachers lectured straight out of the book and did powerpoint presentations so I barely looked at the book. OR............ask them if you can burrow there book or buy it for cheap.

Good luck in college!

[Megaseth]

yeah, most of my professors last year taught out of the book, and the only thing we really needed it for was problems. but the two classes that i might be getting the international version will probably not have book problems.

[cys19]

I don't buy my books until the first 2-3 days of class b/c of the drop/add session.

[Fish240]

I don't buy my books until the first 2-3 days of class b/c of the drop/add session.

good thinking, buy at my school we can get a full refund on books for the first 2 weeks of the semester.

[rico05]

I wish I could do that, but my engineering classes kind of require a book.

Like I said, I only pull this off on required blow off classes (basic hisotry, poly sci, etc) As an English major, I have to get TONS of big anthologies and such. At least a lot of your engineering books can be used for more than one semester/class and they are lifetime references. I keep a few of my books (poetry anthologies, Shakespeare anthology) but for the most part, my books are useless after the class.