Loading ...Cost Cutter: Textbooks You Can Rent!
Textbook prices have been increasing at twice the rate of inflation for the past 20 years, and while publishers have profited, students and their families are feeling quite a pinch. That’s why I was intrigued when I came across Book Renter (www.bookrenter.com), a website that allows students to rent their textbooks instead of buying them!
How it Works
The book renting process is relatively user-friendly, and seems to be streamlined for use at any campus. The company offers 5 rental periods to accommodate courses that last several weeks to several months, and even allows students to extend their rental by up to 90 days. So, how does it work?
- The student searches for the title, author, or ISBN of the textbook, and rents it for the length of the school term.
- The book is quickly shipped out in new or like-new condition. The student can use it for the entire term, taking care to keep it in good shape.
- When the student is finished with the book, he or she prints out a free UPS return shipping label, and sends it back.
The catch? If the student marks or damages the book, he or she has to buy it.
Going Green
Though still a relatively new company, Book Renter has already gained enough notoriety to have been featured on several news programs, and to rent out to thousands of campuses. One student in a CNBC One Good Idea video reported saving $900 one year by renting her books instead of buying them–that’s a lot of green!
Many of Book Renter’s features allow for even more money-saving. Their extension policy means students can avoid late fees or forced purchase, and their SMS reminder option will even remind students that their due date is nearing.
And then there’s the other way Book Renter has gone green–their book recycling policy means students rent out returned books as well. This earth-friendly practice has helped make them a certified green business.
Discount Code!
BookRenter.com is offering a 5% discount for the first 200 people to enter the code “summer509” when renting textbooks this summer. This might be a good time to give it a try.
All the best,
Deborah Fox
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