If You Don't KEEP Textbooks...
RENT Textbooks!

Rent textbooks instead of buying them!

I found out about my recommended rental company for college texts, Chegg, in the N.Y. Times. And the Wall Street Journal too has written about the financial advantages of textbook rental as well.

As we all know, textbooks cost a ton. Buying new doesn't make sense. Even if you can sell the book back, you get a fraction of what you paid for it.

Buying used can help keep costs down. But, aided by the internet, textbook rentals are just starting to come into their own. And the company I like is Chegg. (It's short for "chicken and the egg." Don't ask.)

Please note: Chegg also has an option that allows you to buy and sell textbooks online. More on that later in the page.

To rent textbooks with Chegg, you start by visiting their site. (Let me walk you through it. Clicking opens a new window.)

Chegg states (all information as of this writing, July 2009) that books are "like new or good." Here's how it works:

1. You find the book. (Best to search by ISBN if you have it, because that guarantees you get the right edition.)
2. You choose your rental option (semester (125 days), quarter (85 days), or summer session (60 days)).
3. You choose your shipping option. (Last I looked, standard shipping was $1.99 per book. Return shipping is free!)
4. You give them all your necessary info.
5. They send and you receive your textbook rental.
6. Chegg plants a tree in your honor.
7. You use the book for the duration of your semester, quarter or summer session.
8. You return your book, using a prepaid (by them!) shipping label you get from Chegg's site.
9. Chegg plants another tree in your honor.
10. There is no 10.

Books from Chegg may contain highlighting but should not contain writing. This means you may highlight (you'll want to use a different color than the previous user!), but you cannot scribble notes in the books. Other no-nos (and I quote):

• Stains of any sort
• Water damage
• Missing, torn or loose pages/cover
• Handwriting, excessive marking/highlighting
• Broken spine/binding
• Any other significant damage that would prevent us from renting it

So be careful! You don't want to turn a textbook rental into a textbook purchase. Also, don't be late with your returns, because these folks can and will bill you. Their business model relies on getting those books back in time for the next term!

Read Chegg's FAQ page

Is Chegg the only place to rent textbooks?

No. The Wall Street Journal reported on two others. They all have slightly varying prices based on how many of your book they have in stock, with none of the companies being consistently cheaper than the others.

So why do I recommend you rent textbooks from Chegg? I like their interface, their clarity, and all those trees! Also, since they seem to be getting the most publicity, they're likely to end up with the biggest selection. Also...

As mentioned, they have an option to let you buy and sell textbooks too, instead of renting. Think there's a possibility you might end up wanting to keep that textbook? When you search for your book, Chegg will also give you buying options - new or used - and guaranteed buyback options - cash or Chegg credit.

Buy used and then take the Chegg credit on your return sale and you can actually end up paying less than the rental fee!

So no matter how you want to go about it, Chegg is there for you, providing multiple options.

Rent textbooks - or buy and sell textbooks - from Chegg

More on discount textbooks.

Best Children's Books home.