The only stores that can compete with online prices are chain stores like Barnes and Noble. Barnes & Noble at 18th Street and 5th Avenue has a large selection of textbooks, both used and new, with prices comparable to online textbook sites. The company’s site, bn.com, also offers online discounts off certain selections.
Many students who order online do so in advance of the upcoming semester. Long waits for orders can deter some students and expedited shipping can be costly, but some sites offer quicker options at a low price. TextbooksRus.com ships books via US Postal Service priority mail for only $2.99, which takes only 1-to-3 days. Some sites also offer free shipping on orders over $50, like eCampus and Alibris.com.
Amazon offers free shipping on orders over $25, but it is only applicable on certain items and not eligible for used books sold by third-party sellers.
Amazon Marketplace is a section where buyers can purchase used items from third-party sellers, sometimes at lower prices than what the site offers, but many textbooks are sold by individual sellers and the deals don’t last long. Amazon.com has its own inventory of textbooks in stock. Most textbook sites have their own version, like Bookbyte Bazaar or eCampus Marketplace, which usually have different shipping options and return policies.
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