Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to rent textbooks?

Renting textbooks means that you pay a fee to use a textbook for a certain date range. Generally this is a semester, though some sites offer quarter, summer or custom rental periods. Textbook rentals tend to be much cheaper than buying a textbook.

How does the price comparison work?

Search by ISBN, title or author and we show the rental, used, new, eTextbook and sell-back prices we can get from the stores we compare, cheapest first, with shipping included where the store tells us. Rental periods are semester long (120+ days), quarter long (90 to 119 days) and session long (less than 90 days), chosen at the store.

Why should I rent textbooks?

College keeps getting more expensive, and while there isn't much you can do about tuition or room and board, you can cut what you spend on textbooks. Renting instead of buying saves a significant amount, and comparing several rental stores in one place saves even more.

Is renting a textbook similar to borrowing a book from the library?

Not really. A library loan is usually free unless you return it late. A textbook rental is more like renting a movie: you pay a small fee and can use the book for a set time.

How do I return my textbook rentals?

Go to the site where you rented the textbook, log in to your account and print the return label. Return shipping is free in almost all cases. If you return a rental late you generally pay a small overage fee.

Will my textbook rental come with an access code?

Probably not. Most rentals have been used before, so any access code that came with the book has likely been used. Many professors don't require one, so check with your professor first. If you do need one, you can buy access codes from the publisher, or search for the ISBN plus "access code".

Can I return my textbook rental and get my money back?

In most cases, yes, if you drop the class or your professor tells you the book isn't needed. Check the refund window of the store you rented from; most stores refund you as long as not too much time has passed.

Is free shipping included when I rent textbooks?

Many stores ship free, often above an order minimum. Otherwise shipping is usually $2 to $6. When a store gives us its shipping price we include it in the total in our price table.

Do you price compare new, used and eTextbooks?

Yes. New and used prices appear right below the rental prices, and sometimes buying used is cheaper than renting, especially if you sell the book back at the end of the term. eTextbooks arrive instantly but usually expire; a "forever" eTextbook tends to cost a lot more.