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You know textbooks are out of control when...

That's why I love advanced classes/grad classes. Most often, the prof is unhappy with the coverage in most books, and writes up his own course notes, which you can buy for a fraction of the price (between $10-20).

Seriously though, I'm taking a digital communications class, and Bob Gallagar(A legend in the field) has written a set of course notes that might possibly be the best textbook I'v ever read. And they cost me <$20.

On the other hand, I remember paying $167 for a copy of E.M Purcell, an Horrible E&M textbook as a freshman.

To the OP: have you tried looking for used books/international paperback editions. They can be substantially cheaper.
 
college text books are the biggest scam ever. Congress should get involved and pass some measures to stop the unjustifed price gouging.
 
Originally posted by: Citrix
college text books are the biggest scam ever. Congress should get involved and pass some measures to stop the unjustifed price gouging.
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They'll still find some way to abuse college students.
 
"When textbooks are out of control..."

Featuring emotionally scarred students crying as they remember the wasted beer money and the textbooks that ruined their lives.

 
I'm a comp sci major and I stopped buying textbooks after my second year. Obviously I can't speak for other degrees, but with the wealth of comp sci information on the intarweb, I find it difficult to justify purchasing a $170 textbook that I will likely never use.

FK
 
Originally posted by: FusionKnight
I'm a comp sci major and I stopped buying textbooks after my second year. Obviously I can't speak for other degrees, but with the wealth of comp sci information on the intarweb, I find it difficult to justify purchasing a $170 textbook that I will likely never use.

FK
Click to expand...

Same here, I don't think I've bought any textbooks in at least a year, probably two (CS major also). I realized after my first few semesters that all the textbooks that I spent ridiculous amounts of money on, never even got opened 99% of the time. I'm not going to piss away money like that anymore...😛
 
I hate having to by textbooks, one of my books this term will cost $275 for my Anatomy class. Just one book, something really has to be done about this, I think my books will total around $400 just for winter term. 🙁
 
Originally posted by: darthsidious
That's why I love advanced classes/grad classes. Most often, the prof is unhappy with the coverage in most books, and writes up his own course notes, which you can buy for a fraction of the price (between $10-20).

Seriously though, I'm taking a digital communications class, and Bob Gallagar(A legend in the field) has written a set of course notes that might possibly be the best textbook I'v ever read. And they cost me <$20.

On the other hand, I remember paying $167 for a copy of E.M Purcell, an Horrible E&M textbook as a freshman.

To the OP: have you tried looking for used books/international paperback editions. They can be substantially cheaper.
Click to expand...


Master!

Guide me.


😀
 
Whenever possible I buy books on the "grey" market since they are alot cheaper there. Just go to half.com and buy one of the editions that are cheap there. Anyways, half my books say "not for sale in the United States" in big red print on them, but who the @#%@ cares its not like someone is gonna arrest me for buying textbooks from asia.
 
The only thing that annoyed me with textbooks in college is when the prof would have a required text be one he/she had written. The conflict of interest is so obvious a 6 year old could see it yet it goes on.
 
Originally posted by: Linflas
The only thing that annoyed me with textbooks in college is when the prof would have a required text be one he/she had written. The conflict of interest is so obvious a 6 year old could see it yet it goes on.
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I took a class where the prof wrote the book. he told everyoe not to buy it from the bookstore because he could sell it cheaper......he gave use a $5 discount:disgust:
 
And how much of the money you got back from selling last semester's books went to the new ones? Unless the answer is all then I don't see the issue. Most people I knew would use that cash on beer.
 
Yeah I've spent more on textbooks than I have on some classes 🙁 Oh well, pay up now, it will pay off later!
 
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Originally posted by: FusionKnight
I'm a comp sci major and I stopped buying textbooks after my second year. Obviously I can't speak for other degrees, but with the wealth of comp sci information on the intarweb, I find it difficult to justify purchasing a $170 textbook that I will likely never use.

FK
Click to expand...

Same here, I don't think I've bought any textbooks in at least a year, probably two (CS major also). I realized after my first few semesters that all the textbooks that I spent ridiculous amounts of money on, never even got opened 99% of the time. I'm not going to piss away money like that anymore...😛
Click to expand...

QF MF T!

I wised up in sophomore year after realizing that half the books I bought were either outdated, horribly written, or better explained in wikipedia (not kidding); even if it's good, I never read it anyway 😛

The only book i ever bought after that was for an OS class.. with crazy dinosaurs on the cover :/ that class pwned hard

I just graduated this semester 🙂
 
Originally posted by: screw3d
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Originally posted by: FusionKnight
I'm a comp sci major and I stopped buying textbooks after my second year. Obviously I can't speak for other degrees, but with the wealth of comp sci information on the intarweb, I find it difficult to justify purchasing a $170 textbook that I will likely never use.

FK
Click to expand...

Same here, I don't think I've bought any textbooks in at least a year, probably two (CS major also). I realized after my first few semesters that all the textbooks that I spent ridiculous amounts of money on, never even got opened 99% of the time. I'm not going to piss away money like that anymore...😛
Click to expand...

QF MF T!

I wised up in sophomore year after realizing that half the books I bought were either outdated, horribly written, or better explained in wikipedia (not kidding); even if it's good, I never read it anyway 😛

The only book i ever bought after that was for an OS class.. with crazy dinosaurs on the cover :/

I just graduated this semester 🙂
Click to expand...

We used that book too. My bookstore wanted to give me $5 for it. :|
 
Originally posted by: tfinch2
Originally posted by: screw3d
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Originally posted by: FusionKnight
I'm a comp sci major and I stopped buying textbooks after my second year. Obviously I can't speak for other degrees, but with the wealth of comp sci information on the intarweb, I find it difficult to justify purchasing a $170 textbook that I will likely never use.

FK
Click to expand...

Same here, I don't think I've bought any textbooks in at least a year, probably two (CS major also). I realized after my first few semesters that all the textbooks that I spent ridiculous amounts of money on, never even got opened 99% of the time. I'm not going to piss away money like that anymore...😛
Click to expand...

QF MF T!

I wised up in sophomore year after realizing that half the books I bought were either outdated, horribly written, or better explained in wikipedia (not kidding); even if it's good, I never read it anyway 😛

The only book i ever bought after that was for an OS class.. with crazy dinosaurs on the cover :/

I just graduated this semester 🙂
Click to expand...

We used that book too. My bookstore wanted to give me $5 for it. :|
Click to expand...

A few semesters ago I blew about $400 - $500 on textbooks...when I went to return them I barely got $20 back lol. iirc I blew it on Subway :laugh:
 
Originally posted by: slsmnaz
And how much of the money you got back from selling last semester's books went to the new ones? Unless the answer is all then I don't see the issue. Most people I knew would use that cash on beer.
Click to expand...

The answer is all
 
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