As of 2020, the average college student spent over $1200 annually on textbooks. Students taking Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) programs spent even much more. Considering that students must still pay other fees, the cost of a college education can seem truly astronomical. 

The good news is that there are ways to cut costs on textbooks. In fact, one of the top college tips and tricks at the moment is to opt for a textbook rental service, instead of purchasing the books. 

In today’s post, we outline eight major ways renting a textbook can make your college life easier. Keep reading to learn more.

Renting a Textbook Is Much Cheaper

Arguably the top reason students choose textbook rentals is the low costs involved. Generally, a textbook rental costs a small fraction of the book’s list price. 

You can even save much more by comparing the textbook rental services in your area and choosing the one with the friendliest price. It’s a smart way to keep your college piggy bank full.

There’s a Lot of Flexibility

Student textbook rentals go out of their way to fit into your schedule. They’re flexible when it comes to the period of time you can rent the textbook. Most offer short-term, quarter, and semester rental options.

Thus, if you’re only considering an eight-week course, you don’t need to rent a textbook for the entire semester. You can go for short-term textbook rental and save money. And if you need to keep the book for longer than you’d previously thought, you can always extend your rental.

You Actually Get to Read the Book

Another benefit of renting a textbook is that you have a time limit during which to read the book. This time limit can actually force you to read the textbook. 

When you’ve purchased the book, it’s likely you won’t feel any urgency to read it. After you’ve read only the section you needed for your class, chances are you’ll let the textbook sit on the shelf collecting dust.

Renting a textbook forces you to read as much as you can before the return date arrives.

You Get to Save Space

As soon as the semester is over, chances are you won’t need those textbooks ever again. This is especially the case with general education courses that everyone takes. 

Purchasing textbooks means you’ll have piles of textbooks in your apartment that you no longer need. But when you rent these textbooks, you’ll return them as soon as you’ve finished using them. 

Returning Rental Textbooks Is Simple

Another thing you’re going to love about renting textbooks is that at the end of the rental period, returning them is simple. As soon as the due date approaches, most top textbook rental sites usually send a notification to remind you. 

Once the return date has arrived, you only need to print your pre-paid shipping label and drop the textbooks off at your nearest UPS Store. Most rental sites allow you to use the same box in which you received the book. 

As soon as the book reaches the rental service from which you rented it, you get a notification. It’s that easy.

You Get to Enjoy Free Shipping

Textbook rentals typically have free return shipping. Clients usually receive a shipping label along with the textbook that they can print. 

After you’ve finished using the textbook, all you need is to package it securely and attach the shipping label. You can then drop the book at the post office and the post office takes care of the rest.

You Don’t Need to Stress About Reselling Books

A big challenge with purchasing textbooks is that you don’t always know what to do with them once you’ve finished using them. Of course, you can still opt to resell them, but that’s easier said than done. Writing books listings, finding buyers, and meeting with them can be a hassle.

Besides, most buyers will only give you a tiny fraction of what you originally spent buying the book. That means making huge losses on the books you purchased.

When you choose to rent textbooks, you don’t need to worry about the entire hassle of reselling the book. Moreover, you don’t need to worry about ridiculous buyback prices.  

You Can Always Get the Latest Editions

Textbooks and casebooks are always being revised. A textbook or casebook you bought recently may go out of date, which makes it hardly useful and thus unsellable. That’s why it makes more sense to consider renting textbooks instead.

But that’s not all. The latest edition of a textbook may be quite pricey. By renting the textbook, you don’t need to worry about spending that much money on the book you need. 

You Can Access Rental Digital Books

Another huge benefit of opting for textbook rentals is that most online rental services stock a multitude of digital books. This way, it’s easy for clients to borrow and return books without having to visit the physical store. And when you borrow a digital textbook, there are zero shipping charges, which makes this option even more affordable. 

An added advantage of digital books is that you can fit many of them in your e-reader, which increases portability.

Reap the Benefits of Renting Your College Textbooks

Renting a textbook is the best way to reduce your textbook costs without negatively impacting your college experience.

It also takes the hassle of having to sell textbooks back at the end of the semester, besides affording you a ton of other benefits. It’s no wonder so many students are taking advantage of this route when it comes to accessing the books they need.

Are you interested in affordable textbook rental services? Please, check out our price comparison tool here.