Direct Textbook: College Students Are Overpaying Billions For Textbooks

PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- It is estimated that 70 percent of all college students are returning to class this fall, and that means billions of dollars will be wasted by students overpaying for textbooks, says Direct Textbook, the leading college textbook price comparison search engine. The free service, which has helped more than 20 million parents and students save millions of dollars on textbooks, estimates that most students overpay by 20 to 70 percent, or an average of 45 percent, primarily because they do not take advantage of online tools that are designed to help them find the lowest prices on textbooks.

The average college freshman can expect to spend nearly $5,000 on textbooks during four years of college, yet could save an average of 45 percent – or $2,250 – by using the Direct Textbook price comparison search feature. Apply that figure to an estimated 21 million U.S. college students, and that means students are collectively overpaying by $47 billion over the course of their educations.

"The cost of a college education continues to inflate, and along with it textbook prices have skyrocketed. The high cost of textbooks, especially campus bookstore textbooks, isn't just burdensome to students; it can jeopardize one's ability to afford a four-year degree and vastly adds to the national student loan debt," said Morgan MacArthur, Direct Textbook Chief Technology Officer.

Direct Textbook offers tips for how students can reclaim the 20 to 70 percent they're overpaying – and even save up to 90 percent on textbooks

1. Buy online: Use a textbook price comparison search engine such as Direct Textbook to compare new and used textbook prices between more than 200 reputable vendors to find the best possible price. As a last resort buy textbooks from the campus bookstore, which has more overhead to compensate for.
2. Act fast: The lowest-priced textbooks sell out quickly. Shop early and land the best discounts.
3. Sign up for price alerts: Sign up for Direct Textbook price alerts to receive instant notification when prices are reduced for needed textbooks.
4. Get cash back: Enroll in the Direct Textbook Cash Back program, a free service that gives students up to 10 percent cash back on all textbook purchases made from approved partners.
5. Use coupons: Search for textbook coupons you can redeem to save money instantly.
6. Buy older editions: Older textbook editions are available at lower prices, yet often include minimal edits that are not required for coursework. Ask your professor if an older edition of your textbook will suffice.
7. Buy alternative editions: Instructor's editions can be found cheaper than student editions. International textbook editions often contain identical content, yet are sold at lower prices than U.S. editions.
8. Search for great offers: Know who has the best "add-on" deals to save the most money overall. Two examples include Amazon's free two-day shipping for students and Half.com's 10 percent off textbooks coupon.
9. Forget ebooks: Ebooks might seem to be cheaper alternatives; however, they cannot be resold once the semester is over. In the long run, traditional textbooks often have more value.
10. Plan to sell: Keep your textbooks in good condition so you can easily sell your textbooks at the end of the semester.

"Direct Textbook is a completely free way for students to find the lowest-priced textbooks, compare special offers and coupons, sign up for textbook price alert notifications, sell their textbooks for a good price and even get cash back," said MacArthur. "We're thrilled to have helped more than 20 million parents and students save millions of dollars on textbooks to-date, and we look forward to continuing to help make college more affordable for everyone."

In addition to being a one-stop shop for college textbook savings, Direct Textbook offers an iPhone app for mobile textbook price comparison and offers additional textbook savings tips on its blog at directtextbook.com/blog.

For more information, visit www.directtextbook.com.

Since 2002, Direct Textbook has helped more than 20 million parents and students search more than 200 online bookstores for new, used, rental and ebook textbooks, saving them money and time.

Media Contact:
Megan Lindgren
Communications Coordinator
503-779-4056

SOURCE Direct Textbook