International Edition College textbooks

[MannyIsGod]

I've purchased an international edition of a textbook before but I wanted to see if anyone here has ever had any bad experiences with doing this. Previously I purchased a book that would have cost me 300 bucks for the US version for about 70 from an international retailer for the international version. The only difference in the books was that the international version was paperback and said international edition on the cover. Otherwise the exact same book.

I'm wanting to do it again this semester because my books are super expensive this semester and I'd rather not pay that much if I can avoid it.

So, has anyone ever gotten an international version that completely sucked?

[tlongII]

You're 38 years old and you're still not done with college? What's up with that?

[MannyIsGod]

Woah Woah Woah Woah now.

I'm not even close to 38 years of age.

[Sense]

30, 38... it's all the same

[Jacob1983]

30=38?

[TDMVPDPOY]

wat course are you studying?

ever tried photocopyin whole book? but only take it out when u need it so you dont get caught? tried stealing someone else copy? :D

[Drachen]

I've purchased an international edition of a textbook before but I wanted to see if anyone here has ever had any bad experiences with doing this. Previously I purchased a book that would have cost me 300 bucks for the US version for about 70 from an international retailer for the international version. The only difference in the books was that the international version was paperback and said international edition on the cover. Otherwise the exact same book.

I'm wanting to do it again this semester because my books are super expensive this semester and I'd rather not pay that much if I can avoid it.

So, has anyone ever gotten an international version that completely sucked?

Unless you are the first school making the first run with the books, buy them used. Amazon, Half, Google for cryin out loud. Do like I did and get that 205 dollar book at 80 dollars NEW by just doing a little work (could have gotten it for 60 used, but I figured I could sell this new one for 60 bucks and come out ahead). You can even find retailers that will sell you the pdfs of books at 60 a pop.

[Soul_Patch]

Buying international books supports Al Queda.

[MannyIsGod]

Unless you are the first school making the first run with the books, buy them used. Amazon, Half, Google for cryin out loud. Do like I did and get that 205 dollar book at 80 dollars NEW by just doing a little work (could have gotten it for 60 used, but I figured I could sell this new one for 60 bucks and come out ahead). You can even find retailers that will sell you the pdfs of books at 60 a pop.


I'm well aware of used books but used books still cost more than a lot of international editions. For instance, the one time I've purchased one was for a biology course and the book new was 300 dollars for the US edition. Used I saw a lot for 200 ish range and a few around 150.

The international version that I ended up buying I got for 70 bucks through abebooks and it was brand new with the CD that came with the book. 70 fucking bucks compared to 300 bucks for the exact same book except the international version had a paperback cover.

Thats why I asked if anyone had any bad experiences with international books and not about used books.

[Drachen]

Ok, my bad. I should have just answered the question. I really don't have any experience with international books. Have you tried the PDF route, or do you prefer hard copy? For the really expensive ones, perhaps you could try renting them, unless you want to keep your books after you graduate.

[MannyIsGod]

I really prefer a hard copy. I've done ebooks before and while they're convienent in a lot of ways (one less book to carry around) they're also a pain in the ass. That being said I'd probably give it a shot to avoid paying for a few of the books I'm having to get this semester.

I'm looking at over a grand in books. FML.

And I don't mind the advice on used books, you had no way of knowing what I knew about them. I appreciate the help.

[Drachen]

Well I just started my Grad program, I am about to finish my first class next week, and I have people in my class that are paying retail at the UTSA book store complaining about the cost of books and it just blows my mind. You would think that people who have made it through a bachelor's program and are now pursuing the Master's would have picked up a few tricks along the way, especially in a business program.

Thus, the reason I assumed you didn't know about it. LOL.

Blows my mind.

BTW, I like PDFs for the searchability, but I think I may end up keeping my textbooks for reference. Haven't decided yet.

[tlongII]

You can't use a highlighter on PDF's. Well....not easily anyway.

[Shelly]

Manny--I know some places rent books. I saw on the news the other day that UTSA was renting some of them. Is that an option at your school?

[MannyIsGod]

AFAIK, UNM doesn't rent any books. I know there are companies on the net that do it so I guess I should look into that.

[Drachen]

You can't use a highlighter on PDF's. Well....not easily anyway.

There is a company called AnyBiz and if you like them on facebook, you can get their PDF to Word Converter for free. Additionally, you can DL a lot of free pdf editors nowadays.

[Drachen]

Just so you know, I looked into it and I found the books to rent at about $60 a semester per book.