Where to find cheap books

Today’s question “What are the options for getting cheap books in Boca?” comes from a broke young FAU student who needs some guidance.

I did some research and here are tips for where to get cheap books in Boca. I’m going into my third year at FAU so I threw in my own personal experiences as well.

1) FAU Campus Bookstores
All FAU campus bookstores are operated by Barnes & Noble. While the selling prices are more towards the high side for purchasing books, you can make some fast cash if you sell them back. Just be sure to sell to your books back quickly – as time passes the amount of money they pay will decrease depending on stock.

To make your life easier, you can also order and reserve books online at http://fau.bncollege.com.

2) Multicultural Affairs Book Loan Program
The Multicultural Affairs office sponsors a book loan program for students who are “financially unable to purchase books.” The books offered are mostly general education books and are issued on a first come basis and dependent upon availability.

There are special dates before each term when the book loan program is available. These dates will be posted on the MA office door as soon as they are decided. Currently the dates have no yet been posted. If you’re interested, continue to check the MA web site and call the office for updates. And if you plan to go the day the books are available, make sure you go at 5 a.m. or you will miss out. Trust me, by 8:30 a.m. there’s nothing left.

For more information, visit the Multicultural Affairs web site at http://www.fau.edu/ma/services.htm or call (561) 297-3959. /services.htm

3) Beat the Bookstore
Beat the Bookstore’s motto, “we buy for more and sell for less” is actually true. At Beat the Bookstore you can sell your books and work up credit towards the purchase of new books. Although the owners will write you a check if you can’t find anything new to buy, they urge you to leave the money in your account as credit for “next time.” So, if you want to just sell your books back for fast cash, this is not the place to go.

While the store has a great selection of general education books, since this location is fairly new and they rely strongly on students selling books back, they might not have everything you need. But owners say to be patient because the selection will grow with time.

Beat the Bookstore is located at 1501 NW Boca Raton Blvd. For more information, call (561) 392-9495.

4) BOOKSMART
At BOOKSMART you can buy and sell your books back separately. You can sell your books back at one side and buy more on the other, no strings attached. This store has a great selection and offers everything the FAU bookstore does, plus more office supplies. The Boca location also has a great selection of medial textbooks.

Personally, I think BOOKSMART has the best prices for buying books. You save about $2 to $5 on every book compared to the FAU bookstore prices. Yet, I think FAU gives you more cash back when selling.

BOOKSMART is located at 670 Glades Rd. For more information, call (561) 394-6085.

5) Start a Book Exchange Program
If all else fails, start up a book exchange program on your own. A friend of mine is looking into starting up a book-donating exchange program for the education department where you donate a book and take another one home. Apparently education books don’t come cheap. Then again, do any textbooks?

Contact Education Advisor at Joe Waters at (561) 297-3570 if you’re interested in getting involved. In fact, if you’re interested in starting a book exchange program within your college, he urges you to go talk to an advisor.

I will be accepting questions here as comments or you can e-mail them to me directly at mboyet@gmail.com. I want to hear from you, so please send me your questions.