Is Renting Books on Amazon Worth It?

Renting books on Amazon has become an increasingly popular way for students to access textbooks at a fraction of the cost. With Amazon’s Prime Student program, students can also take advantage of free two-day shipping, making it an even more attractive option. But is renting books from Amazon worth it?

The biggest advantage to renting from Amazon is definitely the cost savings. Buying a new or used book for a class can cost anywhere from $50-$200 depending on the subject and book type. Renting from Amazon can cut that cost in half or more, meaning that students have more money for other educational items like supplies or study materials. In addition, since textbooks are only rented for the duration of the class, there’s no need to find a buyer when the course is finished because you simply return the book when you’re done with it.

However, there are some drawbacks to renting books from Amazon. One of them is that you don’t actually own the book and so you won’t be able to keep it after your course ends. This means that if you want to refer back to certain sections of your textbook in future courses or use it as a reference, you won’t be able to do so unless you rent it again (which might not be possible). Additionally, if you forget to return your rental before its due date, then you could be charged additional fees which could be costly.

Conclusion:

Overall, renting books on Amazon may be worth it depending on your individual circumstances. If you only need the book for one semester and don’t plan on keeping it afterwards then renting can be an affordable option that saves you money. However, if you think that you might need access to the book in future semesters then buying may be a better option.