By Amber Adams

With prices ranging from $50 to over $100, the money spent on buying new textbooks can quickly add up. And many campus bookstores quickly run out of used book options. Still recovering from book sticker shock? Fear not! Here are four tips for snagging next semester’s books for cheap.

Start Early

Time is money. When your semester schedule is set, find out what books are needed for class by e-mailing the instructor. Verify the title of the text, the author’s name and the book’s ISBN number (found on the bar-code of the book). Ask the instructor if they have any textbook specifications such as a required edition of the book. They will know if you can get away with using a cheaper, older edition, versus shelling out top dollar for the newer one.

Vintage can also apply to books

In college, the notion of a used anything takes on a different connotation, especially textbooks. Search the shelves of local, used bookstores to see if they have books you need. Required classics for English classes can often be found for a lot less than you would pay for them new. You can often trade your old textbooks in at these stores for store-credit. Check these stores early: copies of books are usually in limited supply.

Comparison shop on the web

These days you can buy everything online and textbooks are no exception. Many sites exist that connect college students around the country on their quest to find cheap, used, textbooks. Note the retail prices of books you need at the campus store first. These are the numbers you want to beat. On Web sites such as Ebay’s Half.com and Amazon.com’s textbook section you can search for all of your textbooks at once using the ISBN. The search engine at Deal Oz.com will search hundreds of online booksellers for you. Double-check the edition numbers, read any seller reviews, and make sure you allow enough time for shipping.

Eliminate the middle-man; spread good book karma

Why not sell to and buy books from your peers? Print up fliers advertising what books you have for sale and what books you need. Post them around your campus in the cafeteria, on bulletin boards, and in the library. Include your e-mail address and the price you want to charge for the books. Include a list of books you need. Using colored printer paper can be a cheap way to get your classmates’ attention. Or even post it as a note on facebook or on your status.