Apparently, now students can rent textbooks from our bookstore.There’s even an advertisement in the newspaper today about it. Thisseems like a scam to us. (Good thing we’re not reliant on our ad revenue.)So we’d like to take a moment to consider who really benefits fromrenting textbooks versus buying them.When you rent a textbook, you pay about half of the price of the newtextbook. You pick up your textbook at the bookstore, and pay for thesemester up front. If you’re the type to never pick up a book again afteryou used it in a class, this could be a good option for you. But there area few problems with renting. First of all, if you highlight or write in thebook at all, you won’t be able to return it, and you’ll pay the full price forit. Second, if you forget to send the book back at the end of the rental period,you’ll own it. And third, there are many other better, cost-efficientways to get your textbooks.If you want the new textbook (for many language courses that includeCDs and workbooks, this may be necessary), try checking amazon.comin other English-speaking countries. Textbooks are often less expensiveoverseas. Used textbooks, however, offer the best discounts. Obviously,at college bookstores, the used books are always offered at a discount.But a better discount is found online. Half.com, amazon.com, textbooks.com, campusbooks.com, greentextbooks.com, bookfinder.com, andvalorebooks.com are a few of the sites that offer generously discountedtextbooks. Just make sure you have the correct edition, and go for it.And you know what? You’ll end up purchasing the book, oftentimes, forabout as much as you would pay for renting it.If you’re an English major, go to the library (though you’ll want to getthere before everyone else in your class) for your novels. Even if you’renot an English major, try the university library for your text anyway-you’d be surprised at how many random books they have available. Youcan also try e-textbooks-though not everything is available, if it is,you’ll have an environmentally sound way to study at a major discount.But remember, the other benefit rental textbooks don’t offer is the optionto re-sell your textbooks. While campus bookstores do not offer aparticularly good buyback exchange, plenty of online stores do.By buying and then reselling, you’ll most likely be better off financiallythan renting a textbook. And in the meantime, you can write in yourtextbook all you want.At least it’s worth considering your other options, before you give in tothe ad campeign