buying used college textbooks....access codes????

I just finished 5 1/2 yrs and never needed an access code. I rented every single book I possibly could, then bought used. And frankly I would wait until she has been to the class because many times my professors in both undergrad and grad school didn't want us to buy the text or would change it. As a type A, trust me it was hard to adjust to this "last minute" book aquisition, but it will save you a ton of money.

Your daughter should be buying her textbooks, not you.

That said, she won't know if her professors want the students to access the online information provided through the access codes until she has her syllabus in hand. And maybe not until she hears what he/she has to say in the first class meeting.

Most access codes give access to a website with a variety of supplemental information and activities - not simply an e-version of the text. Textbook companies want to give extra value to the books, so provide guides, activities, etc., online.

Personally, I'd have her buy new books for her first semester, if she feels the need to buy books this early. Then in future semesters she will have a better idea if the profs at her university typically want students to access the online info. There is no point in skimping on book costs in college if it puts you at a disadvantage for doing the best you possibly can.

I would wait to buy your books. We had two problems with used textbooks and access codes. One was for DS where the bookstore who supplied the textbook list didn't mention that the professor required an access code so DS purchased a used book. When he tried to exchange the book for a new one (used + access code more expensive than new book), the bookstore wanted to charge him a restocking fee. For other DS, we purchased used and found out on the first day of school that he needed an access code. By then, the bookstore ran out of new books and we were stuck with purchasing the code separately. The cost ended up being about the same had we just purchased a new book from the get go.

I am back in school. Definitely wait to buy your textbooks. Also, my experience has been you can buy the access code with a link from the professor.

DS hasn't had to use access codes yet - but he's just now starting his 3rd semester. 

I use Chegg, Amazon and I have also had really good luck with ebay. I have bought a couple from the used college bookstore near our university, but reselling them is an absolute joke with them. I am currently saving all of DS's books for when DD starts at the same school in a year, or any of our friends kids who need them - they are for core classes, so not degree specific. 

When it's time to sell I'll most likely sell them on ebay.

We get ours through Amazon and I use my Prime account.  I rent them.  He does all of the research and I order them and he sends them back.  I am paying for college (my dad left me money) and that includes books.

My parents were extremely thrifty with many things.  However, I knew that college was an expectation and doing well was also.  My parents paid for mine and maybe I was the exception, but I worked my ass off and graduated in 3.5 years.  My son entered college with 35 credits (from high school) and began his freshman year as a sophomore with all of the easier classes finished.  Kids are all different and each parent has to know their kid and what is best for them.  I will be forever thankful that my parents could provide for me and that I didn't have college loans to pay back on a beginning teacher's salary.  And to be honest, I could not order one of his books on my own if I tried.  I do not know what differential equations are.  Most of his books look like coloring books to me.    

Why is this necessary? Did it make
You feel Better to offers judgement and unsolicited parenting advice? Ugh.

I offered the advice as someone who has taught college and grad school since 1989 and am speaking from that perspective.  I've seen too many kids bomb out because they didn't take responsibility for the mechanics/logistics of their courses - including obtaining textbooks.

People give this advice all. the. time. here on a variety of issues that parents bring here trying to solve for their college-aged kids.  But if it makes you feel better to slap my hand, more power to you! Ugh.

This. I mean WTF? The whole let your kids do it on 2ps gets old. I always found oldest DD's books. I got the best prices, always did it ahead of time. never ANY problems. My dd doesn't have the time, the want, or patience to do it. I'm her mother. I can help. I like to find good deals. It's not the end of the world. And guess what??? she grad'd last may from college and now has a full time salaried position. I don't know how she was able to do it with me ordering her books for her.

Now my youngest, she goes to a college that actually does it FOR HER!!! wow. I don't know how she's going to make it.