Are you only able to order textbooks and courseware online, or can you just provide a list, go into the store and get them that way? If so, are there advantages to either method?

Your best bet is to wait for class...then see exactly what you need. Then look for used books from upper year students. If you buy all of your books from the campus store you could easily spend over $1000

Edit: Also you may hear different things because the Campus store has changed its policies a lot in the last few years. I didnt even know you could order them online. Normally there are piles and piles of textbooks. You wait in line for a long time then go to each of the piles, pick up a book, and then fork out $100-$300 for each textbook ... each semester

Originally Posted by Neon14

Are you only able to order textbooks and courseware online, or can you just provide a list, go into the store and get them that way? If so, are there advantages to either method?

You can buy the books online or in store - it is up to you.

Online - Pro
No waiting in line - you can order now and pick up your books when you get to Campus with the Click & Collect service - https://campusstore.mcmaster. ca/te...d-collect.html

Online Con
We are still receiving orders from Profs so the booklist changes every day. You may have to order more than once. The closer to first class the more complete the bookslist.

Online con - if there are only a few copies of a book left in stock you will have to come in a get your book anyway. Why? We set a stock "buffer" on the website when books are low in stock so we have chance to fulfill the web orders we have in the system before everything is bought off the shelves.

Shopping in person - Pro
We actually recommend that you wait until your first class. While it is rare last minute changes can happen. Sections may get split, new Profs may be added and they may chose different books. You may even decide you don't want to take the course.
Go to your first class, talk to your instructor, ask them how heavily they rely on the text you may find that you don't need every book on the list.

Pro - when you shop in person you can charge to your student account. You have a $1500 credit limit - https://campusstore.mcmaster. ca/in...-accounts.html

Shopping in person - Con
You will have to line up to get into the textbook section however if you avoid rushing to the store as soon as class let's out (come about 20 minutes before classes let out) it does move quickly.
Print out your booklist before you come to the store so you don't have to wait for a staff member to look up what you need.


Tips for buying books - https://campusstore.mcmaster. ca/in...erial-faq.html

You can get books many ways. Yes you can go print a listing of all textbooks you need and get them at the store. (Fastest method. Get a listing by going to the campus store website > Textbook Listings)

I got MOST of my books second-hand. Books from the store are expensive as heck. Ridiculous even. Go to the marketplace > textbooks and look there or check facebook groups. Pretty sure Mac has a textbook buy/sell group.