09-04-2010 at 09:05 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 112
Thanked:
10 Times
Liked:
14 Times
|
international textbooks
Hey, just wondering if international versions of textbooks are worth purchasing.. the descriptions say they're only a little different from US version.. but I would like to get some opinions on this.. they are way less expensive that i know.. but should I take the gamble and get an international version vs. the US version?
thanks in advance
__________________
Cynthia
Honours Bio (Physiology)
|
09-04-2010 at 10:13 PM
|
#2
|
J's Prince
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 773
Thanked:
150 Times
Liked:
607 Times
|
Wondering this too...is it just the cover thats different?
|
09-04-2010 at 10:28 PM
|
#3
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,412
Thanked:
152 Times
Liked:
339 Times
|
Yeah, I've both 2 international textbooks so far (2di4 and 2fh3) and both had the exact same material. Usually the seller will state if the content is identical. Only difference is software, different ISBN, and different front cover. Sometimes paper quality is not that great either.. however, most of the time you will save ~100$ per book
__________________
Electrical Engineering Alumni
|
09-05-2010 at 12:27 AM
|
#4
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 30
Thanked:
6 Times
Liked:
2 Times
|
Content-wise, international Edition of textbooks contain exactly the same material as the normal textbooks. (as long as they're the same edition etc.) In some cases, there are differences, but they are negligible.
The legal status however is a gray area.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/21/us...-overseas.html
There is a stipulation that you cannot sell International Editions in the U.S. or Canada. However, a U.S. Supreme Court decision a few years ago basically ruled that that stipulation is unenforceable. I'm not sure what the legal status of international editions is in this country.
http://www.associatedcontent .com/a...l.html ?cat=3
|
09-05-2010 at 05:41 AM
|
#5
|
Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 50
Thanked:
1 Time
Liked:
Liked 3 Times
|
all my textbooks in my second year were international edition textbooks and they were the exact same, and some sellers even provided solution manuals which you dont get a hand on to often.
the main differences between the textbook you would purchase at titles and an international edition textbook are:
- intl edition is always softcover, pages my be different and it might be black and white
- CONTENT IS THE EXACT SAME BUT MAKESURE TO READ THE SELLERS DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK
- INTL IS WAYY CHEAPER
|
09-05-2010 at 10:28 AM
|
#6
|
Cla$$y Lady
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 763
Thanked:
37 Times
Liked:
103 Times
|
I just ordered one on ebay and the seller stated that the content is the same, however the pictures may be black and white, and the size of the textbook may differ. I contacted him and asked if page numbers and question numbers all matched up with the US versions and he said yes... its still on its way in the mail so we'll see
EDIT: with this one I'll be saving $135
__________________
-- Have you ever been apart of something That you thought would never end? --
|
09-05-2010 at 10:55 AM
|
#7
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,412
Thanked:
152 Times
Liked:
339 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Melanieee
I just ordered one on ebay and the seller stated that the content is the same, however the pictures may be black and white, and the size of the textbook may differ. I contacted him and asked if page numbers and question numbers all matched up with the US versions and he said yes... its still on its way in the mail so we'll see
EDIT: with this one I'll be saving $135
|
Yeah, first thing make sure to compare with someone who has the US edition. If the seller did lie to you, contact eBay/the seller and get a refund.
__________________
Electrical Engineering Alumni
|
09-05-2010 at 05:08 PM
|
#8
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 12
Thanked:
0 Times
Liked:
0 Times
|
Hey guys,
here are just some ways I have used to save 1000s of dollars on textbooks/course material during university (I just graduated):
-abebooks.com (highly recommended; I saved at least 100 bucks on one hardcover book by buying a softcover version for about $25 available in asia..mostly soft cover versus hardcover @ Titles, but content-wise, I haven't found one that's different from required version for a course **note: iif it's for 1st term, you may still have time, but try to order books 1-2weeks in advance so you'll get them just when school term begins. So for 2nd term, I would order the required text anytime throughout first term to get in before xmas)
-bookfinder4u.com
-share textbooks with friends (and lecture notes/crib sheet/solutions manual of course)
-Mac's bookswap site
-borrow the text from library and just renew
-use reserved text from library if you just need to do some short reading or book is needed for reference
Hope these tips help!
-Chris
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
McMaster University News and Information, Student-run Community, with topics ranging from Student Life, Advice, News, Events, and General Help.
Notice: The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the student(s) who authored the content. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by McMaster University or the MSU (McMaster Students Union). Being a student-run community, all articles and discussion posts on MacInsiders are unofficial and it is therefore always recommended that you visit the official McMaster website for the most accurate up-to-date information.
|