I wish Bookrenter was around when I went to college. Allowing students to rent books instead of buy them, Bookrenter appears a great alternative with a promise to save 50% off the retail price on average. You simply choose the books you need, have them sent to you, rent for 1-4 months, and then ship them back for free. They say all books are shipped in "like new" condition, so you don't have to worry about missing pages or a torn apart binding. It's that easy and the site appears quite reputable with a Better Business Bureau reliability certificate, as well as partnerships with prestigious colleges such as Santa Clara University, Colorado State, Chapman and Washing University.
"Founded in 2004, BookRenter.com is the first online book rental service. BookRenter.com replaces traditional bookstore sales with online book rentals for students at schools nationwide. Our flexible rental periods and hassle free return process save our customers an average of 50% off retail. Our wide title selection, speedy delivery, and intuitive interface offer unparalleled convenience."
It is hard to think of any downside to a website that saves you time and money -- and lots of money at that. College textbooks are often mere accessories that drain the bank account and sit on a shelf years after use; to create a business allowing you to rent these books for short term and then get them out of your sight is a fantastic and ingenious idea with little to no down side.
Are they going to continue their quest for college partnerships? Are they running into interference from college bookstores, who may rely on these sales for profits? Have they considered posting customer reviews on the home page to instantly make people feel at ease with the service? What kind of profits are they making?
