The Complete Buyer's Guide

How to buy second-hand textbooks and save 40-70% on your university books

📚 15 min read • Last updated: January 2025

In This Guide

Before You Buy Searching Effectively Evaluating Book Condition Understanding Pricing Contacting Sellers Safe Campus Meetups Completing the Transaction Troubleshooting Common Issues

Before You Buy

Buying second-hand textbooks can save you thousands of Rands each semester, but success starts with proper preparation. Before diving into the marketplace, you need to know exactly what you're looking for.

        🎯 Essential Information to Gather
        
            Title: The title of the textbook on the cover page
          
            Edition: Make sure you're getting the correct
            edition (usually the latest)
          
            Version: Helps you search by version
          
            Author & Title: Full names to avoid confusion with
            similar books
          
            New Price: Know the retail price to evaluate
            savings

Check with Your Lecturer First

Before purchasing any textbook, confirm with your lecturer whether:

The previous edition is acceptable (could save you even more)
International editions are allowed (usually identical content, different cover)
The book is absolutely required or just recommended

Searching Effectively on Amber

The Amber app offers multiple ways to find your textbooks. Here's how to search like a pro:

1. Title Search

Search the whole Amber textbook database for textbooks with similar names:

Use the title exactly as on the cover
If you make a spelling mistake, the search should still result in the correctly intended search

2. Store Browse

Amber automatically sorts all textbooks with the same title into the same category. In the store screen, try looking for:

The textbook title you are looking for
The version of the textbook you are looking for

Evaluating Book Condition

Understanding book conditions is crucial for making informed purchases. Here's what each condition means:

Brand New

No visible wear, highlighting, or notes. Looks unused. Expect to pay 60-70% of retail price.

As New

Minimal wear, possibly light highlighting. All pages intact. Usually 50-60% of retail.

Second-Hand

Moderate highlighting/notes, some wear on cover. Fully readable. Typically 40-50% of retail.

What to Look for in Photos

Cover condition: Check for major damage or water stains
Spine integrity: Ensure it's not falling apart
Inside pages: Look for excessive highlighting or missing pages
Edition verification: Confirm it's the correct edition

Understanding Pricing

Second-hand textbook prices typically follow these patterns:

Book Age	Condition	Expected Price
Current Edition	Like New	60-70% of retail
Current Edition	Good	40-50% of retail
Previous Edition	Any	20-40% of retail
International Edition	Any	30-50% of retail

Contacting Sellers

Good communication sets the stage for a smooth transaction. Here's how to message sellers effectively:

📱 Message Template

"Hi! I can meet at [Location] on [Day] at [Time]. Let me know if this suits you. Thanks!"

Safe Campus Meetups

Safety should always be your top priority. Follow these guidelines for secure exchanges:

✅ Recommended Meetup Locations

Library Entrance

Well-lit, security cameras, always populated

Student Union

Central location, indoor option, busy area

Campus Security Office

Safest option for high-value books

Cafeteria/Food Court

Public space, seating available, daytime hours

🚫 Places to Avoid

Residence rooms or private apartments
Parking lots (especially at night)
Off-campus locations
Isolated areas of campus

Completing the Transaction

When you meet the seller, follow this checklist to ensure a successful exchange:

📋 Transaction Checklist

Verify the book: Check the title and condition thoroughly
Inspect condition: Flip through pages, check for damage or missing content
Scan QR code: Use Amber app to verify the transaction by scanning the QR on the buyers phone from the Amber App Chat
Get confirmation: The app provides digital confirmation that the transaction has gone through

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Seller Doesn't Show Up

If a seller misses the meeting:

Wait 15 minutes and send a follow-up message
Check for communication issues
If the seller does not show up or communicate within a day, contact support

Book Condition Worse Than Described

If the book doesn't match the listing:

Point out discrepancies politely
Walk away if severely misrepresented
Report dishonest listings to support, take a photo of the textbook brought to the meet-up to send to support and receive a refund

Wrong Edition or Book

Always verify:

Check title, edition, version or year on copyright page
Compare with your book list
Don't take the textbook if the listing differs from the textbook brought to the transaction. Take a photo of the book and contact support for a refund