Maya Chen
As of December 2022, Amazon has discontinued its textbook rental program, which previously offered a flexible and affordable way to access print and digital textbooks. While Amazon no longer rents textbooks, there are alternative platforms that offer textbook rentals, such as BookScouter, Knetbooks, and eCampus. These platforms provide short-term, quarter, and semester rental options, as well as free shipping and flexible return policies. It's important to note that renting textbooks can still be expensive, and buying used books or ebooks might be more cost-effective in some cases.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amazon textbook rentals | Discontinued as of April 1, 2023 |
| Rental duration | Semester, quarter, and short term |
| Alternatives | BooksRun, Knetbooks, eCampus |
| Returning rentals | Return on or before the due date; obtain a receipt from the carrier |
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What You'll Learn
Finding and selecting a book
To rent a book on Amazon, you will need an Amazon account. You can then use the Amazon Rentals website to find and select a book to rent.
To search for a book, enter its ISBN, title, or author in the text box at the centre of the Amazon Rentals page. Once you have found the book you want to rent, click on the product detail page, where you will see a circular "Rent" button. Make sure that the “Rent” button is selected, then check the due date of the rental and click "Add to Cart".
You will then be prompted to sign into your account and enter your payment information. Be sure to check that the due date works for you before completing your order.
Note that Amazon does not offer rentals of print textbooks. As of July 1, 2025, new digital textbook rentals and extensions will no longer be offered.
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Understanding the due date
As of December 2022, Amazon has discontinued its textbook rental program. However, here is some information about understanding the due date of a book rental on Amazon, for reference:
When renting a book on Amazon, it is important to understand the due date to avoid late fees. The due date is the final date by which you must drop off your package for return shipping. This date can be found on the product detail page, and you should carefully review it before clicking the "Rent" button and adding the book to your cart.
The "return by" date is crucial, as returning the book after this date will result in late fees. Amazon may automatically extend your rental if the carrier does not list the package as "in-transit" by the due date. However, it is always best to ship the book back as soon as possible to avoid extra charges.
Most semester rentals allow plenty of time after final exams. You can return your books in the same box they were delivered in, and it is recommended to keep the original box for this purpose. You can also ship multiple items in one box, as long as the Amazon-provided packing slip lists each book being returned.
Always remember to get a receipt from the return carrier, such as UPS. This receipt will be useful if there are any delays in the package being reported as "in-transit." In case of any overcharges or discrepancies, contact Amazon's customer service, who are usually accommodating in checking the shipping status and providing refunds for extensions or late fees.
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Signing in and payment
As of December 2022, Amazon has discontinued its textbook rental program. However, here is a general guide on how to sign in and make a payment for Amazon textbook rentals, in case the service is reinstated.
- Go to the Amazon Rentals website and sign in to your Amazon account.
- Once you have found the book you want to rent, click on its product detail page.
- Click the "Rent" button and check that it is selected.
- Note the due date of the rental and click "Add to Cart".
- Follow the on-screen prompts to enter your payment information and complete your order.
Tips
- You can extend your rental by going to the "Manage Your Rentals" page on the Amazon website.
- You can choose to take the rental to an Amazon Pickup location or to a parcel service such as UPS.
- Print the pre-paid shipping label and packing slip provided.
- To avoid late fees, make sure you drop off your package before the "return by" date.
- Get a receipt from the return carrier.
- Contact Amazon's customer service if you are overcharged.
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Returning the book
Returning a rented book on Amazon is a straightforward process. Firstly, it is important to note that digital textbook rentals automatically expire at the end of the rental term, and there is no need to return them. However, for physical book rentals, there are a few simple steps to follow.
Firstly, it is recommended to keep the original box that the books were delivered in, so that you can reuse it when returning the books. This saves time and effort in finding another suitable box. You can send multiple items in the same box, as long as the Amazon-provided packing slip lists each book being returned.
Next, print the pre-paid shipping label and packing slip provided. If you are unable to print at the time of the return request, the label can be emailed to you for later printing. Place the packing slip inside the box, and affix the shipping label to the outside of the box.
Finally, you can drop off the package at a parcel service like UPS or an Amazon pick-up location. Returning items to a local Amazon Pickup location will result in the item being marked as "returned" in your account faster than with other carriers. There is no need to pay extra shipping charges for returning Amazon book rentals, and you can return multiple books in the same box.
It is important to mail your return on or before the "return by" date to avoid late fees. The "return by" date is the deadline for dropping off the package for shipping, not the date by which Amazon needs to receive the package. Always remember to get a receipt from the return carrier, as you may need it if there is a delay in the time your item is reported as "in-transit".
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Alternatives to Amazon
Amazon offers a convenient way to rent books, but there are several alternatives to the platform for those looking to broaden their horizons.
For physical books, your local independent bookstore is always a great option. If you're looking to save money, your local library is a fantastic free alternative, where you can borrow books, audiobooks, and ebooks.
If you're looking for ebooks specifically, Kindle is a popular choice, but its proprietary format can make it difficult to read Kindle books on other devices. Kobo is a great alternative, offering affordable ereaders and a large marketplace for buying ebooks, including free titles. Kobo also integrates with platforms like Libby and Overdrive for easy borrowing from your local library. Barnes & Noble also sells ebooks through its Nook platform and e-readers, though it also operates as a closed ecosystem.
Bookshop.org is another excellent alternative for those concerned about their environmental impact. The platform is Climate Neutral and Certified B Corp, and it directly supports independent bookstores. Bookshop.org functions like any other online bookstore, offering bestsellers, sections to browse, and specific titles to search for. It also has an ebook feature, though you will need the Bookshop.org ebook app to read them.
For audiobooks, Libro.fm is a fantastic option, allowing you to support local, independent bookstores while purchasing audiobooks. It offers DRM-free audiobooks, and you can buy audiobooks and credit bundles from anywhere in the world.
Other alternatives to Amazon include The StoryGraph, which provides a personalized and user-friendly way to track your reading, and Goodreads, a popular book-tracking social media platform.
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Frequently asked questions
Amazon has discontinued its print textbook rental program.
Amazon spent a lot of money on a TV show that didn't do well, so they are cutting costs.
You can try BookScouter, Knetbooks, BooksRun, or eCampus.
Yes, Amazon still offers books for purchase.
