Short Change

Arbitrage at the Westin in Whistler

2007-11-08T20:36:00.000-05:00

We are planning a February vacation to Vancouver to visit my sister. Wishing to get one day of skiing at Whistler in during our week on the west coast, we are trying to book a hotel or condo for two nights, midweek in February. Some folks recommended that we stay in the "Village" so I checked out the Westin in Whistler. At first their website explained that they had no availability but after I called, they explained that their smallest room, a Junior Suite is available for $599 a night. WOW!

My wife recommended that I try to use my SPG Starpoints. Unfortunately this year I have collected more Marriott Reward points due to my client's location. I learned something new by calling SPG:

Rooms are available on the nights I requested for 10,000 points
You can purchase points in 1000 increments for 35$

In other words, by buying points, I can get the same room for $350/night. The only difference is that the reservation for $600 would be refundable while if I changed my plans, I would have to keep the points.

To make things more attractive, I could risk the hotel "booking up" and apply for a Starwood AMEX netting 10,000 points in about 6 weeks, thereby savings an additional $350. Who said it will be less attractive for Americans to tour Canada with a weak US Dollar?

Poor marketing execution from Logitech and Skype

2007-11-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Recently, I bought a QuickCam from Logitech which boasted a 1.3Megapixel camera that I hoped would make the video calls between my infant daughter and her grandparents much clearer. I was concerned about the bandwidth of my Internet connection and the ability of my Instant Messenger Software to process the video.

On Monday, the Boston Globe reported that with Skype 3.6 and the latest Logitech drivers, you can achieve DVD quality video conferencing. It seems to be a great marketing program to:

Highlight Skype’s superior ability at calling (it can do more than a telephone!)
Promote new uses for spending more money on brand-name Logitech webcams (like I did)
Provide a real reason for people to buy a new computer with DualCore Processors other than

It will run faster
It will actually run Vista

Last night, I spent 1 hour installing the latest software, Skype Beta, rebooting and testing if the upgraded video worked. It is interesting that the Logitech site fails to promote these new features, while Skype promotes in plain (sic) English that you need

Skype Beta (free but a noticeably bigger download at 20 megs than the last version)
A Logitech high quality webcam (neglecting to mention that you need the latest drivers – Logitech update did not automatically install it for me)
380kb of Internet bandwidth (Does my 54.0 MBps from the 802.11g count, or do I need to worry about what the cable company plan?)
A dual core processor (preferably from Intel, Skype’s development partner)

Wow that seems easy enough – even with a background in semiconductors, I thought I could get this working. Well after an hour (on my wife’s non-DualCore laptop), it finally started to work – much slower and of course, not in a higher definition. Skype began flashing me ads that I should buy a DualCore computer from Intel (thanks Skype – I’ll go out and buy a new computer to use your software!). Nowhere on Skype or Logitech’s site is it noted that BOTH computers need DualCore processors.

Tonight, I was planning on wasting another hour to get it up and running on my Centrino Duo, but then I re-read the Globe article – BOTH computers need a DualCore processor. So now not only do I need to buy my wife a new computer, but I need to get my parents to buy a new computer. If only Skype had a revenue model to collect on new Intel processors, EBay would look smart right now! Instead, I just feel silly for wasting my time and slowing down another computer with software it can’t handle!

Free Coffee for the Fall

2007-09-05T14:17:00.001-04:00

Just in case you need some extra coffee around the house, Dunkin' Donuts is giving it away. Follow the link to score some beans. This offer could be related to those fancy orange bags you'll be seeing in supermarkets and drug stores through DD's recent deal with P&G for retail distribution (see this press release: link)

Free Copy of "What to Expect in the First Year"

2007-08-28T16:34:00.001-04:00

You can get a free copy of the book What to Expect in the First Year by following this link The free book is given out courtesy of Balmex. While supplies last.

Free Diapers

2007-07-01T16:03:00.001-04:00

Costco is offering its members free samples of their diapers by following this link
It looks like they looking for buyers of competing brands to give them feedback on their diaper's quality. Hopefully they'll be sending out a whole box for free. Currently, we are using Pampers but this is a perfect opportunity to try the Kirkland brand (which is manufactured by Huggies) to test them out. Let me know what you think.

Coupons For Home Improvement Stores

2007-05-21T21:13:00.001-04:00

With the summer approaching, the busy moving season is upon us. As a quick reminder, Home Depot and Lowes BOTH offer 10% off coupons for new movers at

http://www.homedepotmoving.com/
http://www.lowesmoving.com/

Home Depot will mail the coupon to your home address, while Lowes will send a coupon to your email to print. Home Depot and Lowes will match each other's coupons so you can bring the voucher to either store for redemption.

Like many consumers, I have been generally dissastisfied with the Home Depot's customer service; once I find an employee in an orange apron, they are extremely unhelpful and sometimes even recommend the wrong products. Whereas at Lowes, as I search the store, I am often stopped due to the constant bewildered look on my face and graciously offered help.

Free Samples of Airborne

2007-05-18T09:07:00.000-04:00

Airbone is offering free samples of its new Seasonal formula on its website.

Lately, I have been using Airbone most times I fly - more superstition than anything. I do wonder if it somehow hurts my body to ingest 10x the daily recommended amounts of some vitamins. Generic Airborne is available at CVS/Walgreens, but the best prices (and the largest travel-unfriendly containers) are available at Costco.

Free PDF Tool

2007-05-17T15:10:00.000-04:00

I think it’s worth highlighting a free pdf tool that I use regularly. PDF995 enables you to print document (Word, PowerPoint, Websites) into a Portable Document Format that can be read using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. While Adobe charges hundreds of dollars for their PDF writer, PDF995 is available for free if you sit through their ads.

PDF995 is especially handy when you need to save different files that are generated on the web like receipts, travel itineraries and articles of interest. One drawback of PDF995 is that the files are somewhat larger than those produced by Adobe.

Saving for College One Diaper at a Time

2007-05-11T13:21:00.000-04:00

The barganist highlighted Procter and Gamble’s website where you can sign up for coupons on diapers (link) and compared the expense to college tuition. Although Huggies are often cheaper and more heavily promoted, we are committed to Pampers since our daughter has consistently leaked through Huggies. So far we have found that

1) The best prices for Pampers are at Wal-mart, Target and even Babies R’ US. Pampers so go on sale in Target’s circulars and Babies R’ US has sent us 15% off diaper coupons in the mail.

2) Costco only carries Huggies and their private label Kirkland brand is made by Huggies. BJ’s stocks Pampers.

3) Local drug stores (CVS and Walgreens) and food stores (Stop & Shop and Shaw’s) have extremely poor prices for diapers (around 10$ for a pack of 80 or so diapers) and their promotions do not compete with the superior prices at Target/Babies R’ US.

Two other alternatives we have yet to consider are buying Luvs (P&G’s cheaper alternative to Pampers) and using Amazon.com. Although we normally buy everything in bulk and stock up, our daughter grows so fast that we find ourselves giving the smaller diapers away.

A Method for the Rebate Madness

2007-05-10T12:43:00.000-04:00

Firstly, I am pledge to write more often (even daily) now that my newborn daughter has turned three months.

Today’s WSJ highlighted the challenges with mail-in-rebates with a reported success rate of one in five rebates. I make extensive use of mail-in-rebates and have my share of horror stories, but generally do collect. Here is the fool-proof method:

Make sure that you have a copy of the rebate before you make a purchase.

Ensure that you have a phone number to call if there is a problem. Often these numbers are in fine print on the rebate form. Retailers are unlikely to be responsive if you have difficulties with the rebate.

Make photocopies of the UPC code, rebate form, bill and any other relevant information. Write the date on your copy.

Mail the rebate in ASAP after you have tested the product and ensure that you do not want to return or exchange it.

Lately, I have been purchasing electronic gear and accessories at buy.com, which promotes mail in rebates heavily. On occasion, I have had difficulty, but a phone call (which can take twenty-thirty minutes on hold) can resolve any misunderstanding.

Staples deserves a special mention as they have chosen to differentiate themselves by offering Easy Rebate, a program that makes the rebate process smoother. However, they seem to have less jaw-dropping deals as a result.

For a good blog with rebates, check out http://www.freeafterrebate.info/

EBay Lets Down Their Safeguards

2007-03-02T14:36:00.000-05:00

Last year for the holidays, I bought my wife a magazine subscription on EBay. The seller confirmed my purchase (and $70 Pay Pal payment) by stating that I needed to wait 8-10 weeks before receiving the magazine – which seems reasonable given that it takes a long time for subscriptions to get started, especially with a third party seller.

What irks me about Pay Pal is that each time I purchase an item, it defaults the payment to be funded from my bank account. Doing so means

I lose points from paying with my credit card
I lose all buyer protections offered by my credit card.

Pay Pal even goes so far as to remind you of their Buyer Protection Program when attempting to switch the funding on a transaction. There is no way to set your credit card as a default with Pay Pal (maybe opening a new account with just a credit card would work..!)

After ten weeks of patiently waiting, as instructed by the seller, I began to dispute the claim on the grounds that I did not receive the item. Luckily my third attempt worked:

EBay will not allow users to dispute a transaction after 60 days (also meaning I could noteven leave Negative feedback about the transaction to warn other potential buyers – one of the biggest features of EBay)
Pay Pal’s touted Buyer Protection Program expires after 45 days.
Luckily American Express (who I believe gives consumers 90 days to dispute a charge) took on the claim. They contacted Pay Pal and within 10 days I had a refund.

Bottom line is that you should never fund a Pay Pal transaction from a bank account, as there are no benefits to the consumer. Despite safeguards, some transactions on EBay are stacked against consumers. It would seem to me that they should either

Extend their protections for transactions that take longer than 60 days to process
Be more flexible with their policies based on the transaction.

Buyer Beware!

Tax Preparation Savings

2007-03-01T17:14:00.000-05:00

With tax season fast approaching, it is a good idea now to start those tax returns. I normally purchase tax preparation software at Costco, but noticed two great deals from financial services companies:

1) Save 35% off TurboTax Online with Fidelity
Check out: http://personal.fidelity.com/planning/tax/tax_content.shtml

Or for those folks who prefer Taxcut:
2) Save 35% off H&R Block's TaxCut when paying with your American Express card
http://www.americanexpressofferzone.com/selects/OfferDetail.aspx?oid=38862&

I trust that there are more discounts for online tax preparation out there. I have heard great things about online tools, including the ability to pay once you finish your return (so you can test both to determine which one best suits your needs before purchasing).

Two reasons why you should consider packaged software (i.e. in a box at Staples/Costco) over the online offerings:
1) Can you save money by mailing in your form from the packaged software? (i.e. are the e-file fees for both federal and state sufficiently high to make the online package less attractive?)
2) Do you need a new copy of Quicken/Money? Often large retail stores will have good Mail in Rebates if you purchase Quicken/Money with TurboTax/Taxcut.

Costco yanks generous return policy on electronics

2007-02-27T12:12:00.000-05:00

I am a big fan of Costco. Although they do not have the best selection, their products are top quality. If you want a 37" TV and are brand agnostic, their buyers’ choice will likely be a good reliable product at a reasonable price.

To sweeten the deal, Costco offered members the ability to return any product to their warehouse for any reason for a full refund (with the exception of computers with a six month limit on returns). Costco clerks have told me about some of the stuff people return – and they are obliged to take back (1/2 a carton of eggs and milk…). Wise consumers have advised me to purchase electronics at Costco, so that when they break (and mobile electronics always do), you can simply return them for a full refund, even years later. So my camcorder effectively comes with an automatic lifetime money-back guarantee.

Unfortunately, Costco is loosing money on these returns – too much money according to Wall Street analysts who have pressured the firm to change their policy. According to today’s WSJ Costco will limit refunds on electronics (televisions, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPods, other MP3 players and cellphones) to 90-days. Prior purchases are grandfathered into the older policy. So we all have up to five weeks to buy that HDTV with a lifetime money back guarantee before the new policy kicks in nationwide.

Save money through Ebates and Fatwallet

2007-02-22T19:00:00.000-05:00

Fatwallet (http://www.fatwallet.com) :
For the past year, I have been scouring Fatwallet for deals prior to making any online purchases. Fatwallet has user forums where members post information with coupon and promotional codes that you can use at various online retailers. Users also give advice on various financial and consumer matters from using airline miles, credit card offers and the best online money market accounts.

Some retailers partner with Fatwallet by offering promotions like 1-3% cash back by starting your purchase at Fatwallet. So for example, whenever I purchase items at buy.com, I close the browser, re-open it, sign into Fatwallet, search for buy.com and click on the link that brings me to buy.com. The purchase is tracked and the appropriate rebate is posted to my Fatwallet account and after a few months it is available as a check that Fatwallet sends out.

Ebates (http://www.ebates.com):
Similar to Fatwallet, Ebates offers more sponsored discounts from retailers like J&R and Home Depot. The site seems more official than FatWallet and has less user forum activity. However, it does have more retailers and I have been using more often lately. For example we bought a freezer from Home Depot this past weekend and instead of going in-store and hunting down a orange apron staffer, I ordered it online and saved myself an extra $15 or 3%. By starting your shopping at Ebates you can save hundreds of dollars a year at retailers you shop at regularly like Staples, Expedia and Apple.

To sign up on Ebates click on the link below and we'll both get $5 after your first purchase:
http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?id=32243704

Money vs Kiplinger's Personal Finance

2007-02-02T16:29:00.000-05:00

I have been a regular reader of Money magazine for about two years and have always wondered about their biggest competitor: Kiplinger's Personal Finance. Overall, I am looking for good investment ideas for retirement, savings, mutual funds and 529s - and generally Money delivers good value for my time.

Today, our family got a free subscription to Kiplinger's Personal Finance. My wife belongs to the MTA (Massachusetts Teachers Association), which is part of the NEA (National Education Association). Both unions have benefit websites and I found a free subscription offer to Kiplinger's for NEA members at http://www.neamb.com/featuredoffer3.jsp

After about six months of reading through both, please remind me to post my thoughts on which one suits my needs best.

Energy Efficient Fluorescent Light bulbs

2007-02-01T16:23:00.000-05:00

After a year-long hiatus, I have decided to get back into blogging and pledge to re-invigorate my site. My new goal is to post more often (multiple times a week) with new tips and ways to save money.

Over the past year, I have completed my MBA, started a new career and bought a house. So lots of things to review and I promise to get into the details.

Energy Efficient Fluorescent Light bulbs: For today, lets start with light bulbs. The WSJ has a report on fluorescents which draw less power than incandescent bulbs. These energy-efficient ones are spiral like instead of glass. Generally they draw up to one tenth the amount of power as a regular bulb. The WSJ reports one drawback is that folks generally dislike fluorescents’ glow giving your home an industrial feel. They point to n:vision available at Home Depot as one brand that has different styles including a soft bulb. Generally these lights will need to be replaced less often than traditional bulbs as well. I have noticed that they take an extra moment to fully illuminate but I have gotten used to it.

In our home, we use these wherever we can especially in the places we often forget to turn off the lights like the closet, basement and garage. The spiral look is somewhat awkward and “cheap” looking, but in these places or inside fixtures, no one knows the difference.

Two tips:

1) Don’t buy these energy saver lights for fixtures on a dimmer. They do not work with dimmer switches.

2) Costco has fantastic savings on compact fluorescent lights. Now they are running a sale in Massachusetts for about $3 you get four flood-type lights (R30 style). Costco used to have the regular type for 3$ but they have jumped up to $8. At Lowes and Home Depot, they have coupons in the aisles for $2-4 off energy saving bulbs.

Refer to: New Fluorescent Light Bulbs Aim for More-Natural Look, WSJ, 2/1/2007 Page D3

Student Travel – The Complete Guide to a cheap fare

2005-11-27T21:03:00.000-05:00

Going to Guatemala for G-lab? Taking part in a Trek to Thailand? As MBA students, we often forget the every expense matters and after we get our diploma, we will have to pay up to Mr. Citigroup or Ms. Sallie Mae. So in order to keep our costs down when booking, consider the following student travel agencies to complement the standard offerings from Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia.

StudentUniverse.com
Studentuniverse.com offers cut-rate airfares for students and faculty of college and university programs. To qualify for the fares, you need to first register with StudentUniverse and prove your status. According to their website, your SO or spouse may also qualify for fares as a part-time student if they are taking just one class.
Once qualified, you will be able to access some of the cheapest fares out there. On a recent comparison to Tokyo over IAP, StudntUniverse was over $500 cheaper than the same Northwest flights on Orbitz.

Bart Littlefield, SVP at Studentuniverse sweetened the deal even more by offering Sloanies up to $25 off their next flight by using the code below. He explaind that their fares are low because they have a online business model with no traditional brick and mortar shops. Their online booking tool contains all of their promotional fares so agents will be unable to find better deals than what is available online. Using studentuniverse.com may be a little more cumbersome as you may find really cheap flights to London, when you really want to go to Paris. The fares are sometimes so low that it justifies buying a studentuniverse fare to a stop-over point and buying another ticket from a competitor for the additional leg. Studentuniverse agents can not add segments together like a full-service agency.

TravelCuts
Although most students are familiar with STA Travel and their offices around Boston, few think of TravelCuts when booking their tickets. TravelCuts is a full service student travel agency with a handful of brick and mortar shops across the country. Building on their near monopoly student travel shops in Canada, they entered the US five years ago with a commitment to be price competitive. Most student fares through TravelCuts require the ISIC card to prove full-time student status which will set you back another $22.

Rob Becker of TravelCuts recommends that students get the most value out of their website when they book last minute flights, one-ways or trips without a Saturday night stay. He recommends that students look at all traditional and student-based travel sites; special offers (especially for domestic flights) may be promoted on non-student sites. However, Rob insists that students call their agents when booking overseas travel. He strongly believes that their creativity and intimate knowledge with student fares will allow their agents to help you find the optimal routing and fare for your trip. They can help find the cheapest gateway city with student fares and then add-on local flights to get you to your destination. Prices on their website may sometimes be lower than prices over the phone, so be sure to check online before booking.

Spouses of students may also be eligible for student fares when traveling with you. You should check the agent when booking to see if spouses can qualify.

Time is Money
To get the best deal, students should check each traditional online providers like Orbitz, Expedia, Priceline and Travelocity, but complement their search with studentuniverse, TravelCuts and STA Travel. For overseas travel, you should also call STA and TravelCuts agents who can help find the best stopovers and deals around.

Links:
STA Travel: www.statravel.com
Travelcuts: http://www.travelcuts.com/; Reservation Number 1-800-592-2887
Student Universe: http://www.studentuniverse.com/

Getting to NYC: Chinatown or Greyhound?
Earlier this year, the “Chinatown” buses that offer transportation to New York City for $10 came under scrutiny. Their vehicles have caught fire and were alleged to not comply with federal safety legislation, and their drivers have been accused of reckless driving. If you want to cheapest, but safest ticket to NYC, consider Peter Pan. Through Peter Pan’s website (not Greyhound’s), Mike Iger ’07 found that you can get safe bus service (on either carrier) for $18 one way. Check out http://peterpanbus.com/tkg/nyspecial.html for the details.

Credit Cards for the non-frequent flier: Are Miles worth it?

2005-11-05T21:03:00.000-05:00

There are two routes to take to accumulate airline miles: one for the frequent fliers and another for people collecting miles via their credit cards. For the non-fliers, have you ever evaluated if the miles are actually worth collecting? Read on so you don’t get short-changed.

Non-filers need to spend $25,000 to qualify for a free domestic ticket which is in addition to a $60 annual fee. Valuing airline miles at 1.4¢ that domestic ticket is worth $290, assuming you spend $25,000 in one year. If it takes longer to reach the threshold, the award is worth less.

Now, consider the probability of actually redeeming miles for a seat when you want it. Let’s not forget blackout dates and the precarious state of many airlines’ finances. Thus it becomes more difficult to actually use the miles than buying a similar ticket for about $300 (or possibly less). Think about your last trip – did it cost $290 or less? Most likely, you can get anywhere in this country for under $300 – so for domestic travel, cash payment should be the preferred option.

So, “what else can I get,” you ask. The basic options are either a reward program from a company you frequent or cash back. LL Bean, Fidelity, Amazon, Bloomingdales and buy.com are examples of retailers that offer increased incentives for users of their cards. The yardstick to use for comparison is a cash-back card. The two best ones on the market are the Citibank Dividend Platinum Select Card and American Express Blue Cash.

With these cards you receive 5% cash back on purchases at drugstores, supermarkets and gas stations and between 1-1.5% back on everything else. There are caveats: with Citibank there is a reward limit of $300, and with American Express the payouts only really start kicking in after your first $6000 of purchases. By evaluating your own spending habits you can easily chose the one that is right.

There are two other important factors to consider. International tickets are more expensive thus potentially shifting the preferred purchase option to miles. So if your goal is to travel to Sydney after graduation, the sixty-thousand mile reward on United may be more economical than a $1400 ticket. Seat availability on popular routes is severely restricted, causing many to reevaluate the actual usefulness of their miles. Second, consultants swear by the perks and benefits from the Starwood Rewards Program so if you believe their high priced advice you might consider this card from American Express. Either way, make an informed choice about what value your “reward” offers and don’t be Short Changed by the airline marketers.

Links:
Are Airline Miles Worth The Hassle? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9400672/

Citi Dividend Platinum Select Card http://www.citibank.com/us/cards/cardserv/divplat/index.jsp

American Express Blue Cash: https://www124.americanexpress.com/cards/loyalty.do?page=bluecash

The Steven Tour of Boston

2005-10-08T21:01:00.000-04:00

Settled back into Boston? Soon Mom, Dad and that pesky cousin Ned from Ohio will all be coming to visit with the expectation of sight-seeing in the nation’s most historic city. For the best and cheapest excursion, consider the Steven Tour of Boston; it costs a buck and a quarter, includes a boat tour and requires no prior knowledge of US history. The Steven Tour starts at the National Park Center outside the State Street T. From April through November, Rangers offer a free 90-minute guided walk that covers the Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House and the Old South Meeting House. The Rangers will highlight Boston in revolutionary times starting with Boston Tea Party and the Shot Heard ‘Round The World. The National Park Tour ends in the North End, where I recommend resting your feet and lunching at LAFAMIGLIA GIORGIO (112 Salem Street) as they offer a student discount. After lunch, continue by walking over the North Washington Street Bridge into Charlestown. Head over to visit the USS Constitution and take a free tour of the nation’s oldest commissioned warship dating back to 1797. After the USS Constitution visit walk over to the MBTA Ferry Stop and can catch a $1.25 boat ride to the Aquarium. The ride captures scenic views of downtown Boston.

Hockey is back!
Another great visit for a tourist is the TD Banknorth Garden. The Boston Bruins opened their season this month with a crushing defeat delivered by the Montreal Canadiens. The National Hockey League is back after a year of labor strife and is offering two great deals. Every Thursday night students can obtain half-price tickets on the $42-$52 seats. There are also a limited number of $10 promotional tickets available to the public. Stop by the TD Banknorth Garden ticket office to get tickets and avoid service fees.

Sick of Pizza? Use your MIT ID and save on these Lunch Deals around Campus:
· Save the 5% sales tax at on-campus restaurants like the Stata Center Cafeteria and Anna's Taqueria in the Student Center.
· Rebecca’s Café in Kendall Square offers a 15% discount for all student purchases over $4.

National Park Site: http://www.nps.gov/bost/
Boston Bruins: http://www.bostonbruins.com

Back To School Time.

2005-08-30T20:56:00.000-04:00

For years, I have been searching and learning about the best deals around. I have helped many of my friends and colleagues save hundreds of dollars through the years and look forward to sharing my learnings through this column. If you have any suggestions or ideas for the column, please send me a note.

Textbooks. Possibly the most expensive part of your September spend will be textbooks. Bookstores charge a 40% on most non-text items. Textbooks however only net bookstores a 20% mark-up so they despise the bulky expensive, hard-to-return textbooks as much as students.

To get the best deal on textbooks, you'll need to have your list, preferably the ISBN code. The ISBN is unique for every book published, so you don't have to worry about getting the wrong authors or editions. I normally start by using http://www.bestbookdeal.com/. This site will scour multiple websites around the world (overstock.com, eBay and Amazon) for used and new books. It will display the prices, shipping and book's condition in a really easy to use chart.

For example for this Fall's System Dynamics textbook (ISBN 007238915x), I found through bestbookdeal.com that my best option was to purchase the text new from Amazon in the UK saving almost $50 over the Coop.

Textbooks are tax-free in Massachusetts for students, which is generally not a problem when shopping for used books, on Amazon or at The Coop. However, barnesandnoble.com will charge you the 5% Massachusetts Sales Tax. To remove the taxes from your order, email a copy of your student ID to taxes@book.com along with a note identifying your order number. At Barnes & Noble online, you can also save 5% with a AAA membership by starting your purchase at http://www.aaa.com/barnesandnoble. So now you really have to be nice to your friends with a car.

Buying newly released books: The best deals can be found at Costco. Online, Overstock.com usually will have the best price if they carry the title. If the book is a business title, you can use 5% at Barnes & Noble.com using the AAA discount and apply for your taxes back on your purchase to save 10%.

Some intereting links related to this post:
NY Times on Selling Textbooks: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/05/business/05consuming.html?ex=1126584000&en=e291511ebfd128ac&ei=5070&emc=eta1
Other sites people have recommended but I have yet to try:
http://www.bookfinder4u.com
http://www.bigwords.com
http://www.china-pub.com/
http://www.welan.com/