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Buying guide

Bulk Textbook Pricing Explained

When you buy textbooks in bulk, the price per copy usually falls as the quantity rises. This guide explains how quantity tiers work, how to compare quotes fairly, and what to look at besides the sticker price.

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How bulk pricing works

Quantity tiers
Instead of one price, a title has a price for each quantity range. For example, one price for 5–9 copies, a lower price for 10–24 copies and a lower one again for 25 or more. Every title has its own tiers.
How tiers work at Global Academic Supply
Most titles start at 5 copies, and many step down at 10 and 25 copies. Titles with a 100+ tier are quoted individually. The exact tiers are listed on each title page. For example, open the page for Research Design, 6th Edition to see how a tier table looks.
Compare the price per copy at your quantity
The single-copy price tells you very little. Look at the price per copy at the quantity you actually need, then multiply by the number of copies for your total.
Check the quantity boundaries
Sometimes ordering a few extra copies to reach the next tier lowers the total cost, and the extra copies can serve as spares or reserve copies. Compare the total at your quantity with the total at the next tier before you decide.
Compare everything that affects the total
Look at shipping, tax status, condition, whether the ISBN and edition you ordered are the ones that arrive, and delivery time. At Global Academic Supply shipping is free on every order, and books arrive brand new, shrink-wrapped and well protected.

Checklist for comparing bulk textbook quotes

✓Price per copy compared at your actual quantity
✓Total compared at the next tier up, not just your quantity
✓Shipping cost included in every quote
✓Same ISBN and edition in every quote you compare
✓Delivery time fits your term start date

Ready to order?

Browse wholesale textbooks or the full catalog and check the tiers on any title. Planning an order? See the Bulk Textbook Buying Guide and how to order by ISBN.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the price per copy lower when I order more? +
Suppliers pass on savings from larger orders, so the price per copy steps down at higher quantities. The steps are called quantity tiers.
Is there a minimum order? +
Minimum order quantities are set per title. Most titles at Global Academic Supply start at 5 copies, and the minimum is shown on each title page.
Is shipping extra on large orders? +
No. Shipping is free on every order at Global Academic Supply.
How do I get a price for 100 or more copies? +
Titles with a 100+ tier are quoted individually. Use the bulk quote option and tell us the title and the quantity.
Does the price I see include taxes? +
Tax treatment depends on your institution and location. Ask your finance or purchasing office how your institution handles tax, then check the details at checkout.