Textbook F.A.Q.

What are used books?

Buying books used is an easy way for you to save money. We strive to bring in as many used books as possible. This means that most of our books are used textbooks, which save you about 25% off the cost of new! Our used books are either bought back from students or purchased from nationwide wholesalers. This way we can give you access to the most used books, which means you save more money by shopping at the bookstore.

What are textbook rentals?

Buying used books and selling them back to us at 50% of the new price is a great deal, but what happens if the edition changes or the book is not chosen to be used again? Yep! You get stuck with books you do not want and often times books that have no value. That is why we developed our rental program.

Many of the books for the general education courses (classes everyone has to take) are now being rented. Why pay full price for a book you probably would not want to keep anyway? Our rental program saves you money upfront and guards you from those annoying edition changes. Here is how it works! If the book for your course is being rented, you will only pay a rental fee at a fraction of the cost of the book. You may use the book all semester and when your done, simply return the book to us! You may highlight in the book as if it is yours; just make sure it is in re-useable condition when you turn it back in. By renting your books, you can save about 50% of the regular price of books: that means more money in your pocket and less worries at the end of the semester. Oh, say you want to keep your big, ugly, World Lit book? No problem; by not returning it we will assume you want to keep it and we will charge the difference to your student account.

What affects the buyback price of my book?

Textbook buyback prices are affected by six key factors:

1. Condition of the book.
2. Current bookstore stock.
3. National demand for your book title.
4. New edition(s) have been published.
5. Custom pieces/components missing.
6. The instructor will not reuse the book.

How does the bookstore determine which books to buy?

The selection of textbooks is always the responsibility of the individual instructor. As booklists are turned in by the faculty for use in a coming semester, we complete a list of texts that will be reused. We try to make this list as complete as possible, but we are dependent upon the cooperation of the faculty. Based on class enrollments and existing book inventory, our textbook manager determines the quantity of each book that can be purchased at buyback. Books not needed by the bookstore are sold to a wholesaler, who makes them available to other college stores around the country.

Why are some books worth so much more than others?

You will always get the best price for your book if it is needed by the bookstore for the coming semester, and you have your original sales receipt. Unfortunately, there are several factors that can prevent a book from reaching its full potential at buyback. Some of these factors include:

• The professor who last used the book has not submitted a book order.
• A new edition of the book has been released.
• The book is not being used the following semester.

How can I sell my books?

IN-STORE BUYBACK. Sell back your unwanted textbooks any day the bookstore is open. Bring your books to the Customer Service counter and we will offer you the current wholesaler’s price. During our major buyback periods, the bookstore will offer you 50% of the new retail price for any book that is being re-used the following semester. Now that’s a good deal!

ONLINE BUYBACK. Sell your textbooks online - all day, everyday! You can now see how much you'll get for your books online, ship them to us, and we will offer you the current wholesaler’s price. During our major buyback periods, we may offer up to 50% of your money back. Sell your books back online and we will send you a check after we receive your books. It's that easy!

SELL YOUR BOOKS ON CONSIGNMENT. Allow the bookstore to help you sell your books to other students. That’s right; we want to help you sell your books. Here’s how it works: drop your book off to us at the bookstore, fill out a consignment contract, set your selling price, and let us do all the work! We will post information about your book on our shelves and also put it in a classified ad on our website. Once your book sells we will give you the cash for it! The bookstore will keep a small 15% commission fee on all books sold (same as Amazon.) If it doesn’t sell, simply pick up your book free of charge!

It’s good for you, as the seller! It’s an easy way for you to get more money back for your book.

It’s good for you, as a buyer! Think about it! Find the books you need at other students prices. Plus you can pay with a credit card, out-of-state check, or you might be able to even charge it to your student account.

What is your return policy?

All returns must be accompanied by a valid sales receipt!

Textbooks may not be returned or exchanged if:

1. the plastic shrink wrap has been opened or removed
2. the textbook has been highlighted or written in (new text)
3. the textbook has been damaged
4. the accompanying CD or study aids are missing
5. after the drop-class date established by the Records Office

A 15% restocking fee will be charged for all returned textbooks unless accompanied by your registration data form verifying that the corresponding course has been dropped."

What if I can't find my class?

If you can’t find your class, make sure that you have selected the correct term. If your class still doesn’t appear in the course list it could mean one of two things:

1.) There might not be a text required or
2.) We have not received any course information from the professor.

If you have any questions or concerns about your course material, try contacting your professor or feel free to call the bookstore.

Can I pick my books up in the store?

Absolutely! Many students are finding that ordering online is an easy way to get their textbooks! Order what you need for your classes and request pick-up in store as the shipping method. We will pull your books for you and put them on hold in our back room. The next time you’re on campus, simply stop by and pick them up!