Textbook buyback and rental return information

It’s textbook buyback and rental return season at the Bookstore in Taylor Hall (April 28 – May 10). Students will want to be sure to take advantage of buyback options, and for those who have rented textbooks, it is very important that they make a plan to return them on time!

Why is it important to return rentals or sell back books to the Taylor Bookstore? It:

• Reduces the cost of textbooks by increasing our used book inventory for future courses; this minimizes the need for the Bookstore to purchase new books each term – which has a great impact on affordability, availability and sustainability
• Provides credit to their debit card for books the student does not want to keep
• Eliminates shipping costs that may be incurred with online buyback/return

Buyback pricing

The price offered for books or other course materials varies by market demand and which textbooks the faculty have indicated they plan to use for Summer or Fall classes. The Bookstore generally offers one of three buyback prices:

• Retail value: The book/course material will be used for a future class/we know at the time of buyback that we need that book for a future Wake class
• Wholesale value: The book/course material is not currently known to be needed for a future class at Wake, but has national bluebook value.
• Marketplace value: The book/course material is not currently known to be needed for a future class at Wake but has a value through marketplace channels, because global demand is great.                                                               

Some books/course materials have little or no market value and cannot be bought back. These may include books that are not going to be used in future Wake classes, are in poor condition, are loose leaf books, are soon to be an old edition (and no longer current material), etc. These books are donated to Better World Books as part of our sustainability efforts.

What is the difference between a buyback, check-in, and a return?

• Buyback is the process of selling back used books to the store for credit to your debit card. The amount offered for the used book is determined by its condition, store need, and market value.
• Check-in is the process of bringing back rented textbooks to the bookstore. The student’s rental record is updated to reflect that their rental books are checked in.
• Return is when books and/or merchandise are returned to the Bookstore accompanied by a receipt; these are eligible for a refund of the purchase price according to Bookstore policy.

Important note for students who rent books

For rented books, there is typically a deadline to return their rental. Students renting course materials should make a plan to return their rentals by their due date to avoid extra fees.

Where do students find the rental return? It was emailed to them on the original Follett rental agreements that they signed, so they will want to search their WFU email for that Follett rental agreement to see the date. The Bookstore emails students at the end of each semester reminding them to return their materials as the due date approaches. 

If students have questions about any of this, they can see any Bookstore Team Member for details.