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Buyback FAQs

Buyback FAQs

What is Textbook Buyback?

Textbook Buyback is an opportunity to sell your unwanted textbooks for cash. The Bookstore buys books all year, but conducts a major buyback at the end of each fall and spring semester. We will pay you the most cash for books being used here at UD for the upcoming semester.

Learn more about the Book Buyback Program >>

How will I know when Buyback is scheduled?

Buyback dates and times are posted on our website as well as our Facebook page. Buyback posters with dates and times will be posted around campus in the weeks leading up to buyback.

What is an ISBN?

The International Standard Book Number, or ISBN, is a thirteen-digit code used to identify a book (e.g., 978-0-32168650-3). Each book has its own ISBN. You can find the ISBN on the back of a book near the barcode or on the copyright page.

Do I need my receipt to sell my textbooks during Buyback?

No, but you do need your campus ID card to sell books.

Where can I sell back my books?

We try and offer several convenient buyback locations across campus for our end-of-semester buybacks. Visit our website or Facebook page for up-to-date details on dates, times and locations.

Can I sell back my i-Clicker?

Yes. As long as faculty continue to require them, we will continue to buy them back.

How can this book be worthless when I paid a lot for it three months ago?

Books that go out of print no longer have any market value. We can only buy back books that we will be able to sell either here in the store next term, or to a wholesaler. Even when no national wholesale price exists for a book, which happens with old editions, we will often still buy back old editions that have been re-ordered by faculty for the next term. Old editions do not generally have as great a buyback value as current editions.

A friend of mine sold this same book back to the bookstore this morning and got more. Why are you offering me less?

We have reached our buyback quantity limit. Once we hit our needed quantity for a book, we start buying the same book at the national wholesale value. Books bought back at the lower wholesale prices are actually being purchased by the wholesale company who runs our buyback, and they will be sent to that national wholesaler for resale to other colleges and universities. The Bookstore does not keep books that are purchased at wholesale price.

What is "wholesale price" referring to?

Wholesale prices range from 0 percent to about 30 percent of retail. It’s basic supply and demand - the newer a book and therefore the greater the market demand, the higher the wholesale value for that book; the older a book and the lower the demand, the lower the wholesale value.

The professor said she was going to use this book again next semester. Why can't I sell it back?

If the instructor hasn't yet indicated to the bookstore that she plans to use this book again next semester, we cannot yet buy it back. Once we do receive an order, or adoption, for that book from the department, we will then be able to add the book to our buyback list, assuming we need copies of it. Ask your professor if she has sent her textbook order to the bookstore or department coordinator.

How does the used book company determine market value?

Prices paid by wholesale companies depend on the age, popularity and subject matter of the book. There is significant risk that the textbook will change editions and render the wholesaler’s inventory worthless, so a lot of effort on their part is devoted to predicting demand and anticipating when editions will change.

CONTACT

Bookstore


300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469 - 0700
937-229-3233
Email