Textbook Buyback FAQ

Textbooks are unique.  There aren't too many items that can be purchased, used for a few months and then returned to the store for cash!

When is textbook buyback?

We buy books back from 9:00am – 4:00pm Monday – Friday.

In addition, our next end-of-term buyback is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9th - Friday, December 18th, 2009.

What do I do with my textbooks at the end of the semester?

The CSU Bookstore can buy many of your books.  The amount of money you receive is based on several things; whether the book is being used next semester, the number of copies the bookstore needs, and whether there is a new edition of the book.  The CSU Bookstore will buy your books back regardless of where you originally purchased them.

I'm a distance learning student, how can I sell back my textbooks?

To sell your books back when the class ends, please contact Kris.Townsend@colostate.edu. Kris will be happy to assist you if you wish to sell unwanted books.

How do I get most money for my textbooks at buyback?

  • Encourage instructors to get their orders for the next term in early.

  • Ask your instructors to let the CSU Bookstore know before exams begin if a text will be reused. If we have a textbook order early enough for the titles to be included in Buyback, you'll get a much better price for your book.

  • Sell early — You'll usually get the best price if you sell unwanted texts to the CSU Bookstore as soon as Buyback begins. During the end-of-the-term Buyback we pay top dollar for books, so don't wait until the beginning of the next term. And remember: even if you originally bought the book "used" you can still sell it back — we pay you the same amount whether you originally purchased it new or used.

  • Bring all the extras — be sure to bring any CDs, disks, video tapes or other items that came with the book. If you don't have these items, we may still buy the book, but the price might be affected.

How are buyback prices determined?

The CSU Bookstore is here to help students reduce their textbook costs by buying back their books for as much as possible. The prices are not set arbitrarily; they are set using a specific system. Here's how it works:

  • If the CSU bookstore knows a professor plans to use the book again:
    The CSU bookstore will usually pay 50% of the current new price of the book (whether the book was purchased 'new' or 'used') until the need for the semester is met. This quantity is determined by the number of students expected to enroll in the class for the following semester. For example, let's say a textbook costs $100.00 new. At Buyback, you will usually be paid $50.00 because the Bookstore has learned it is going to be used on campus the following semester, and the Bookstore still needs additional used copies. If you purchased a used copy of the same book for $75.00 at the beginning of the semester, at Buyback you would still get $50.00 – you will get the same price whether you bought the book new or used!
  • Once the specified quantity has been met, the CSU Bookstore works with a national used book dealer who purchases the books directly from students. The price offered to the student depends on several factors determined by the dealer. The CSU Bookstore has no influence on this price. Books purchased by the national used book dealer are boxed and shipped daily.

If the CSU Bookstore doesn't know if a professor plans to use a book again or if the professor has told us the book will not be used again, then:

  • A national used book dealer purchases the books directly from the students. The price offered to the student depends on several factors determined by the dealer. The CSU Bookstore has no influence on this price. Books purchased by the dealer are boxed and shipped daily.

Can I sell a book I originally purchased used?

Yes. And whether you originally purchased the book new or used, you will receive the same amount of money at Buyback.

Do you buy study guides or CD-ROMS?

Sometimes. As long as it has an ISBN number the CSU Bookstore can search and you won't miss any opportunities.

What if I bought the book somewhere else or don't have my receipt?

No problem. You do not need a sales receipt to sell your textbooks to us.

Does the previous edition of my text have resale value?

It depends on which edition a professor will use the next semester. If they decide to amd use the old edition, that's what the Bookstore buys. The computer buys based on ISBN so if the book has value, we'll know it.

What if my textbook has no value?

Your text will always have value. The CSU Bookstore works with Books for Development, a non-profit organization that ships textbooks to developing countries. Boxes will be available at each Buyback location to hold any books you wish to donate.

How firm is the price?

The demand for the book is finite and is maintained in real time. The demand decreases instantly every time a student sells a book at the CSU Bookstore during end-of-semester Buyback. To get the best price, sell your book early in the buyback, as soon as you are through using it.

Can I sell back books in any condition?

We want used books; not abused books. We reserve the right to refuse to purchase damaged books or books that are unlikely to be repurchased by other students. Water damage, broken bindings, answers filled in and missing pages or CD's, etc. are some common reasons we are unable to purchase a book.

Why are there not more titles on the list?

Not knowing a book will be used the following semester is the number one reason it's not included on the purchase list. Other ;reasons include a change in the textbook edition, a different book being used for the same course, or courses taught only once a year. Only those books that are certain to be used at the CSU Bookstore make it on the list. However, thousands more are being purchased by the used book dealer. Ask your instructors to order textbooks before buyback to help increase the value of used textbooks during Buyback.