The College Store Buyback Policy
Textbook buyback is offered year-around but the best time to sell your textbooks is at the end of the semester. 

 Spring 2008 Textbook Buyback Hours

BUYBACK 101
'Everything you ever wanted to know about textbook buyback'

Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Buyback

How are prices set?
Retail
We will pay up to 50% of the book price providing the textbook:
•  Is being used for the upcoming semester
•  Is needed to fill the bookstore quota
•  Is in reusable condition
For Example:  If you paid $50 for a textbook at the beginning of the semester, you will receive $25 during textbook buyback.

Wholesale
If the SUNY Oswego faculty does not have a need for the textbook in the next semester, we will check the book with our wholesaler.  Several factors determine what the wholesaler is willing to pay.  These factors include:
•  How many copies it already has in its warehouses.
•  How much of a demand its buyers think there will be for a book
•  How many copies it thinks it may get from schools across the country

It is sometimes the case that neither SUNY Oswego nor our wholesaler is looking to purchase the textbook.  There are several factors that could result in this decision.  These factors include:
•  The textbook has gone into a new edition or out of print
•  A faculty member has requested that the book be purchased in the next semester with supplementary materials such as online access codes or web-based components.  The publishers are not willing to sell these materials outside of the bundle.
•  The College Store or our wholesaler have fulfilled the limit of what they can buy.

Why should I sell my books back to The College Store?

Selling your books back not only saves you money, but it also helps other students. Being able to provide more used books helps lower textbook costs for others next semester. We would rather buy books back from our customers than use book supply dealers. In addition, we offer the best price, guaranteed!

What should I bring to Buyback?

Be sure to bring all parts of the textbook or package with you to buyback. Books may be worth less or have no value if they are missing a cd or study guide. You do not need your receipt of purchase for the textbook.  Please remember to bring your SUNY Oswego ID card as well.

Why do I see textbooks on the book store's shelves the following semester when I was told at buyback that an order had not yet been received for those books?

1.  Buyback prices are driven by professor's book requests. Unfortunately, some book orders are received at The College Book Store after the end of the semester buyback. Therefore, you received less money than you could have if the information had been known earlier. If your professor informs you that the book will be used next semester, please encourage them to share this information with The College Book Store so we may buy the book back at a higher price for you.

2.  We are still receiving textbook orders as buyback is occurring.  Prices change daily, and sometimes even hourly!  The College Book Store tries its hardest to put new textbook orders into the system as soon as possible to ensure you are getting the best price.

Do you buy study guides and workbooks?

Generally, yes if there are no pages missing and they have no excessive writing.  The purchase is at the discretion of the buyer.

If I know that a book is only used in the Fall semester, should I try to sell it back in December?

To receive the best price, you should wait until the May buyback. However, if the book has been around for a couple of years, you then run into the possibility of the book going into a new edition, thus having no resale value.

I did not use my textbook at all this past semester and it is still sealed.  How come I cannot receive a refund?

A time period is scheduled to accommodate textbook refunds and is posted throughout The College Store at the beginning of the semester.  Typically the refund period lasts 2 weeks after the first day of classes.  A refund will be issed only if it meets the following requirements:
1.  You have a cash register receipt and student ID.
2.  You purchased the book for the current semester.
3.  New books cannot be marked in any way.  Books purchased in a sealed package must be returned in a sealed package.  Used books purchased may be returned in that condition.
4.  If you purchased your textbooks by credit card or Flex Plan, you will be issued credit to that account, not cash.
5.  Books must be returned during the designated return period which will be posted throughout The College Store.