University Store

Textbook Questions & Answers

1. Why should I buy my textbooks at the Universoty Store?
2.  Who decides which textbooks are required for a course?
3. What types of purchase methods exist for buying textbooks?
4. How do I know which textbooks to buy? Where are they located in the University Store?
5. What is the recommended best time to buy textbooks?
6. How much do textbooks cost?
7. May I reserve textbooks for pick-up over the phone or online?
8. Are USED books available and where are they located?
9.  Can textbooks be returned for a refund?
10. Does the University Store buy textbooks back? How much is paid for them?

1. Why should I buy my textbooks at the University Store?

The University Store has the most up-to-date, accurate information directly from the faculty which means that you get the RIGHT BOOK for your class. You also benefit from the CONVENIENCE of on-campus shopping and the opportunity to buy all of your books at the same time. Since the University Store is owned and operated by Towson University, all of the money spent in the store goes back into the university to directly benefit you.

2. Who decides which textbooks are required for a course?

The instructor of the course determines the specific required and recommended textbooks for the course. Instructors are responsible for providing the book information to the University Store Textbook Department by an established deadline so that the books are on the shelves when the semester begins.

3. What types of purchase methods exist for buying textbooks?

You can choose to shop in the University Store or online. Click on the "Textbook Information" link for more details about book availability and pick-up/shipping options.

4. How do I know which textbooks to buy? Where are they located in the University Store?

Your course schedule is the key to identifying the textbooks that are needed for each class whether you shop in the store or online. So please bring your course schedule with you to the store because it contains the course and section numbers that are needed to identify the required textbooks. The Textbook Department is located at the back of the University Store and is arranged alphabetically by academic department and numerically by course/section numbers. Faculty names are not used to identify courses and textbooks because faculty are sometimes reassigned.

5. What is the recommended best time to buy textbooks?

Textbooks for the fall, spring, and summer semesters are available for sale 1 to 2 weeks prior to the first day of classes. Since many changes to course and book information occur before a semester starts, the University Store can be reasonably sure by this date that the correct books are on the shelf and that the majority of new and used books have arrived.

6. How much do textbooks cost?

The average cost of required textbooks and supplies for a full-time student is $350-$500 per semester. The University Store also sells USED textbooks which are priced 25% less than NEW textbooks. For more accurate costs, use the online "Book Search/Order" link.

7. May I reserve textbooks for pick-up over the phone or online?

You may not reserve textbooks over the phone. However, you may reserve online textbook orders for pick-up at the University Store for a limited time at the beginning of the semester. Click on the "Textbook Information" link for more details about the TOPS (Textbook Order Pick-up Service). Beginning and ending dates for the TOPS program will be advertised on our website.

8. Are USED books available and where are they located?

Yes, USED books are available. Since they sell quickly, all USED copies are shelved along with the new books.

9. Can textbooks be returned for a refund?

Textbooks may be returned for any reason within the first two weeks* of fall and spring classes according to the following criteria:

You present the ORIGINAL RECEIPT.

NEW or USED copies are not water damaged.

NEW books must be in new, unmarked condition without highlighting, writing and underlining. The cover and pages of the NEW book must be intact, uncreased, and unsoiled.

Books purchased shrinkwrapped must be returned with the shrinkwrap intact.

If the books were purchased with a credit card and you want your account credited, you must have the credit card or credit card information (account number and expiration date). You also have the option of receiving a store credit.

For dropped classes, textbooks may be returned within the first four weeks* of classes. In addition to the criteria listed above, the "drop" will be verified online.

*For the actual date of textbook refund deadlines for the current semester, check the message on your cash register sales receipt or the "Textbook Return Policy" section of this site.

10. Does the University Store buy textbooks back? How much is paid for them?

The University Store buys used textbooks back daily during regular store hours throughout the year and also has major Book Buybacks during final exams of both fall and spring semesters. See the "Textbook Buyback" section of this site for schedule dates/times.

The actual value of the used books sold at the end-of-semester Book Buybacks is determined during the Buyback transaction as follows:

The University Store pays 50% of the NEW book price for current texts and 33% of the NEW book price for current edition mass market books (pocket sized paperbacks) if:

1. A book order for the upcoming semester has been received by the store from the faculty for the title and

2. The store needs additional copies to meet anticipated customer demand.

If the University Store does not need your book and it's a current edition, a wholesaler may offer 10%-30% of the NEW book price.

If the book is an old edition, it will generally not be purchased at all by either the University Store or the wholesaler.

The prices offered for textbooks during the Daily Book Buyback are based on a national book wholesaler's buying guide and will fluctuate with demand.