Textbook Buyback

What you need to know about selling your books...

When a book is to be used on campus next semester you have two options...

1) At our end of semester buybacks in May and December, the bookstore will pay 50% of the current price of a new copy of the book if the book:

• Is a required text for a class next semester.
• Is needed to fill next term's enrollment.
• Is in resalable condition.

2) Or you can use our Colby Bookstore U-Sell _® Program

Student-to-Student Textbook Recycling - we just help a little!

The Colby Bookstore U-Sell program, now in its ninth year, gives students a chance to have their text placed on the bookstore shelves with our regular textbook stock. As a student YOU set the sale price and if your text sells, YOU receive all the money.

Place your used text where the most students will see it - on our shelves!

U-Sell book registration is available twice a year during the May and December end of semester buybacks. We've got the most up-to-date list possible of the books faculty have definitely assigned for next semester's courses. You can U-Sell any book which is on this list of "adopted" books. Money for books sold through the U-Sell program is available about three weeks after the new semester begins - at the end of the add/drop and book return period.

Want to know more about the U-Sell program? Here are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions...

For books not being used at Colby - national textbook recycling...

For books not needed here on campus the bookstore acts as an agent for two national used book wholesalers during our end of semester buybacks. This is a service we provide so students can sell their books even if we can't buy them at the higher bookstore price. If one wholesaler doesn't need your book, we will automatically check the second wholesaler. This allows us to recycle more used books into the national used text market, and give you the best value possible for your books.

The prices paid for used books by the national wholesalers are set by them and average 10% to 33% of the price of the book if purchased new. Many factors contribute to the price set for books by the wholesalers, including:

• Release or impending release of a new edition - old editions have no national value.
• National supply and demand for the book in the textbook market.

If you'd like to sell used books at a time other than a scheduled buy...

We act as an agent for a national wholesale used book distributor, and can buy used books for them any day. Visit the Colby Bookstore Textbook department if you wish to sell books at times other than scheduled buyback periods.

For more information about selling books and buyback, send e-mail to Judy Balbo (jpbalbo @colby.edu)

Buyback FAQ | U-Sell FAQ
Custom Publishing | Academic Course Materials | Bookstore Welcome Page

This web page is maintained
by bcshutt@colby.edu.
Comments and contributions are welcome.
Last revised 8/8/00.