CU Book Store 
Join our email list
Textbook "Buy Back"
Buy Back vs ReturnsTextbook worth at Buy Back
Used textbook worth at Buy Back
Buy Back advantages
Best time to sell your books
Book donations and un-sellable books
What is the difference between returning a textbook and "buy back"?
You can return a textbook for full price before our return deadline, but some conditions apply. You can sell your textbooks back to the store during buy back, generally conducted at the end of each semester, but you will not get the same amount you paid for the textbook.
How much will I get for my textbooks at buy back?
We do not give price quotes on textbooks over the phone. The buy back price is affected by many factors including whether or not a textbook will be used in the next semester, how many copies are needed, and the publisher-suggested retail price. Not all textbooks can be sold back to the bookstore. It is best to sell your textbooks back early during the end-of-semester buy back.
If I purchase a textbook used, does it affect what I'll get for it during buy back?
If I purchased a shrink-wrapped textbook or package of books, but never opened it, does that affect what I’ll get for it at buy back?
No. Buy back rates are determined by whether that particular textbook and edition will be used the following semester, how many copies are needed, and the current publisher-suggested retail price. Additionally, your textbook must be in reasonable condition. We do not buy back textbooks that are falling apart or have any water damage.
Is there an advantage to selling my textbooks during buy back?
Yes. Selling your textbooks during the buy back period at the end of each semester will bring the premium price for your texts. It is best to sell your textbooks early during buy back, as top dollar is paid only for the number of titles needed to "fill an order." For example, assume ten copies of Lycanthropy are needed for next semester’s course. You happen to be the tenth person selling this textbook during buy back. Lucky you! You will receive $25 for it. However, since only ten copies were needed, the person behind you with the eleventh copy only receives $2.
Is it better to sell at the end of the semester or beginning?
Buy back at the end of the semester is the best time to sell your textbooks. This is the period when the CU Book Store purchases used texts for the next semester, and you have the best opportunity to receive top dollar for your textbooks. You can also sell your textbooks to publishers at the beginning of each semester. Typically, prices offered for textbooks are less during this time.
You can also sell your textbooks back any time year-round by taking them to the Customer Service counter in the CU Book Store. Prices offered during this time tend to be lower than other buy back periods. Additionally, fewer titles are typically purchased at this time.
What can I do with textbooks that you won’t buy back?
Sometimes we cannot buy back certain textbooks, but we make book donations on a regular basis to various charitable organizations that supply libraries and educators in prisons, Native American reservations, third world countries, etc. During buy back we accept book donations.
