Text Return Policy

A sales receipt must accompany all book returns. A drop slip from the registrar may also be requested.

• New books must not be marked in any way for a full refund.
• No refunds will be given for unwrapped books that were marked "No Return if Unwrapped"
• All credit card sales will be refunded to the credit card used.
• THE LAST DAY FOR REFUNDS WILL BE FIVE DAYS AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THE RESPECTIVE CLASS.

Common Questions Regarding Buyback:
 

What is Buyback?

Buyback is essentially the recycling of textbooks for money.
At the end of a semester or evening session, the OU Bookstore
buys books back from students. (This is different from a refund,
which is given to students BEFORE the book has been used.)

What determines the price of a book?

1. Instructor has chosen to use the book again: If an instructor has chosen to use a book again, the bookstore will need a certain quantity of this particular title for the next semester or session. Until we reach the quantity we need, the book will be bought back at retail. Retail books are bought back for roughly 50% of the purchase price of the book. If the book was purchased new, students may receive 50% of the new price. If the book was purchased used, students may receive 50% of the used price.
2. Instructor is undecided or has decided to use another book: If a book has not been adopted by a professor before buyback occurs, the book will be bought back at wholesale value.
3. New edition has been published: Once a new edition has been published, old editions have no wholesale value.
4. Bookstore is overstocked: If we have the quantity we need of a particular book, we will pay only wholesale value for the book. (See National Demand for Book).
5. Condition of book: We will accept a book at full wholesale value during buyback
   unless it is damaged (i.e. pages are missing or water-damaged). Highlighting and underlining are acceptable.
6. National Demand for book exists: National demand for a book determines the wholesale value of a title. Books bought back wholesale are shipped to a wholesaler
   who recycles them to other colleges and universities where they are needed.

Aside from the money I receive, why should I sell my books back?

Students are often disappointed with the wholesale value of their texts. However, by selling books back, students are not only receiving money for texts, but also contributing to the reduction of textbook prices. By selling their books back to the bookstore (whether at retail or wholesale prices), they are increasing the number of used books available to students as a whole.


Why does Buyback occur only at certain times during the year?

Because Buyback requires a certain amount of preparation and updating of information, we do not offer it as an ongoing service. Buyback occurs specifically at the end of semesters and sessions for two primary reasons:

1. Students usually choose not to sell their books back until they have completed the particular class in which the books are being used.
2. Students receive more money for books that have been adopted by faculty for future semesters or sessions. We will have many more faculty book orders for the following semesters or sessions at the end of the current session, rather than at the beginning.