Bookstore - FAQ's

Who chooses the textbooks we sell?

All the required course books that we sell are chosen by your professors. They know what titles best explain the important things you need to learn in their classes. Professors are concerned about textbook prices for their students. They often request paperback editions, when available, to help keep costs down.

Why recycle your textbooks?

Recycling your textbooks is not only good for the environment, but it also helps increase our inventory of used textbooks for students. Having more used textbooks in stock is the single most significant way the Mercyhurst Bookstore can reduce your textbook costs. The best source of used books is you, our customer. Our preference is to purchase them from you rather than purchase them from a used book company.

How are buyback prices determined?

Buyback prices are determined by book lists submitted by instructors for the next quarter. If we know which books will be needed and we are not already overstocked, then the Mercyhurst Bookstore will pay 50% of the retail purchase price. If the instructor has not submitted an order at the time you try to sell your book(s), then you will receive that book's current national market value determined. That value, determined by used book companies, is based upon the national demand for the book and whether or not it is a current edition. Wholesale buyback prices typically range up to 30% of the retail price.

Why aren't all books eligible for 50% buyback?

Some books may not be bought back at 50% of the retail price due to Mercyhurst's quarter system where many of the classes are only taught once a year. A used text's value may decline due to the publication of a newer edition.

How do I find out the buyback value of my used textbook?

Because buyback pricing is based on our stock, the only way to determine the buyback value of your book is to inquire at the buyback table during buyback. The Mercyhurst Bookstore does not give pricing information over the phone as prices are subject to change by the time you bring the book in to sell back.

Old Editions and Out-of-Print Textbooks

Publishers issue new editions of textbooks frequently. They do this partly as a result of changing information, but also to discourage the sale of used books. When a new edition of a title comes out, the previous edition loses its value. Old edition textbooks are in surplus in the national used book market, and there is no demand for them. They have no value and unfortunately we cannot buy them. You may wish to keep these books for your own library since they can still serve as valuable references.

Disk, Audio Tape, and Workbook Packages

If your text was sold as part of a package, containing a book and a computer disk, cassette, or a workbook, these items must be included when you sell back the book. However, due to concern about the potential for mishandled disks or tapes, and the inability to check these items at the buyback counter, decisions about buying these packages will be made by the store general manager on a title-by-title basis.

When to Sell Your Books

The best time to sell your used books is during finals week, at the end of a term. By this time, we have received book orders from most of the faculty and our "demand" for certain titles is high. That means we can pay you more for your used books. Your questions are welcome