Textbook FAQs

HOW DO I BUY MY TEXTBOOKS?

Textbooks can be purchased in person at the Willmar campus Bookstore or ordered online by clicking here. Orders placed online can be shipped to you (UPS) or picked up at the Bookstore at your convenience. For online orders, you will immediately receive an e-mail confirmation that your order was received. You will receive a second e-mail when your order has been filled, your account charged and your books are ready to be picked up or shipped out per your request. No charge will occur until your books are ready. Please wait for your second e-mail before trying to come in and pick up your web order. A photo ID is required to pick up your web order.

ARE USED BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR MY CLASS?

Used textbooks are available in limited quantities for many classes on a first-come, first-served basis.

WHAT ARE RENTAL BOOKS?

You can rent a book for a percentage of the retail purchase price and then return it at the end of the semester. Here are some rental facts:

• Renting textbooks saves you on average 50% when compared to a new, printed textbook.
• How will you know which books are available to rent? If purchasing in the bookstore, look for the green rental sticker on the shelf tag. The Bookstore clerk will ask you at the checkout if you would like to purchase or rent the book. If purchasing from our Bookstore website, the RENTAL option will display in your book list alongside New and Used (if available).
• You can pay for a rental book using any form of payment (cash, check, credit card, financial aid), but a credit card number will be kept on file in case you forget to return it or the book is damaged. If the book isn’t returned, the securing credit card will be charged for a replacement book (retail less rental price) plus a $10 processing fee.
• The rental is for one semester only. The rental book is due back to the Bookstore by the last day of the semester for which it was rented. Textbook rentals returned via mail must be postmarked by the rental return due date.
• What if I drop the class? The Bookstore return policy is the same whether the book was purchased or rented. Return policy
• If you decide to keep the book at the end of the semester, you will only pay the difference between the retail price of the book and the rental price (if paid by the last day of the semester).
• The Bookstore may refuse to accept your rental book at the end of the semester if the book is not in good condition. Good condition will be judged by the Bookstore staff alone, and generally means book spine intact, no excessive damage to cover or contents, all original pages intact, all original components present, and no excessive highlighting, writing or other markings. The book cannot have any liquid damage.

WHY SHOULD STUDENTS BUY THEIR BOOKS AT THE BOOKSTORE?

• Convenience!! Order on-line or shop the store!
• Guaranteed correct book. Only WE speak directly with the faculty regarding textbooks.
• Easy returns while on campus.
• Financial Aid, agency funding, and PSEO charging available.
• Customer service! We have a face to which you can return if problems occur.
• Used books can be examined before you purchase.
• All profits go back into the college to provide direct services and to keep down tuition costs.
• Potential of 65% savings on used books (when you buy used and resell for use at term's end).
• Rental Books and E-Books offer a huge savings opportunity!
• Even with an ISBN, searching the internet for a textbook can be hazardous. A single ISBN can bring all manner of mis-represented products via the web--wrong editions, wrong packages, severely damaged books--and more. Too often, old editions, books without CDs, International editions, instructor's annotated editions or ancillaries are sent to students instead of the books they really need for classes.

WHAT IS THE BOOKSTORE DOING TO DECREASE TEXTBOOK PRICES FOR STUDENTS?

In 2016, the Bookstore decreased prices for all textbooks available through the Bookstore: new, used, rentals, e-books, student manuals, online access codes and all other course materials. In addition to decreased prices across the board, the Bookstore is offering students more options such as purchasing a loose-leaf book instead of hard cover or purchasing an e-book or access code only instead of the textbook. The Bookstore encourages faculty to submit book orders early thus increasing the possibility of finding used textbooks from wholesalers instead of having to purchase new books from the publishers. In addition, renting textbooks is the lowest cost option to students. A used rental book often is about one-fourth the cost of a new textbook.