FAQ

Frequently Asked QuestionsGeneral Textbooks - StudentsWho selects the textbooks and supplies?Course instructors select all textbooks and supplies.These materials are requested and then ordered by NC State Bookstores for the Wolfpack Outfitters and Pack Shop (Centennial) locations.Each textbook is ordered to enhance and complement classroom instruction.Why are textbooks so expensive?Older textbooks were strictly "text" books.Newer textbooks have more photos and graphics and may include teacher's aids, software, templates, and other multimedia additions. All of these enhancements increase the books' costs.Some books have short sale lives. Publishers increase prices for these books to cover R&D costs used to update the material.Rare or rarely-used materials, in addition to the sales life, have limited production. Costs tend not to decrease with descreases in sales.I don't see my course/section listed on your website, what materials do I need?If you don't see your course or section listed on our website it means that we haven't received any course material information from your instructor.Check our website frequently - we update it daily as we get new orders.You can also wait until the first day of class to get textbook information from your instructor.Do you ship textbooks? Can I get my order expedited?We're happy to ship your online textbook order. When checking out select the option for ground shipping. The standard textbook shipping fee ($10.95) will be added to your purchase total.Please note that we do not ship to P.O. Boxes or campus dormitoriesPlease call for international shipping rates, including Alaska and HawaiiWe can expedite shipping: please call (919)-515-2161 for more information.The flat rate for shipping computers is $25.00

What are the different textbook statuses?Required: The instructor indicated that the item is required for their courseOptional: The instructor indicated that the item might benefit students but is not requiredChoice: The instructor indicates multiple formats of the same item, giving students purchase optionsWhat are substitutions and how will they affect my order?When you place an order, you ask for a Used or New copy.If you select "Substitute OK" we'll make subsitutions ifYou ask for Used and we only have New You ask for New and we only have UsedIf you select "Substitute NO" we won't make substitutions soIf you ask for Used and we only have New, we'll cancel that bookIf you ask for New and we only have Used, we'll cancel that bookWe'll fill your order with your requests and substitute if needed.What is the refund policy for textbooks?See our Policies page

Textbook RentalCan I use my financial aid or scholarship money to pay for rentals?No. Scholarship or Financial Aid funds cannot be used for rentals.How do I pay for my rental?Rental books may be paid for with credit or debit card, cash, Wolfpack Outfitters gift card, or NC State All Campus card funds. Note that a Securing Credit Card is required for all book rentals. The Securing Credit Card will be charged in the event that the rental books are not returned. The expiration date for the Securing Credit Card must be later than the rental due date.What happens if I don't return my rental book? Rental books must be returned by the due date indicated at the time of rental. In the event that you do not return your rental books, we will first attempt to charge the credit card that was used to secure your rental. The full replacement price of the book will be charged for each rental book that is not returned. If the securing card is unable to be charged, a HOLD will be placed on your university account. Account holds can limit your ability to register for classes and graduate if they are not cleared in a timely manner.Can I write or highlight in my rented books? What about damage to the book?Yes! Minimal highlighting and writing is allowed. Excessive highlighting and/or writing may result in the book being deemed non-returnable. Books that have torn covers, missing pages, or water damage are considered unsaleable and will be charged the full replacement fee of the book.What are the standard rental time periods?The actual length of your rental period will vary with the date of your rental, but the due date is fixed. Regardless of when you rent your book(s), all books are dueFall and Spring: the first Friday after the last day of final exams.Summer I & II: the first Friday after the last day of Summer II final exams. Check your receipt and Bookstores displays for the specific date each semester. Can I cancel my order?We make every effort to process your order quickly. If you are not able to cancel your textbook rental order online, please contact us via email at bookstore@ncsu.edu.How can I return a rental for a refund?Rental books may be returned for a refund until the current semester's Add/Drop date. Returned items must be in the same condition as when originally rented.I'm worried I might forget my due date. Will I get a reminder?Yes! You'll receive email reminders approximately 7, 3 and 1 day(s) before your rental due date.Textbook BuybackWill you buy my book(s) back, and how much I will get? If the instructor decides to use the book the following semester, we'll pay the most competitive price until we reach our limit. Once we reach our limit or if the book isn't being used, we'll pay a national wholesale price based on edition and natiionwide popularity of the book.Other factors that affect buyback values include:book conditioneditionthe presence of extras (CDs, inserts, etc.)Check current buyback pricesWhat's the best time to sell back my books?The best time to sell back books is around finals.The more requests from instructors we get before finals week, the better chance you have of getting the most money back.Online OrdersWhy should I order online?Ordering online lets you avoid long lines with one-stop pick-upuse financial aid to purchase bookshave a better chance at getting used books, if you order earlychoose books, eBooks or rentalssave time by letting us pull the books for youuse your parents' credit card

When I place an online order, when will I be charged?We charge you after we've pulled the books you ordered.During the fall semester this might be a few weeks after you place the order or within a day during rush.You are not charged when you submit the order. Sometimes we run out of new/used books and have to substitute, which could change how much you'll pay.What does it mean when a book is on backorder?Backorders happen when we don't have an item in the store to fill your order.We don't charge you for backorders until the book arrives in the store.You may see partial charges when we have some of your books but have to backorder others.You'll receive a separate email when a backorder is ready for pick-up.Why was my textbook cancelled from my order?There are a few reasons that we might cancel a book.Sometimes between the time you place the order and the time we process it, the instructor cancels an item from the required list of readings.With the "Choice" option, both texts are selected and we'll decide which item to fill, then cancel the other. With "Choice" items, you'll only need one, not both.If you selected "No Subsitutions" and we don't have the book condition (New or Used) requested, we'll cancel that item. To prevent substition cancellations, please choose "Subsitution OK", and we'll fill your oder with what we have on hand.Why is the amount in my confirmation email different than what I was charged?Your confirmation email shows the total for your order if it gets filled exactly as requested. It does not include applicable sales taxes.If we can't fill your order as requested and need to make substitutions, the amount charged may differ from your estimated order total.If we have to backorder anything in your order, you won't be charged for those items until they arrive in store. You may see multiple charges for one order if we have to fill it in stages as backorders arrive. If you have questions about charges, please call the store at 919-515-2161.

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