What do I need to do to get my textbooks for the upcoming semester?

There are two ways to get textbooks.  The first available date to pick up textbooks is posted on our website each semester at https://bookstore.appstate.edu.   Books may be picked up in person or online orders can be placed from our website.   Online orders that are to be picked up in  store incur a $5.00 processing fee.  Orders are also shipped UPS ground at the current shipping rate. Online orders take at least 24 hours to be pulled, processed and packed.  Occasionally online orders take longer than 24 hours to be processed, check our website for complete information regarding current processing time.

If I want to pick up my books in the store, how do I go about doing that?

•Main campus undergraduate students come to the University Bookstore entrance by the library and go to the 2nd Floor to get your book list printed by presenting your App Card.  Book lists can also be printed before coming to the bookstore.  The book list is reviewed and selections are made.  Our staff gathers the selected texts and calls the student’s name to proceed to a workstation once all the materials have been gathered. •Graduate textbooks are located on the second floor to the left of the main checkout area.  Someone will be available to help locate graduate books.   •Distance learning students should proceed to the help desk on the second floor just behind graduate texts with a class schedule printout.

Where do I pick up my online orders?

Online orders are located on the second floor of the bookstore to the right of the cash registers.  Internet order numbers must be presented to pick up online orders.  The bookstore will send an “order fulfilled” email that indicates the order has been processed and is ready to go. The packing list/receipt is included in the box and must be presented for any returns.  This receipt also indicates the rental return date and the last day to return purchase textbooks to receive full credit.  

Can someone else pick up my textbooks for me?

Rental texts must be picked up in person, and the rental agreement signed by the individual who is assigned the rental texts.   Any exceptions to this policy must be made by the Bookstore Director or textbook managers. Anyone may purchase textbooks.

Can I charge my purchase books to my student account or financial aid?

No.  We do not have access to charge student accounts or financial aid.  We accept cash, App Express accounts, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and personal checks for payment.  All forms of payment except cash require a photo I.D.  The cardholder whose name appears on the card must be present at the time of payment and also for returns/refunds.  Financial aid must be in place before purchases are made.  

What is the difference between a rental textbook and a purchased textbook?

The Bookstore manages the University’s tuition based rental textbook program which provides the primary text for most undergraduate courses for $150.00 during the fall and spring semester and $35.00 for each summer semester. Any rental textbook not returned by the published deadline will be charged to the student account. Each rental book is issued with a unique serial number.    

Purchase textbooks are classified as supplemental books and consumable materials requested by the  instructor.  The printed book list or online order form will indicate if these texts are required or optional. Purchase texts are returnable only until the published deadline listed on the receipt. The original receipt and credit card must be presented for a refund. Purchase books not returned by the textbook return deadline can be sold back to the bookstore at the end and beginning of each semester. The dates and times for Buy Back are published on the calendar tab of the website at https://bookstore.appstate.edu.

If I am a Graduate Student or a Distance Learning Student, do I get rental textbooks?

Graduate students and Distance Learning students do not pay the rental fee are not eligible for the rental program, therefore must purchase textbooks.

If I make changes to my class schedule such as dropping or adding classes, how long does it take for those changes to be reflected on my book list?

Updates come from the Registrar's Office several times a day during the drop-add period.  It is best to wait a few hours after making schedule changes before acquiring a new book list.  You must be officially enrolled in the course, being on "wait list" will not allow you to check out the rental book.

Do I have to wait until the deadline date to return my rental textbooks?

No. Rental textbooks can be returned at any time during the semester.  

Do I have to return my rental textbook in person?

No. Anyone can return rental textbooks, but the individual assigned the rental books is held responsible if the books are not returned by the deadline. Books can also be shipped back to the bookstore by any trackable method (USPS or UPS) as long as they are postmarked by the published return deadline.  All books being shipped back to the bookstore need to include name, banner ID and daytime phone number. Books are to be shipped to Returns Department, University Bookstore, 219 College Street, Boone, NC  28608.

What if there is a book on my syllabus but it is not on my book list from the University Bookstore?

The only textbooks listed on a book list are those for which the instructor has placed a course request.  

What if I do not turn my rental textbooks in on time?

Any rental text not returned by the published deadline will be charged to the student account. This is not a late fee.  The charge issued is the cost of replacing the book. Damaged books that are not in a re-usable condition such as water damaged, broken spines or torn pages may result in the book not be accepted for return.  Any books returned after the published deadline results in half credit being issued to the student account.