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What will my textbooks cost?
A full-time student, on average, should plan on spending between $450-$550 per semester for textbooks. Fortunately, New York State and Broome County have waived the sales tax on textbooks and that means when you purchase your books at BCC you save 8%! That may not sound like a lot, but 8% on a $400 purchase is a savings of $32.00!
Why are textbooks so expensive?
Without question, textbooks are expensive and like everything else, they continue to get more expensive every year.
Until a student goes to college, textbooks are often free. If it is the first time you have ever purchased a textbook, the price will probably be a shock. If your only experience with buying a book is paying $12.95 for a paperback novel or $34.95 for a hardcover book that you really want to read, then watching a textbook scan up at $90.00 or more will come as quite a surprise! But textbooks are not produced in the same way as your typical tradebook title. Textbooks have vast amounts of research, technology that changes at the blink of an eye, medical advances that have to be updated and included in new editions, expensive drawings, charts, diagrams and multi-color graphics and pictures. Textbook prices reflect real costs.
We maintain the most complete inventory of course-required BCC textbooks possible...we have the right books, at the right place, at the right time. When you purchase your textbooks from the BCC Bookstore you make the right choice. When you think about it...textbooks are a good value. You will learn a great deal from them, they are your "tools for success" and represent a part of the investment you will make in your education and your future.
The Bookstore must make a ton of money on textbooks sales!!
An expensive textbook, surprisingly, does not equate to a large profit for the Bookstore. It’s important to realize that for every dollar you spend, nearly 80 cents goes to the publisher, the author(s) and freight carriers to cover production and shipping costs. The Bookstore makes about 20 cents on the dollar and out of that portion we pay all of the payroll and operating expenses associated with the operation of a college bookstore.
It is important to realize that once we pay our operating expenses, the BCC Bookstore "gives back" to the college community all remaining proceeds to support a multitude of college enhancement activities.
How can I save money on textbook costs?
Many students prefer to purchase used textbooks rather than new. This is one way a student can save money on textbook purchases. The BCC Bookstore carries a large selection of used textbooks which sell for 25% less than new textbooks. This provides you, our customer, with an option and an opportunity to save some money.
Although we secure as many used titles as we can from students and companies whose primary business is selling used textbooks to college stores, it is impossible to carry all the used books customers want and need. Therefore, if you are interested in purchasing used books, shop early to take advantage of the greatest availability of stock.
What is a textbook buyback program?
The BCC Bookstore offers a textbook buyback service throughout the year. This is an opportunity for students to recover a portion of their educational costs by selling back textbooks they do not want to keep for future reference. When you sell back your books you provide other students with an opportunity to defray some of their textbook expense. Students are our best source for used textbooks and we prefer to purchase them from you rather than from a used book dealer.
However, not every book has a buyback value. How much money you receive depends on several factors, including:
• General condition of book
• Edition
• Current store inventory
• National demand
• Time of year
• Professor’s orders for next semester
If we have received an order from a department for the next semester and your textbook is going to be used again, we will pay up to 50% for your used textbook until we fill the quantity that we need. If we have not received an order for the next semester your book may still have value.
If your book is a current edition and we have not received an order for it, our buyback computer will check the database of national used book wholesalers to see if they have a value for the book. If your title is listed, the used book wholesaler will usually pay 15-20% of the retail price. It is important to realize that these books are not kept on campus. At the end of our buyback, books bought at these prices are boxed up and shipped to that wholesaler for resale.
Generally speaking, the highest buyback value of textbooks is at the conclusion of each semester when the Bookstore is buying for the next semester. The buyback price is primarily determined by whether the book is being using in the upcoming semester. Buyback is driven by professor’s book orders. The academic department and professor are the most important components in determining what will be bought back at buyback for resale in the Bookstore. We do not choose the books used in courses at BCC therefore, professor orders must reach us before the semester-end buyback so that we can put their books on our list.
Where is the buyback located?
• BCC Campus Services Building
Daily Buyback is conducted in the BCC Bookstore Textbook Department, Campus Services Building.
Semester-End Buyback is conducted in the BCC Bookstore Textbook Department, Campus Services Building.
When is semester-end buyback?
• Usually, the last 3 days of classes through the last day of the exam period.
• Watch for posters advertising buyback for times and location.
Will I need my register receipt to sell back books?
• No, your receipt is not needed. However, the books must be in good condition. The covers must be intact and no pages can be missing.
Does the Bookstore choose the textbooks it sells?
Actually, we don’t. Textbooks are selected by academic departments and the professors who teach the courses at BCC. As the departments and professors submit adoptions, the store orders the books that are requested.
How do you determine the books you will need for your course(s)?
Based on the textbooks selected and ordered by the academic departments and professors, the BCC Bookstore compiles a listing which references in alphabetic course order, the required and optional book(s) and supplies requested for your course. The list is posted in the hallway of the Campus Services Building prior to the beginning of sales. Please refer to the Bookstore extended hours for the exact date of each semester or session.
• Bring your printed class schedule with you, it will make it much easier to find your course and the books you need on the list.
Does the Bookstore sometimes run out of or not have a book for a course?
As a community college, we respond to the needs of the community. On occasion you may find that we do not have the book for your course or perhaps we have run out of it. The reasons for this vary, but are usually due to:
• The publisher is out-of-stock.
• The college has responded to an increased need for a particular course by adding a section during late registration, the week before classes begin. If this happens, the order for this course comes in just before the semester starts and we have to rush books in.
• The professor has changed and is not using the same books as the originally scheduled instructor. This most often happens at the last minute during late registration.
• Honest mistakes.
Whatever the case may be, we make every effort to get the books in as quickly as possible and with as little inconvenience to the student as possible.
Protecting your textbook investment...
General Information
How can I pay for my purchases?
You may pay for your purchases with:
• Cash, Check, Traveler’s Check or Money Order
• Mastercard, Visa, or Discover
Paying by check?
We will accept personal checks with one of the following forms of picture identification:
- Driver’s License
- Student ID
- Passport
- Sheriff’s ID
- Employment ID
- State ID
In addition:
• Your address, date of birth, and phone number are required.
• Checks must be made out for the exact amount of purchase.
• Returned checks are subject to a $30.00 collection charge.
We will accept a parent check with the following information:
• The check must be signed by the parent. If the last name on the check is not the same as the student, please provide a note (with parent signature) giving the store permission to accept the check. If necessary, we will call to verify the permission.
• The student will need their own personal identification and will sign beneath the parent signature on the check.
Paying By Credit Card?
We will accept:
• Mastercard
• Visa
• Discover
We will accept a parent credit card with the following information:
• The credit card must be signed by the parent. Please provide a note (with parent signature) giving the store permission to accept the credit card. The parent address and phone number must also be included on the note. If necessary we will call to verify permission.
• The student will need their own personal identification and will sign the credit card receipt..
Other Services...
• We can order any title that is currently in print. There is no transportation charge. Books usually arrive within a week.
• We sell postage stamps and there is a mailbox right in front of the Student Center building.
• The F-SA provides the vending services and coin operated copiers on campus.
• We can Fax anything, anywhere! Inquire in the textbook department for current cost.
Some important information about our Returns Policy
When it comes to returning a book or supply for an exchange or refund, we do not like to say no, and you certainly do not like to hear it. Help us help you by being aware of the terms and conditions of the Returns Policies.
• KEEP YOUR CASH REGISTER RECEIPTS!!
On occasion, you may need to make a return or an adjustment. At the time of purchase, you will be given a copy of the BCC Bookstore Returns Policies. We encourage you to read them, it really is in your best interest to do so.
IMPORTANT . . .
• YOU NEED YOUR CASH REGISTER RECEIPT TO MAKE AN EXCHANGE OR RETURN! Without exception, the proper cash register receipt must be presented to make a return or exchange.
• Be aware of the number of days you have to make a return--the time limits do vary based on the semester or session of purchase.
• Keep your new books in new condition--new books must be in perfect, resalable condition (free from writing, highlighting, dirt, or damage) to receive a 100% refund.
• Some sales are made on a non-returnable, non-refundable basis.
• Shrink-wrapped packages cannot be returned if they have been opened.
• Software packages that are opened cannot be returned.
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We'd like to hear from you! Do you have a problem, question or suggestion? 
