Frequently Asked Questions
People tend to have a lot of questions pertaining to textbooks. Below are a few frequently asked questions that arise. Please be sure to also check out your textbook tips and buyback tips pages for more pertinent information.
Q: Why should I buy my books at the student union bookstore?
A: The answer is simple - to support Oklahoma State University. Unlike privately-owned bookstores, the Student Union Bookstore is owned an operated by Oklahoma State University. Meaning, all of the monies spent at the Bookstore stay at the university rather than into an individual's private bank account or to an out-of-state corporation. The Bookstore funds many worthwhile programs and services offered by the Student Union. For more information about what the Bookstore supports, please visit our Fast Facts page.
Q: How are textbook
prices determined?
A: Publishers are responsible
for most of the costs associated
with textbooks. There is no
such thing as a “list” price for
textbooks. Publishers sell to the Student Union Bookstore at a wholesale
price, and we set a retail price
that allows enough margin to
cover our costs for shipping
charges, collating the books on
the shelves, salaries, utilities, etc.
Q: What is The Student union bookstore
doing to address the issue of the
high cost of textbooks?
A: Textbook costs are an issue
for students at every university
across the country. The Student Union Bookstore shares your concerns
regarding textbook prices
and we work diligently to find
innovative ways to help manage
your overall investment. Our
strategies include:
- Making more used books available
- Consulting with faculty to
help them understand the
prices of the materials they’re
considering - Educating faculty on the importance of submitting their textbook adoptions on time
- Making textbook buyback days more convenient and worthwhile for students
Q: Why is ordering my
textbooks from an online
retailer risky?
A: We generally advise
against using online and other
non-university affiliated sources for several
reasons. First, your shipment
could be delayed, which could
cause you to fall behind as the
semester begins. Second, you
can’t be sure until your shipment
arrives that the textbooks
you’ve purchased online are the
exact editions specified by your
instructors. Finally, the “lower”
price you might pay online doesn’t
factor in the added costs of sales
tax, shipping and handling, or
the hassle of returning a book
purchased online.
Q: Do I need to buy ALL book
titles listed for my courses?
A: Not necessarily. Check
the
tags on the textbook shelves to
distinguish between titles that are
required and those that are listed
as optional. A careful review of
the course syllabus can also help
you determine the extent of the
reading assigned or when a book
will be used during the course.
Some syllabi are available online
prior to the first class.
Q: How does the “Textbook
Buyback” program work?
A: Buying textbooks back
from students helps us to keep
a robust selection of used books
in stock, and enables us to pay
students 50% of a book’s new
price if the text will be required
by a Oklahoma State course the following
semester. Textbook buyback
runs for almost two weeks at the end
of each semester at several convenient locations on and off campus. We also buy
back textbooks at other times of
the year, but some of the best prices are
paid at the end of each semester.
Q: What is the Student Union Bookstore return policy?
A: You may return a book you don’t need during the first 10 days of spring or fall semester classes (five days of summer classes) for a full refund provided you did not write in the book. No returns will be accepted after a given date. Credit is given according to the initial method of payment. For example, if the textbook was bought on a bursar account, your bursar account will be credited.
Q: How do I charge my purchase on my bursar account?
A: With a valid student ID, you may charge up to $500 of textbooks and educational supplies during the semester. The minimum amount you can charge is $5, and charges are accepted until the last three to four weeks of the semester. All charges are placed on your bursar account, which should be paid off each semester.