Daily Store Buyback

We buy books back from 9:00am – 4:00pm Monday – Friday. Buyback is located at the lower level east counter of the store in the Lory Student Center.

 Buyback for Distance Learning Students

To sell your books back when the class ends, please contact Kris.Townsend@colostate.edu. Kris will be happy to assist you if you wish to sell unwanted books.

 What is textbook buyback?

Textbook buyback is a bookstore-sponsored event that takes place at the end of the term in an effort to recycle titles that will be used in the future. Buyback is a triple-win situation where current students get cash for selling their books, bookstores get in-demand used titles to put on their shelves, and future students are offered money-saving used editions next term. Buying and selling used books benefits everyone involved by cutting costs and reducing the environmental strain of additional textbook printing.

What determines which books are being bought back and how much cash you'll receive for them?

• Whether or not the book is being used next term
• The condition of the book
• Whether or not there is a new edition of the book
• Course enrollment numbers for next term
• Whether or not the book has all of its pieces (CDs, kits, etc., if applicable) - Missing iteims may mean less money
• CSU Bookstore does buy looseleaf textbooks if the book is being used next semester. It will need to be in a binder.

Give me some pricing examples.

If the bookstore needs your book for its own inventory	If the bookstore doesn't need your book, but it is needed nationally:
If you bought your book new, we will pay up to 50%. If you bought it used, we will pay up to 67%, provided that it is in salable condition.	For books not needed on your campus but having national demand, up to 35% of the new book price may be paid. These books are shipped to other universities. Old editions have no value.
Example: If you bought a new book for $100, we will pay you up to $50. If it was used when you bought it and cost $75, we will pay up to $50.	Example: If you bought a new book for $100, we will pay you up to $35.

Why should I sell to the CSU Bookstore?

Recently, private companies and websites have gotten involved in buying back textbooks. These third-part and online buyers claim to give students more money back for their books, but that's not the case, nor does it take into consideration that the payment is not instant, not cash, and that students may have to spend time and money shipping their books to the buyer. Know the deal up front and don't take chances with your money: in terms of buyback payment and service, these third parties can't beat your school's bookstore.

CSU Bookstore	Selling Books to Online Buyers
Cash payment	Yes
On-the-spot payment	Yes
Gyaranteed funds	Yes
Buyer takes book immediately	Yes
Packing and mailing hassle		Yes
Upfront shilling charges		Yes

Before you sell your books, understand all costs and benefits

How do I maximize my buyback dollars?

First and foremost, arrive at buyback early. The longer you wait to sell your books, the greater the chance that the bookstore will already have enough copies and not need yours.

To get the most for your books, make sure they have no:	If your books came as part of a set or package, be sure to bring:
Water damage Writing Excessive damage Missing pages	CDs Study guides Models Workbooks Cassette tapes Lab manuals Practice tests

 

To get the most for your books, make sure they are:

In resable condition In a binder if it is a looseleaf text

Highlighting does not decrease value.

 

Can I sell a book I originally purchased used?

Yes. And whether you originally purchased the book new or used, you will receive the same amount of money at Buyback.

Do you buy study guides or CD-ROMS?

Sometimes. As long as it has an ISBN number the CSU Bookstore can search and you won't miss any opportunities.

What if I bought the book somewhere else or don't have my receipt?

No problem. You do not need a sales receipt to sell your textbooks to us.

Does the previous edition of my text have resale value?

It depends on which edition a professor will use the next semester. If they decide to amd use the old edition, that's what the Bookstore buys. The computer buys based on ISBN so if the book has value, we'll know it.

What if my textbook has no value?

Your text will always have value. The CSU Bookstore works with Books for Development, a non-profit organization that ships textbooks to developing countries. Boxes will be available at each Buyback location to hold any books you wish to donate.

How firm is the price?

The demand for the book is finite and is maintained in real time. The demand decreases instantly every time a student sells a book at the CSU Bookstore during end-of-semester Buyback. To get the best price, sell your book early in the buyback, as soon as you are through using it.

Can I sell back books in any condition?

We want used books; not abused books. We reserve the right to refuse to purchase damaged books or books that are unlikely to be repurchased by other students. Water damage, broken bindings, answers filled in and missing pages or CD's, etc. are some common reasons we are unable to purchase a book.