You’ve just shipped your 5 remaining textbooks to Amazon’s textbook buyback. You’re hoping to get $82 to use towards next semester’s books.
However, about 2 weeks after you submit the textbooks, you are surprised to learn that Amazon has not accepted 2 of the textbooks. They explain that the textbooks you have sent are too materially damaged to resell. In their terms and conditions, you learn that “items that are materially damaged are not eligible for return to you, and may be disposed of by the merchant and may not be returned to you.” Your $82 has now quickly transformed into $50 and you have lost two books that you may have been able to sell elsewhere.
Lesson learned. If you are planning on selling your textbooks back at the end of the semester, you must keep them in “good” condition. If you are renting your textbooks, the supplier may charge you the full selling price if you return a damaged textbook.
In order to keep your textbooks in good, sell-able condition, there are a few rules you must follow.
1. Use a book marker rather than folding pages over to avoid damage.
2. Do not eat/drink near your textbook. One glass of spilled soda can cause page corners to curl and ink to smudge.
3. “Place” rather than throw your textbooks into your book bag. I have been guilty of rushing to leave the classroom and throwing my textbooks in. If a heavier textbook falls inside a smaller one, the pages can become crushed or permanently creased.
4. If you wish to write in the textbook, use a pencil that can be erased. Many buyers will not purchase a textbook that has extensive marginal notes in ink.
5. Minimize highlighting and underlining. Many suppliers will buy back the textbook as long as the highlighting or underlining doesn’t make the text illegible. Only highlight key items for emphasis. In fact, it is difficult to decipher emphasis when you’ve highlighted the entire textbook or nearly every line.
6. Keep your textbooks out of the bathroom. While it may seem like a good idea to bubble bath while reading “Wuthering Heights,” water damage nearly guarantees your textbook is no longer “sell-able.”
7. Never let a friend borrow the textbook. If the friend does not return the textbook or returns it with damage, chances are they will not offer to reimburse you. If they need to see a certain page or chapter, make a photocopy.
8. Avoid leaving textbooks wide open or laying them face down. This can cause the binding to break and the textbook will eventually fall apart.
9. Keep your pets away. Your kitten may think the binding is a scratching post, while your dog may think it is a chew toy.
10. We all know the overly used warning “keep out of reach of children.” However, it is very fitting in this situation. While you want your children to develop a love for books and reading, chances are your Psychology textbook is not the place to start. Provide them with their own age appropriate children books to deflect them from cracking yours open.
While these rules may seem like common sense to students experienced in the market of textbook buybacks, most freshman can be seen eating their lunch while doing their reading assignments.
Also note that many textbook buybacks require the original material be included. The supplemental CDs, DVDs, or any associated media must also be returned. Many places, such as Amazon, will not buy back a textbook if this material is missing.
Often times a simple spill or accident can cause permanent damage to a textbook. If you want to keep your textbooks in good, sell-able condition and receive the highest buyback value, follow these key rules.
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