Textbooks 101 - FAQ's
I WANT TO ORDER MY BOOKS ONLINE. WHAT DO I DO?
You can visit the college store to purchase or rent your textbooks as well as ordering online at www.etowncollegestore.com . For ordering online, use your schedule as a guide to select your courses from the dropdowns. Click on the Compare Prices on Course Materials to see your buying options. We offer the opportunity for you to compare prices with other vendors in addition to purchasing from them through our website. Further instructions on ordering can be found at Step-by-Step Online Ordering.
When you order online you can choose to have books shipped to you for a fee or you can use our pick-up option. The pick-up option means your order will be filled and ready to pick up during move-in week in August. Ordering early means you get first pick of used books, when available. It also eliminates the worries of not having the textbooks you need when you come to campus. NOTE: If you order your books through the College Store, fulfillment of your online order will begin in late July. Your credit card will not be charged until your order is fulfilled. If you want us to hold your books until you come to campus, indicate Pick Up at Store as the shipping option. Student ID is required when you pick up your order.
WHEN IS THE EARLIEST I CAN COME IN TO THE COLLEGE STORE TO PURCHASE OR RENT MY BOOKS?
Our goal is to have our textbook room fully stocked and all textbooks ready to purchase or rent by the first week in August for the Fall term. Spring term textbooks are typically stocked and ready for ordering right before the holiday break.
ARE ALL TEXTBOOKS AVAILABLE USED?
No. Please note that new editions, custom books, lab books, access codes and bundled materials are seldom available used. On other titles, used book quantities might be limited. We strive to find as many used books as possible, and we will make every effort to honor your new or used request but cannot guarantee that your preference will be available for every book.
WHY ARE SOME OF MY BOOKS CHEAPER ONLINE?
There are several reasons. Many books listed on Amazon and other sites can alternate editions of the book you need for class. These books might not have the same content or page numbers as the book you need. Secondly, books might be for sale from students at other schools who no longer need the book. We list the ISBN and complete information online as a service to our students and we now offer a price comparison tool right on our online ordering site. Even if you shop and buy your books elsewhere, please remember the College Store is the only one who guarantees to have the exact textbook you need for your class. We search for used books and buy used copies from students whenever we can. We purchase books year-round at wholesale prices. The best time to sell your books is at Buybacks during finals week at the end of each semester.
HOW MUCH WILL MY TEXTBOOKS COST?
Expenses vary depending upon individual course choices and requirements but expect to spend between $400 and $600 a semester for books and supplies. The College Store accepts cash, checks, financial aid (Student ID card), Visa, MC, Discover or College Store gift cards to pay for textbooks and supplies.