BooksTextbooks
Textbook FAQs
How do I buy textbooks/course materials online?
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  1. From the TritonLink home page go to the Tools menu and click "Classes/Wait Lists", then login, click "Order My Books," and proceed with the shopping process.
  2. From the UCSD Bookstore web site click "Buy your books online with TxtXpress," and proceed with the shopping process.
What if there are multiple versions of the same text (IMPORTANT INFORMATION)?
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Sometimes textbooks/course materials or other course materials are available in different formats (cassette versus CD) or in various combinations (text-only versus text/study guide package, or what we call a "bundle"). If you see more than one listing of the same book you need to buy only one version. Title listings beginning with a single asterisk indicate the book is accompanied by a CD, cassette, etc. Title listings beginning with an asterisk and number (e.g., *2) indicate textbook bundles which contain a book and separate software, language program cassettes, etc., or which contain more than one book, such as a textbook and a study guide. Book bundles are usually priced below the combined prices of each component and/or carry a special promotional discount. Furthermore, for shipping purposes bundles count as one book.
Will I receive a confirmation?
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After you place your order you will see a screen headed "Order Confirmation." Your order number appears at the top, along with contact information. Print this screen for your records. You will also receive an email message confirming your order and containing a web link to the "Order Placed" screen.
How do I finalize my order?
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After you have clicked "Proceed to Checkout" you will see the "Check-Out" screen. Fill in the Billing Information area (and Shipping Information if different). All fields are required.

NOTE: We cannot ship to a P. O. Box.

Please enter a street address if you want your books shipped to you.

Select the delivery method, using the drop-down box. There are two options:
  1. Your order can be held in the Bookstore on the main campus (no charge).
  2. Your order can be shipped via FedEx Ground (see chart below).

If you select FedEx Ground, click the "Save Changes to Order" button to see the shipping charges.

Shipping Charges Chart (FedEx Ground)
1 title (text or text bundle): $6.50
Each additional text or bundle: $0.50

The "Current Order" section displays the textbooks/course materials you previously selected for purchase. If you want to purchase additional items click the "Resume Shopping" button.

Making Changes: If you want to delete any titles type a zero in the quantity ("Qty" box). If you want to purchase more than one copy of a title change the quantity for that title. If you want to change the condition (new/used) for any title that has the new/used drop-down box, do so. After any such change click the "Save Changes to Order" button. Your revised order will be saved and displayed.

Under "Payment Information" select "Credit Card," "UCSD Index Number" (for University departments only), Student Account, or Triton Plus. Enter your account or index number, plus expiration date if you are paying by credit card. The UCSD Bookstore accepts the following credit cards: American Express, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa. If you select Rehab/Corporate Account, enter the agency or corporate (business) name; the Bookstore will call you if we have any questions about your rehab or corporate account. If you select Student Account or Triton Plus, enter your UCSD ID number.

There is a free-form Comment field in which you may type any message you wish to accompany your on-line order.

Clicking the "Reset Form" button will undo only the changes you have made on the Check-Out screen since the last time you saved changes or pressed "Continue."

When you are done, click "Continue." You will see a screen headed "Review Your Order."

Please carefully review the information on this screen. If there are any errors or if you want to remove a line item, click "Correct Order." You will be taken back to the "Check-Out" screen.

If you want to add to your shopping list, click "Resume Shopping." If there are any errors or if you want to remove a line item, click "Correct Order." You may print this screen, but your order has not yet been sent to the Bookstore.

If the information is correct, click "Place Order." This action will send your order to the UCSD Bookstore where it will be processed for pick-up or FedEx Ground delivery according to your selection. Your order will also be time- and date-stamped (see "UCSD Bookstore's Fulfillment Guarantee" two sections below). Your order as transmitted will be displayed on a new screen under the heading "Order Placed."

When will my order be shipped or available for pick-up?
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Ground shipping: Our goal is to have all orders shipped by 5 p.m., on the second "weekday" following the placing of your order. "Weekdays" are Mondays through Fridays, excluding UCSD Holidays.

Pick-up in the campus Bookstore: Our goal is to have all orders available for pick-up by 3:00 p.m. on the second "business day" following the placing of your order. "Business days" are Sundays through Saturdays, excluding UCSD Holidays.

Standard remote delivery: Our goal is to meet the delivery schedule listed in the "Pick-Up Summary Chart Below.

GROUND SHIPPING & PICK-UP SUMMARY CHART
If you place your order
before midnight on
It will be shipped
by 5 p.m.:
OR available for pick-up after 3 p.m. (Campus Bookstore)
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Monday
Tuesday
Tuesday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday

NOTE ON PICK-UP TIMES: Your order will not be available for pick-up on the same day you placed the order.

NOTE ON RE-SHELVING ORDERS: Orders held for pick-up will be returned to stock and the charges reversed if they are not picked up by 5 p.m. on the Tuesday of first week, unless prior arrangements are made. You may use the "Comments" field to request a longer period of time.

What if I want to buy my textbooks/course materials in person?
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By all means, please visit us on the La Jolla campus. Hours of operation.
How does the Bookstore decide which books to order?
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Instructors select the books used in their classes. It is the Course Material Department's responsibility to provide copies of those books, as well as additional materials which may help you in your studies. The Bookstore's General, Technical, and Reference Department, also located on the first floor, carries many additional titles that can supplement or augment the material you are studying.
What about used books?
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Used books are books we buy back from students or national book wholesalers. They may be slightly worn but are normally in good condition. We are careful not to purchase used books that are torn, water damaged, heavily highlighted, or missing pages. Used books are very desirable because they are often cheaper than new books. We buy as many used book as possible however they may not be available for all classes.
What about recommended (optional) books?
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It's not unusual for an instructor to select several books for a class, with one or more designated as "Optional", or "Recommended." The instructor places value on all books. We suggest you go to class before buying recommended books.
Can textbooks/course materials be returned?
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Yes. In general, you can return textbooks/course materials during the first two weeks of the current quarter for refund, exchange, or credit. The books must be in saleable condition, so don't write in your new textbooks/course materials or otherwise mark or soil them until you're sure you'll keep them. And you'll need your cash register receipt. Please review our complete return/refund policy.
How are new and used textbooks/course materials priced?
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Textbook prices are set by publishers. The UCSD Bookstore's price reflects the book's cost from the publisher plus the national standard margin for new textbooks/course materials--a margin considerably lower than that of most consumer items you purchase. Used textbooks/course materials are priced at 75% of the new price. For example, if a new book sells for $60, the price of a used copy is $45.
What happens to the UCSD Bookstore's profits?
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Although the Bookstore is a non-profit entity, we have the same direct and indirect expenses as any retail business. The Bookstore is owned by UCSD and the profits are used to pay occupancy expenses, to compensate UCSD for indirect and administrative overhead, and to reserve funds for equipment replacement and future growth. Student fees are not used to subsidize the operation of the Bookstore.
How can the Bookstore help students save on textbooks/course materials?
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The UCSD Bookstore discounts hundreds of new titles each quarter, including most pre-priced books (those with the price printed on the book). These discount prices will be displayed when you look up or purchase your books on-line. On the sales floor, discounted prices are indicated with bright yellow signs.
What is Textbook Sellback?
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Books that will be used again for courses at UCSD may be eligible to be "sold back" to the Bookstore. The Bookstore may purchase these lightly used books for cash paid to you that day. This process happens at least once every quarter. Please check the Bookstore web site or visit the campus store to get exact days and times.

Is someone allowed to pick-up textbooks/course materials for someone else?
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Yes, but they have to authorize it ahead of time, for instance in the comment box on the on-line order form or by calling Customer Service (858.534.7326) so they can mark the paperwork accordingly.
Will I get all the books in my cart?
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Our goal is to fulfill your order as completely as possible. Our inventory is updated nightly, not in real time. Therefore, books displayed as "available" on the website may not be in stock due to prior sale on the day your order is placed. New books will be processed if no used books are available. You will only be charged for books that are in stock and fulfilled.