Your Guide To
C o l l e g e T e x t b o o k s
Essential information for buying your course materials
1. What books do I need? |
Your professors let us know what books they want to use for their classes. We put this information into our computer, and it is then available on our website and in our stores.
When shopping for your books, be sure to have a copy of your schedule. |
2. How can I get my books? |
Order over the phone
or
Shop in Person
|
|
Portland Bookstore
(207) 780-4070
For Portland,
Gorham, Online, or
Off-Campus books.
96 Falmouth Street
Portland, ME 04101 |
Gorham Bookstore
(207) 780-5476
For Gorham
textbooks Only
37 College Avenue
Gorham, ME 04038
|
Lewiston Bookstore
(207) 753-6520
For Lewiston
textbooks Only
51 Westminster Street
Lewiston, ME 04240
|
|
|
3. Why are books so expensive? |
The initial sticker shock that most new college students experience occurs because they are accustomed to getting their books for free in High School. Also, they are accustomed to paying between $7 and $15 for trade paperback books.
An important thing to remember is that textbooks are not like regular books.
Here's why: A $12.95 book on pet training will help you heel a dog. A $229.00 book on anatomy will help you heal a human. Think about how they help you reach your educational goal. They supplement and enhance classroom instruction, provide a common platform for discussion, offer additional references/perspectives and are excellent review tools. Finally, unlike general books, you can sell your textbooks back to us for cash! |
|
4. How can I save money on my books? |
| Shop early before the used books are gone. Shop savvy and learn to compare prices. Share a book with a friend, but make sure to set the ground rules on who gets it when and for how long. Keep your receipts so you don't get stuck with something you don't need. Don't lend your book out to people you don't trust. Take precautions to keep your books from being stolen so you don't have to buy books a second time. |
5. What If I drop a class? |
Firstly, keep your books in top condition until you are sure you are going to stay in a class. Don't open the shrinkwrap or write in any of your books until you are sure that you will be keeping them. Treat them gently so they don't get ripped or folded. If your book is not in the same condition as it was purchased, you might get less back for it than you paid, or nothing at all.
Secondly, as long as it is still within the return period at the beginning of the Fall or Spring Semester (Summer classes have a different return policy) you may return your book.
***Original Receipts are required for any return.***
It is the student's responsibility to keep their receipts. |
|
6. What is the return policy? |
Refunds can be obtained at any of our three locations, as long as the books were purchased from the USM Bookstores. Refunds are given for the current semester only, within the stated times for the term.
 |
Returns are accepted within the first week of classes during the Fall and Spring Semesters.
After the first week, If you have dropped a class and have books to return, you may do so as long as you have your receipt AND the course drop slip, until the end of the second week of classes
After the 2nd week, no returns are accepted. |
Summer Semester has it's own return policy.
A copy of the return policy should be stapled to your receipts.
Returns must be accompanied by a valid cash register receipt, and new textbooks may be returned for a refund only if they are in new condition. Do not write in any new textbook or open shrink-wrapped packages before attending your first class! If you drop a class or otherwise decide you don't wish to keep a book, we will be unable to refund your money for a new text that has been marked or damaged, or a package which has been opened. Used books must be in the same condition as when purchased. |
7. What do I do with my books
when the semester is over? |
 |
Some books you may want to keep as reference materials in your future profession. Or a book on grammar and punctuation can help you get good grades on all of your future papers. For all of those other books that you do not wish to keep we offer our Textbook Buyback program. |
8. What is Textbook Buyback? |
Students with a photo ID can bring books in anytime and try to sell them in the Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston stores. To get the most money for them, we recommend selling your books during final exam week in December and May. Before the official Buyback begins, posters will be posted around campus with the dates. There will also be an ad in the Free Press
The amount of cash you get depends almost entirely on what books professors have chosen to use for the following semester. The condition of your books matter too; waterdamaged books or books with extremely heavy highlighting might not be bought back. Normal wear and tear is ok, we expect you to use them!
-When a book is going to be used in the following semester, we generally give 50% of the retail price, until we've bought back enough copies. If it came as part of a package, bring in all the pieces if you have them.
-If the book is not going to be used here at USM but has a national demand, we can buy for a textbook wholesaler that will give up to 35% of the retail price.
-If the book is not in demand, we cannot buy it. It is a good idea however, to hold on to these kinds of books and try them again at the next Buyback. If the book is an old edition, we will never be able to buy it. We always have a donation box for no value books if you wish for your book to be sent to a country in need.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
In our stores, the books are arranged alphabetically by department, and then numerically by course number. |
We have a friendly staff who are happy to help you!
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page
FAQ
E-mail us at
bookstore@usm.maine.edu
|
|
| Used books are marked with yellow 'used' spine stickers and bar codes. |
|
|
|
