Frequently Asked Questions
Buying Questions
Where are you located?
We're located in Birmingham, Alabama inside Innovation Depot, a business incubation facility & program. Our new address is 1500 First Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203. Please note that we can no longer allow book drop-off or pickup at our new location - all orders must be returned or sent in using our prepaid shipping labels.
Should I Buy or Rent?
Read how to decide here.
Are the books really free?
Well, we have to sell some to stay in business, but we do give a lot away for free. Here's how:
- Book refunds based on your order total.
- $5 cashback for referred orders.
- Free stuff, deals, and gift cards via Facebook/Twitter. To stay in the loop, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/freetextbooks
I'm trying to order my books and it's not working, what do I do?
Don't panic. Send us an email to contact@freetextbooks.com. You will receive an email from a real person within an hour or two & we'll figure out the problem. We answer around the clock so don’t worry, we're here to help!
Do you still offer campus delivery?
Yes, but only at Samford University during the first week of classes. If you'd rather have them shipped to campus, we offer free 2-day shipping and $10 overnight.
Are the books you sell in good condition?
Before we buy or sell, all of our books are thoroughly inspected to ensure that they are in good condition. If you are not pleased with the condition of your books, we of course will accept a no-questions-asked return. To get started, please contact us via live chat or at contact@freetextbooks.com.
Are supplemental materials (CDs, access codes, etc.) included with my book?
Supplemental materials are NOT included with books, even if the book title includes a supplement, such as '(w/ CD)' or '(w/ access code)'. We do sell supplements separately, so if you’re searching by course & a course requires a supplement, we should have a separate listing for it. For example, if CHEM 205 requires a WebAssign homework code, then selecting CHEM 205 should show two listings – the book required & the supplement required. As always, should you have questions about a specific book, email us at contact@freetextbooks.com.
What is your shipping policy?
We will always ship via the fastest method possible. For in-stock books, this is typically UPS 2-day, but overnight service is available for $10. For books on order, standard ground shipping typically arrives in 3-4 business days.
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is free, with overnight available for $10 on in-stock books.
Why did my books arrive in an Amazon box?
We use Amazon's fulfillment program to store & ship our inventory. We buy books from universities around the country, then they're sent to an Amazon fulfillment center for storage. Many FreeTextbooks orders are fulfilled from our books there, so they'll arrive in an Amazon box. Please know that rentals should always be returned to us directly, using the prepaid label from your My Account page.
What is your return policy?
We accept returns within 21 days of your order date. We also offer prepaid return shipping labels from FedEx or USPS. Please note that a return postage fee is subtracted from your refund amount, unless the return is due to our mistake.
Do you charge sales tax?
Sales tax is required for orders shipped or delivered within Alabama. We do not collect sales tax for orders shipped to addresses outside Alabama.
I received a textbook in the mail from someone other than FreeTextbooks.com. Is this my textbook?
If we do not have a textbook in stock, we will fulfill the order through one of our merchant partners to ensure fast delivery. The invoice included in your shipment may not reflect the price charged to you. All of our purchase, rental and return terms and conditions still apply.
What if I received a book that is different from what I ordered?
Tell us now via live chat or at contact@freetextbooks.com. We'll fix it immediately!
How long will it take to get my textbooks?
That depends on your shipping method chosen. If UPS 2-day, books arrive 2 days after shipping. Orders received before noon ship same day; orders received after noon ship the next day. This shipping cutoff applies to overnight orders, too. If standard ground, books ship within one day to arrive within 3-4 days.
What should I do if the textbook I received was damaged?
We work hard with our fulfillment partners to ensure that books are in good, used condition. This includes some moderate highlighting and/or writing because if they were new, we'd be charging new prices like the bookstore! If you are ever unhappy with your book's condition, email us & we'll find a quick solution.
↑ TopCashback Questions
How does the free textbooks balance work?
It's really simple. Tell as many people as you can to buy or rent their books at FreeTextbooks. When they order & use your coupon code, you will receive $5 and they'll save $5 off their order.
Can I use my free textbooks balance on any order?
Yes! The idea is to accumulate enough for a free semester, but you can always use it on any order you'd like.
Is there a limit to the free textbooks I can earn?
No :)
↑ TopSelling Questions
Can I sell my books at FreeTextbooks.com?
Of course, as long as they’re in good condition. Please select the 'Sell Books' tab from the homepage & type the ISBNs of the books you'd like to sell. You'll then see an automated quote for how much we can offer for each book. We will also price match any other online buyback offer, and we pay for the shipping via prepaid FedEx or USPS labels.
What condition does my book need to be in in order to sell it back?
Please read the terms at the end of the buyback process, as you must agree that your books are in proper condition before selling. We inspect all books upon receipt in our warehouse.
What is considered a good condition book?
Books in 'good' condition do not have:
- Stains of any kind
- Water damage of any kind
- Missing, torn, loose pages or cover
- Excessive writing, marking or highlighting
- Broken spine or binding
- Any other significant damage that would prevent us from reselling it.
General Questions
How do I change my password?
Click the 'Forgot Password' link on the login screen. You will be emailed instructions to reset your password. Still having problems? Email us at contact@freetextbooks.com
How can I update my account information?
Login & click on 'My Account'. You can edit your shipping address, stored payment method, or any other account info there. Please note: Be sure to update shipping and payment info prior to ordering your books. Your books will be shipped to the address on your order.
I no longer want to receive email updates. How do I change that?
We use MailChimp for email communications. Click the unsubscribe link in any email's footer, or reply with 'unsubscribe' in the subject.
What form of payments do you accept?
We accept credit or debit cards only. We will accept VISA, Master Card, Discover and American Express.
When is my credit card charged?
Your credit card is charge as soon as you confirm payment for your purchase. We immediately process the order, pack your books, and order any books we may need to complete it. Your buy confirmation email should serve as your online receipt.
How do I contact customer service?
Easy! Send an email to contact@freetextbooks.com & we’ll respond within a few hours, day or night.