Buying Questions
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 purchases.
- Free stuff, deals, and gift cards on Free Friday. To stay in the loop, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/free_textbooks
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!
How does campus pick-up work?
Currently campus pick-up is only available to students at Samford University. You should have selected a date & time for campus pick-up when ordering. Our Samford pick-up location is normally in front of Vail residence hall.
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, please contact us immediately 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 01 requires an OWL online homework code, then selecting CHEM 205 01 should show two listings – the books & the supplement. 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, most economical method possible. This means that, depending on your ZIP code, we normally ship FedEx Ground or USPS Priority or Media Mail. We choose the best method to get it there in 2-4 days, so for orders that ship further than 100 miles outside Birmingham, AL, we do not use USPS Media Mail.
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is a flat $4.99 for orders less than $200. Shipping is FREE for orders over $200. Shipping is also FREE for buybacks – we send you a prepaid label or reimburse your actual cost.
What is your return policy?
We accept returns within 30 days of your order date. We also offer prepaid return shipping with 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 satisfy your request through one of our fulfillment partners to ensure prompt delivery. The invoice included in your shipment may not reflect the price charged to you. All of our purchase and return terms and conditions still apply.
What if I received a book that is different from what I ordered?
Tell us immediately at contact@freetextbooks.com. We will work out any issues & make sure you’re fully satisfied!
How long will it take to get my textbooks?
Books normally process & ship within 24 hours, but rarely, it can take up to 48 hours to process & ship your items. Once shipped, your books will arrive in 2-4 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.
Cashback Questions
How does the cashback work?
It's actually quite simple. Tell as many people as you can to buy their books at FreeTextbooks. When they order & put your name in the "Referred By" box during checkout, you will receive 5% of their order (minus tax and shipping costs) in CASHBACK!
Is the cashback real money?
Yes! We will send you a check or VISA gift card in the amount of your cashback.
Is there a limit to the cashback I can earn?
You can only earn cashback up to the amount of your own order. Want to make more? Earn bonus milestones and more cashback by applying for our campus rep job. See our "Jobs" page.
How and when do I receive my cashback?
If you refer someone and earn cashback, we must wait 30-days after their order date to release it. This is to ensure that the student does not return their order.
Selling 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?
Reply to an email with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject or follow the unsubscribe link in the email footer & we'll remove you from our list.
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.