St. Olaf Bookstore | Big Package FAQ

The Big Package! Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a question below to see the answer, or just scroll down the screen to see all of the information.

What is the Big Package?
How do I order the Big Package?
When will my credit card be charged?
If I order the Big Package, can I return it?
What if the professor decides not to use the book?
It says a book's price is $0.00 or $0.01. Does that mean I can't buy it?
Is the price listed for the Big Package reliable?
What if I want the discount, but I want my books before the start of the term?
Can I get the discount if I only need some of the books for a class?
What if I don't like the used copy you give me?
Where and when do I pick up my books?
What is your textbook return policy?
What are you guys getting out of this?
What am I agreeing to when I buy my textbooks online?

What is the Big Package?
It's a special bonus to students. Here's what you get:

All the required books for any course at a 5% discount.*
The best used books available (while supplies last, if you select the Used Big Package).
Convenience! No waiting in line at the beginning of the term. Your textbooks are already paid for and gathered for you — you just need to pick them up.

* Please note that the listed prices are subject to change, based on used book availability.

How do I order the Big Package?
Select "The Big Package" from the book list for your course or courses. Order it with your credit card before the beginning of the term.

When will my credit card be charged?
Your credit card won't actually be charged until we assemble all of the books you have ordered. This typically is no earlier than one week before classes begin.

If I order the Big Package, can I return it?
Yes. You can return the whole set just like any other book, during the drop/add period. If you want to return just one book of a package, the discount will no longer apply (and you might not save any money).

What if the professor decides not to use a book?
If the professor tells us, then it will no longer be considered part of the Big Package, and you can expect a full discount.

It says a book's price is $0.00 or $0.01. Does this mean I can't buy it?
No. I just means the book hasn't arrived yet, so we don't know what the price is. You can still add it to your order, and when it arrives, we'll include it with your Big Package.

Is the price listed for the Big Package reliable?
Not necessarily. If we haven't received the book yet, we don't know that the price might have changed. Also, since quantities of used books are limited, we may have to give you a new book (and charge you accordingly). If we have used books, we will always give you one first, as long as you indicate "Used" as your preference..

What if I want the discount, but I want my books before the start of the term?
Currently, the Big Package deal is designed for you to pick up at the beginning of the term. If you need your books over break, you can ask us to ship your order (you will be charged our standard shipping and handling). However, because many of our textbook shipments don't arrive until close to the beginning of the term, your order may not be shipped until well after you place your order.

Can I get the discount if I only need some of the books for a class?
Nope. However, sometimes buying the Big Package will be cheaper than buying all but one of the books at the regular price.

What if I don't like the used copy you give me?
You are always welcome (during the regular returns period) to exchange your book for a more desirable copy that we have in stock. If you want a new copy, you can also get the discount on the difference in price.

Where and when do I pick up my books?
Signs will be posted in the Bookstore during the first few days of class.

What is your textbook return policy?
A receipt is required to return any textbook.

Any textbook for the current term may be returned or exchanged for 3 weekdays following the day of purchase or with a signed drop/add slip until the end of the sixth week of the term. After the end of the sixth week, we can accept no returns.

Both new and used books are returnable. New textbooks must be returned in mint condition with no markings. Wrapped textbook packages are not eligible for return once opened.

If you return a title from a Big Package order, your entire 5% discount on the remaining titles will be forfeited.

If you placed a textbook order by mail for delivery your home or business address and received the wrong title, please contact us via email at orders@collegebookstore.org.

What are you guys getting out of this?
Nothing really, except happier customers. You like shopping on the Web, right? In an increasingly competitive book market, we'd like you to know that we're doing what we can to keep you contented.

What am I agreeing to when I buy my textbooks online?
When you purchase your textbooks online and/or receive the Big Package offering, you are agreeing to the following:

While shopping for textbooks on this website, when you select "Used" or "New" for any specific title or Big Package, you are only expressing your preference if both versions are available. Due to the fluctuating nature of textbook inventory, not every title is available in both a new and used version; quantities of each type may be limited. In the event that a title is not available in the version you have selected, we will automatically substitute a copy of the available version for you.

All listed prices are subject to change without notice. The total confirmed price you receive for your textbook order is NOT a guaranteed price, and may not be what you are charged on your credit card. Publishers and wholesalers can and often do change prices without prior notice. Because of this, quoted prices are not guaranteed. Some textbooks are currently listed with a price of $0.00 or $0.01. In this case, we don't yet know the textbook's price. We will charge your credit card for the actual price when we pull the textbook for your order.

Your credit card is not charged until we pull your textbooks shortly before the pick-up date. Because we may not know the used and new title availablity, as well as each textbook's price until the term starts, we do not charge your credit card until we have the books in hand and are sure of the total price.

All textbooks ordered before the Big Package cutoff date will NOT be shipped — they will not be available until the listed pickup date and time. Textbooks ordered after the order cutoff date will not be processed in time to pick up at the beginning of the term. If you have not ordered by the deadline listed, you would be better served at the Bookstore purchasing your textbooks in person. If you are not a current St. Olaf student and would like to order textbooks prior to the cutoff date and have the textbooks shipped, to ensure availability please call our store directly to place your order on our toll-free number (888-232-6523).