Shipping policy and methods
When are orders shipped?
All orders are processed and shipped during normal business hours Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, excluding holidays. Estimated ship times are listed below.
| Order Date | Ships in 1-2 business days | Ships in 3-6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Tuesday or Wednesday | Wednesday through Friday |
| Wednesday | Thursday or Friday | Friday through the following Wednesday |
| Friday - Sunday | Monday or Tuesday | Following Tuesday through Friday |
What are the shipping charges, methods, and delivery times?
We offer multiple shipping options so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. To calculate the total time until your order is delivered, please add the time-to-ship found alongside each book's listing to the transit-time assigned to your selected service level. Keep the following equation in mind:
Shipping Rates for Retail Orders
| Service Level | Shipping Charge | Estimated Transit Time* | Qualifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Economy FREE for retail orders over $79! |
$6.89 + $2.99 per book | 3 - 10 Business Days | Available only in the lower 48 contiguous states |
| Standard Ground** (UPS or USPS) |
$10.49 + $3.99 per book | 3 - 6 Business Days | Signature may be required |
Shipping Rates for Marketplace and Rental Orders
| Service Level | Shipping Charge | Estimated Transit Time* | Qualifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Shipping (USPS Media Mail) |
$7.89 per item | 3 - 10 Business Days | All marketplace items |
| Standard Shipping (USPS Priority or UPS Ground) |
$11.49 per item | 3 - 6 Business Days | All marketplace items |
Certain states may assess sales tax on shipping charges, and shipping costs will be reflected
accordingly. Return shipping for rental books is free.
* Please note that the estimated ship time reflects an estimation of the time it will take
to receive your order once it has been shipped. Although these estimates are based on
thousands of historical examples, it is possible that your shipment might take more time than what
is stated here. Shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or military (APO/FPO)
addresses are likely to take longer.
** UPS services to Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico will be subject to a surcharge of $10
plus $2 per book in the order. With the exception of 2nd Day Air and Next Day Air, transit times may
be longer for shipments to these areas.
When are orders shipped for free?
Retail orders:
We offer free Economy
Shipping on orders over $79. This offer is valid even if we are unable to fill your entire order.
Please note that this offer applies only to "retail" books or
other media items sold as "new" or "used". This offer does not apply to marketplace items which are
fulfilled by private sellers.
How many packages will I receive?
In our efforts to provide you with the best possible service we might find it necessary to deliver your order in more than one package, but it would be extremely rare for you to receive more than two packages for an average shipment.
When will I receive a tracking number for my order?
In most cases you will receive a tracking number as soon as your order is shipped. Please note that
Economy Shipping service may only provide a "Delivery Confirmation" number, with limited
tracking information, and that tracking will not be available for all orders. When ordering from the
Marketplace, be on the lookout for our Priority Shippers
– these are our most reliable sellers who
provide tracking information. If a seller does not have this stamp of approval, tracking information
is not guaranteed.
How can I check the status of my order?
You will be able to access information about your order within one business day by clicking on the "Track Your Order" link on our homepage or our customer
service page. Once your order has been shipped we will email you a tracking number, if available, and
you can check the shipping status of your order.
If you experience any difficulty checking your order status on our web site, or if you think
there is a mistake in the status, please send an email, and we
will look into the problem.
Will I need to sign for my order when it is delivered?
No signature is required for Economy Shipping. The shipper will generally leave your shipment in front of your door or with a mail clerk at your residence hall or apartment building. Standard Ground shipments may require a signature, and all Air shipments (2nd Day and Next Day) require a signature for delivery.
What if I drop courses? Can I return books to you?
Use the marketplace to sell back your books, movies and video games! Click here to start selling! If you would like to return a recent order, please follow our Return Policy.