Cash for Books

Cash for Books - How It Works

The Mercyhurst University Bookstores buy back books at the end of the Fall term and Spring term during finals week.

Next Scheduled Buyback:

Monday, May 6th - Friday, May 12th

At both Erie and North East Bookstores 

Q:  What is Cash for Books?

A:  Cash for Books, or Buyback, is an opportunity to sell your unwanted textbooks for cash.
The Mercyhurst University Bookstores hold a major buyback at the end of each Fall and Spring semester.

At the Mercyhurst University Bookstores, we pay you the most cash for books being used here at Mercyhurst for the upcoming semester.


Course Materials Orders: If an instructor has requested your textbook for next term then the value increases. Generally speaking, textbooks will be purchased until we reach our needed quantity for the next semester.

Condition: We only buy back books in resalable condition. (Missing pages, water damage, mold, broken binding, etc. are not acceptable buyback conditions.)You can highlight and write in the book. This will not change the price you receive for it.


Q:   Where can I sell back my books?  
A:  Right in the Mercyhurst Bookstores.

A:   No, you can just bring your textbooks to Mercyhurst Bookstore.

Q:  What is an ISBN?
A:  The ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a thirteen-digit code used to identify a book. (Example:  978-0-32168650-3)  Each book has it's own ISBN. You can find the ISBN on the back of a book near the barcode or on the copyright page.
Q:   How are cash for books prices determined?
A:   When we know the instructor plans to use the book next semester, and we don't already have enough on hand, we will pay a premium price up to the quantity we need., even when there is no national wholesale price for a book, which usually happens with old editions and custom books, The Mercyhurst Bookstore will often still buy back old editions that have been re-ordered by faculty for the next term. Old editions do not generally have as great a buyback value as current editions.

Q:  Can I sell back loose-leaf textbooks?
A:  Yes! The Mercyhurst Bookstore has been buying back loose-leaf textbooks for many years.  Just like any other buyback, if the loose-leaf book has been re-ordered by faculty for the upcoming semester and we don’t already have too many copies, we will buy it back.  Please note that loose-leaf textbooks must be complete including both covers (no missing pages), and they must be sold back in a 3-ring binder.

Q:   What if the book isn't being used at Mercyhurst next semester?
A:   When a title isn't being used on our campus next semester, or if we already have enough copies, it is sold to a national used book wholesaler as a convenience to students.  We're now partnering with several different vendors instead of just one to get you the MOST cash for your books!


A:   Books that go out of print no longer have any market value. We can only buy back books that we will be able to sell, either here in the store next term or to a wholesaler. Even when there is no national wholesale price for a book, which happens with old editions, The Mercyhurst Bookstore will often still buy back old editions that have been re-ordered by faculty for the next term.  Old editions do not generally have as great a buyback value as current editions.

A:   We have reached our buyback quantity limit.  Once we hit our needed quantity for a book here at Mercyhurst, we start buying the same book at a wholesale value. The books bought back at the lower wholesale prices are actually being purchased to be sent to other textbook companies for resale to other students, colleges, & universities.  The Mercyhurst Bookstore does not keep the books that are purchased at wholesale price.

A:   Books being used here at Mercyhurst next term will be sold to Mercyhurst students here at Bookstore. Books that are not being used here at Mercyhurst --or those of which we have too many copies--are sent to other textbook companies for use across the country.

A:   Wholesale prices range from 0 to about 30% of retail.  It is basic supply and demand - the newer a book and therefore the greater the market demand, the higher the wholesale value for that book; the older a book and the lower the demand, the lower the wholesale value.  The amount you get is less because the wholesale company buying it is going to sell it to another bookstore, who in turn will sell it to a student on their campus. 

Q:   How do the used book companies determine market value?

Q:   The professor said she was going to use this book again next semester. Why can't I sell it back?
A:   Even if she said that in class, if the instructor hasn't yet indicated to the bookstore that she plans to use this book again next semester, we cannot yet buy it back. Once we do receive an order for that book from the professor, we will then be able to add the book to our buyback list, assuming we need additional copies of it.  Ask your professor if she has sent her textbook order to the bookstore.  Also, some books just cannot be re-sold as used.  These include eBooks or any packages that contain eBooks/access codes, workbooks, or other books with tear-out or fill-in pages.  Unfortunately, access codes can only be used by one person.  Once they have been opened, they can't be re-sold.

Q:   Last semester, I sold a book back to you for the wholesale price and it was on the shelf this semester. What happened?