Iowa Central Bookstore F.A.Q.

• How do I submit an order online?
• Can I order textbooks if I am not an Iowa Central Community College Student?
• What is the Iowa Central Bookstore’s return policy?
• What is the Iowa Central Bookstore’s textbook buyback policy?
• Can I use financial aid to pay for my books?
• Do you sell used textbooks?
• How is my order shipped?
• Can I place an order online & pick it up at the campus bookstore?
• Where can I find a list of current textbooks?

How do I submit an order online?

You can submit your order securely via this website.  An email confirmation will be sent directly to the email address on your account to ensure your order has been received.

For assistance in placing an order:
Call the Online Bookstore at 515-574-1082 or 1-800-362-2793 ext. 1082 during regular business hours.  You can also click on the “Customer Care” section of the website to submit your questions.

How can international orders be placed?
International orders are shipped via USPS and the cost varies based upon the location the package is being sent to, weight and size of the package.  You will be given credit for the initial $11.50 shipping charge you pay in the online checkout process.  You must also contact the Online Bookstore by phone (1-800-362-2793 ext. 1082 or 515-574-1082), or via email (OnlineBookstore@IowaCentral.edu) with your charge card information to pay for the additional shipping cost before your order will be shipped.  Call or email the bookstore for more information.

When should I order my textbooks?
Each semester new textbooks or editions are added to our list of books as older versions are deleted.  Therefore, in order to prevent ordering the wrong book or edition, orders should be placed no earlier than two weeks prior to the start of a semester.

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Can I order textbooks if I am not an Iowa Central Community College Student?

• No. Because of limited stock on some textbooks, we are only able to sell textbooks to Iowa Central Students.

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What is the Iowa Central Bookstore's return policy?

• In order to receive a full refund for your textbook it must be RECEIVED BY the Iowa Central Bookstore within fourteen calendar days of your course start date.  Books received after this timeframe will be processed as a buyback (see below).
• Books must include a copy of the refund/buyback form. Click here to download the form (.doc)
• Books must be returned in the same condition as when purchased, i.e. plastic shrink-wrap unopened, no writing in books, etc.
• Upon arrival of shipment, charges are refunded to the student account used for payment.
• Shipping charges will not be refunded.

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What is the Iowa Central Bookstore's textbook buyback policy?

• You will receive 50% of the purchase price if the book qualifies for buyback*.
• Books must include a copy of the refund/buyback form.  If possible, include a copy of your original receipt.  (It is recommended that you keep a copy of these forms for your own records.)
• Books must be returned in resalable condition – no broken spines, missing pages or water damage.
• The Iowa Central Bookstore does not buy back the following:  DVD’s, CD’s, workbooks, old editions or access codes.
• Shipping charges will not be refunded.

 
*To determine if a book is eligible for buyback:
Send an email to Kim Jackson, jackson_k@iowacentral.edu, and include the following:

• Your name
• Course number
• Title and edition of textbook

You will receive a response to your email indicating whether or not your textbook is eligible for buyback.

Shipping Instructions:

Complete the refund/buyback form and enclose it with your return, along with a copy of your original receipt if possible.  Repackage your item(s) in the original packaging or in an appropriate cardboard box. Using packing material (e.g. Styrofoam peanuts, bubble wrap, etc), pack and tape your package securely. Select a carrier that offers you the option to insure and track your package, such as UPS, FedEx, or USPS. Insuring and tracking your package protects you as the shipper and helps ensure your shipment goes to the correct destination in the same condition it was when you sent it. No credit is given for lost or damaged packages in route to Iowa Central Bookstore. 
Ship your return to the following address:

Attn: Returns Department
Iowa Central Online Bookstore
One Triton Circle
Fort Dodge, IA 50501

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Can I use financial aid to pay for my books?

Yes. If you would like to order textbooks and have them charged to your student aid, send an email from your Iowa Central Student Email Account* to jackson_k@iowacentral.edu, and include the following information:

1. Your name and student ID#, or your Social Security # if you do not know your id
2. Your shipping address
3. A list of course numbers and textbook titles that you need textbooks for 
4. A statement requesting to have your order applied to your student aid account

Once I have your order put together, I will respond to your email with your tracking information and order total, including a shipping and handling charge of $11.50.

*For security reasons, requests MUST be submitted via your Iowa Central Student Email Account.  If you do not know how to access your email account in TritonPass, please contact the help desk at 515-574-1111.

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Do you offer sell used textbooks?

Yes. Our goal at Iowa Central is to ensure that all students are able to obtain the course materials they need at reasonable prices.  We continually update our website to reflect the available textbooks for sale, including both used and new books.

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How is my order shipped?

The Iowa Central Bookstore is proud of our quick and efficient shipping procedures.  Orders placed online are typically shipped out the same day via UPS.  Orders placed after 3 p.m. Central Time will be processed the following business day.  An email confirmation, including a UPS tracking number, will be sent directly to the email address on your account so that you can track the progress of your order.

On average, your order should be received within 4-8 working days from the time that it is processed.  During August, December, and around holidays delivery time may take longer. 

Please refer to the map below for average delivery times to your location.

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Can I place an order online & pick it up at the campus bookstore?

Yes. You also have the option to order your textbooks online and pick them up at the Campus Bookstore.  In the Checkout section, choose Local Pickup from the Ship By drop-down menu.  For a $2.95 handling fee, your order will be gathered and ready for you to pick up.  Purchases must be picked up within 2 business days.

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Where can I find a list of current textbooks?

A list of all current textbooks by semester, including title, new/used pricing and ISBN information can be found on the Iowa Central Online Bookstore Homepage.

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