Discount and Purchasing Tool for Course Books: Frequently Asked Questions
General questions about the purchasing tool
When does the new purchasing tool become available?
How can I access the new purchasing tool?
Why is this project being implemented?
Where were course reading materials previously listed?
How does this initiative benefit students?
How does this initiative benefit the University?
How does this initiative benefit Labyrinth Books?
Questions about the discount
Who is eligible for the 30 percent discount?
Will the 30 percent off apply to in-store textbook purchases as well, or only online sales from Labyrinth through the University's course book purchasing site?
Will the former 10 percent discount for members still apply?
Does the discount apply to new and used books?
Does the discount apply to both graduate and undergraduate courses?
Does the discount apply to recommended titles?
Does the discount apply to course materials other than course books?
I'm an auditor — can I get a discount?
Questions about the course book purchasing site
How current is the course book information on the site?
What happens once I click "proceed to checkout"?
Questions about placing course book orders
I am an incoming freshman trying to order books online before having registered. How do I place my order?
Does Labyrinth deliver course books to the dorm?
Is sales tax factored into the price of my books?
Can I still buy my books elsewhere?
Will I be notified once my order is ready?
How much time do I have to pick up my order — can I put books on hold?
How do I pick up my books?
What if I want to cancel my order after I check out?
Is there a way to track my order?
Once I place my order, how can I add more books?
Can anyone else pick up my order if they know my name?
Questions about book returns and buyback
What is Labyrinth's course book return policy?
How does Labyrinth's buyback program work?
Answers to general questions about the purchasing tool
When does the new purchasing tool become available?
Lists of required and recommended readings for the spring 2012 semester are available on January 23. Classes begin on February 6. [Back to top]
How can I access the new purchasing tool?
Students can access the new purchasing tool through Course Offerings or via Course Sites on Blackboard. [Back to top]
Why is this project being implemented?
To address growing concerns regarding the affordability of course books, the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 requires colleges and universities to provide students with pricing and other information for required and recommended course books and related materials.
On September 1, 2011, Princeton introduced a new software tool that provides its students with even more purchasing information and functionality than is required under the act. The new software tool also enhances the process by which faculty members submit book orders and reading lists for their classes and seminars. [Back to top]
Where were course reading materials previously listed?
Previously, course reading lists were disseminated to students in a variety of ways: entered in Blackboard, provided via email and included in hard-copy syllabi. Reading lists also were published on the Labyrinth website and made available for viewing in binders in the store a few days before the start of classes. The new purchasing tool provides a single place where all faculty members enter the reading list information for their classes. The lists are then researched and finalized by bookstore staff members. [Back to top]
How does this initiative benefit students?
Students benefit by having a single, convenient place where required and recommended readings are listed. They will be able to order their new and used books online for 30 percent off the retail price, and pick them up across the street at Labyrinth the same day. The 30 percent discount is limited to one copy per title. Other benefits to students include:
- easy returns and exchanges
- guaranteed buyback based on a percent of the full retail price, not the discounted price the students paid for their books
- the ability to use student charge, in addition to Paw Points, credit card, check or cash
- free membership with 15 percent discounts on non-textbook purchases
- assistance from knowledgeable and friendly staff
[Back to top]
How does this initiative benefit the University?
The course book initiative ensures that the University complies with the Higher Education Opportunity Act, and provides a single, convenient place for faculty and students where required and recommended readings are listed. The program with Labyrinth streamlines the purchasing process for students and provides them with course books at a discount. It also could contribute to sustainability efforts at the University, if it results — as expected — in fewer packages being delivered on campus. [Back to top]
How does this initiative benefit Labyrinth Books?
It is anticipated that Labyrinth could benefit from this program through an increased volume of business for the store, the revenue from which could be used to help ensure that the store continues to flourish in the Princeton community. [Back to top]
Answers to questions about the discount
Who is eligible for the 30 percent discount?
Princeton University students eligible for textbook discount program at Labyrinth Books are:
- regularly enrolled, full-time, degree-seeking graduate and undergraduate students
- international exchange students enrolled in Princeton courses on a full-time basis
- post graduation students in the Program in Teacher Preparation.
These students may purchase books under the plan only for use in Princeton University courses, and the 30 percent discount is limited to one copy per title. [Back to top]
Will the 30 percent off apply to in-store textbook purchases as well, or only online sales from Labyrinth through the University's course book purchasing site?
The 30 percent discount will be available to eligible students and will apply to both online and in-store purchases. Students will be able to simply click to place their orders. Labyrinth staff will bundle the books students order online and have them ready for same- or next-day pickup at the store at 122 Nassau Street.
This discount is available only through Labyrinth Books, the University's bookstore. In order to obtain the discount, students must present a valid Princeton University student ID and sign a statement of eligibility at the time of checkout. [Back to top]
Will the former 10 percent discount for members still apply?
The free membership program for all enrolled Princeton students will continue to exist; however, it will be much simpler. Discounts for non-course book purchases under the revised program will be 15 percent off all discountable books and merchandise in the store (the vast majority of the inventory, excluding only short-discount books and periodicals) with no minimum purchase. The program can now also be accessed directly from student IDs — so there are no more separate membership cards. [Back to top]
Does the discount apply to new and used books?
Yes. [Back to top]
Does the discount apply to both graduate and undergraduate courses?
Yes. [Back to top]
Does the discount apply to recommended titles?
Yes, both required and recommended titles on the course reading lists are included in the discount program. [Back to top]
Does the discount apply to course materials other than course books?
No, the discount applies only to course books. [Back to top]
I'm an auditor — can I get a discount?
This pilot program does not fund a discount for auditors. [Back to top]
Answers to questions about the course book purchasing site
How current is the course book information on the site?
The information on existing inventory updates every 15 minutes during the first week of classes, less frequently outside of the rush period. As faculty members continue to submit additions to reading lists early in the semester, Labyrinth staff members research and verify these requests. The new information becomes available on the course book purchasing site in approximately two days. [Back to top]
What happens once I click "proceed to checkout"?
This action transfers your order from the University system to Labyrinth's website, where Labyrinth then collects payment information if you are paying with your student charge and/or finalizes your order for in-store pickup. [Back to top]
Answers to questions about placing course book orders
I am an incoming freshman trying to order books online before having registered. How do I place my order?
For freshmen, the process of registering for classes includes advising through the residential college. The best time for freshmen to buy their books is after they have completed advising and registration during orientation in September; it is not recommended that they buy books before coming to campus. There will be ample time to do this once they are here. [Back to top]
Does Labyrinth deliver course books to the dorm?
Currently, there are no campus deliveries. However, if you order online through the University's course book purchasing site, Labyrinth staff will bundle the books and have them ready for same- or next-day pickup at the store at 122 Nassau Street. [Back to top]
Is sales tax factored into the price of my books?
Course books are tax-exempt. [Back to top]
Can I still buy my books elsewhere?
Certainly. Students will have all book information for required and recommended books and are free to buy their books wherever they choose. Labyrinth and the University are working to give students a convenient and affordable source for their books and to guarantee an adequate supply of discounted books to supplement the unpredictable availability of less expensive books online. [Back to top]
Will I be notified once my order is ready?
You will receive an email confirmation of your order as soon as you have checked out with a list of the books you ordered and an estimated timeframe for pickup. As soon as Labyrinth has finalized your order, you will receive a second email letting you know that the books are being held for you and for how long. [Back to top]
How much time do I have to pick up my order — can I put books on hold?
If you have paid with your student card, Labyrinth will hold your books indefinitely. If you select the "in-store payment" option, Labyrinth will hold your books for 24 hours. You will receive a reminder email before the hold time expires. After the allotted time, orders are canceled and books are returned to the shelves. To eliminate this time constraint, call Labyrinth with a credit card number at (609) 497-1600 and press 228. [Back to top]
How do I pick up my books?
If you have paid for your order online using your student ID card, your books will be ready at a designated express pickup area downstairs at Labyrinth, 122 Nassau Street. You will need to give your name, show your student ID and sign a statement of eligibility to get your books. If you chose to pay with a credit card, check or cash in the store, you will go to pick-up counter downstairs where you will get your books; you will then check out in an express line upstairs. [Back to top]
What if I want to cancel my order after I check out?
To cancel an order, please call Labyrinth at (609) 497-1600 and press 228. You will need to provide your student ID number. [Back to top]
Is there a way to track my order?
Since the turnaround time for your order is very short, there is no additional online tracking for customers. [Back to top]
Once I place my order, how can I add more books?
You will have to place a new order if there are additional books that you want after checking out. [Back to top]
Can anyone else pick up my order if they know my name?
You have to pick up your order in person, present your student ID and sign a statement of eligibility. [Back to top]
Answers to questions about book returns and buyback
What is Labyrinth's course book return policy?
Labyrinth offers students an extended policy for course books: a full refund will be issued until the end of add/drop period on February 17, 2012; full store credit will be issued until the beginning of spring recess on March 17, 2012. After this date, course books will be eligible for buybacks only. For a full refund, materials must be in original condition and packaging and accompanied by an original store receipt. (Please note: Reprinted emails or online order forms cannot be accepted for returns as these are tracked in separate systems.) For buyback, new books must be in "like-new" condition (no writing, torn pages, etc.) to qualify for the full 25 percent. [Back to top]
How does Labyrinth's buyback program work?
For any buyback, bring your original receipt along with your books by June 15, 2012.
Labyrinth Books will guarantee a minimum of 25 percent of your list price (not the discounted purchase price!) on all books bought as new (must be in "like-new" condition — see above) and 20 percent of the undiscounted price on all used books in acceptable condition.
Labyrinth checks the nation's leading buyback database and will match its price when it is higher. This program even includes custom Princeton editions and textbooks that have gone to a new edition (which happens fairly often and can cause other used book buyers to reduce their payouts drastically). Those who opt for store credit will get an additional 20 percent of the buyback price added to their total. This credit may be used on future textbooks. [Back to top]