How to Order Textbooks

Follow these steps to help place your online textbook order.

There are many choices to consider when selecting textbooks for your course(s). The information below can help you understand how the RCTC Bookstore fulfills orders and categorizes textbooks chosen for courses by instructors. The instructor submits their textbook order to the Bookstore indicating, author, title, edition, package contents, and any other supplements. This is solely the instructor’s decision. 

The books to fill your order come from the same inventory as inside the Bookstore. Online orders are filled during Bookstore business hours only. Books that are ready for pick-up NEED to be picked up within 2 weeks of being processed. Your account will NOT be refunded if you fail to pick up your online order and a $10.00 restocking fee could be applied.

New & Used Textbooks

Availability of used books is on a first come, first served basis and is not guaranteed. Prices and availability of textbooks are subject to change at any time and could affect the total billed to your account.

Textbooks listed with $0.00 for the price are not free. This simply means we do not have pricing information for the textbook at the time of your order.

During checkout, you select the textbook condition preferences for each of your textbooks. Every effort is made to fill orders as requested, but we reserve the right to make substitutions if your books are not available in the requested condition. This means if you select "used" and a used book is not available, a new book will automatically be substituted, and vice versa. The dollar amount of your order WILL change if substitutions are made. All prices are subject to change without notice. Textbooks and the prices are subject to change. ISBN numbers listed may not be just the textbook, it may be a bundle or a packaged item. Use caution when purchasing those books from other sources.

Used -- We will look for used textbooks first to fill your order. If there are no used textbooks in stock at the time your order is being filled, we will automatically substitute a new textbook.

Definition of Terms Used on Our Website

Required -- The textbook is required for your class.

Either/Or (Alternate) -- The textbook required for the course is available in two formats -- usually a print textbook and access code bundled together or an access code only.  It could also be a loose leaf book or a bound version of the book. You have the option to choose the format that best suits your needs. You only need to order one, not both. If you are unsure about which option to choose, contact your instructor for assistance.\

Recommended -- The textbook is not required but is recommended for the course. You may wish to attend class first or consult the instructor directly to determine if the textbook would be beneficial to you. Cannot be supplied on PSEO orders.

Optional -- The textbook is not required but is an additional resource. You may wish to attend class first or consult your instructor directly to determine if the textbook would be beneficial to you. Cannot be supplied on PSEO orders.

Wait go to Class Before Purchase -- You must attend class first before placing your order. The instructor for this class will give you further instructions regarding which textbook to purchase. Do not purchase book before attending class.

Continued Text -- The textbook was used in a previous class. Purchase will not be necessary if you took the previous class and still have your textbook.

Order Update Actions

During the checkout process, you will be asked how you would like the orders for each of your courses filled if the instructor changes the textbook(s) and course material(s) for a class while your online order is in progress with us.

Do Not Add to Order -- No changes will be made to your order, even if the instructor changes the textbook(s)/course material(s).

Add All Materials -- All materials, including required, recommended, and optional materials, will be added to your order if your instructor makes any changes to the textbooks/course materials assigned to a course.

Add Only Required -- We will only add to or change your order if the instructor makes changes for the required materials.