Frequently Asked Questions

• Required: This means an instructor has selected this item as a MUST for your course.
• CMI: This is a placeholder item to indicate the course is participating in CMI. This item cannot be added to your cart, and in the event it is; it will be removed with an error code. Please read the notes attached to this item or check out the CMI page.
• Recommended: This means an instructor feels this item will be beneficial for your studies and recommends that you purchase it. We suggest that you attend the class prior to purchasing this item to find out how highly your instructor recommends this item.
• Choice: Choice can mean many things. 1) This item comes as part of a bundle (Textbook, access code, solutions manual) or can be purchased as separate pieces. 2) This could mean that the instructor would like you to choose one of the given choice options. If this is the case we recommend that you attend class prior to selecting your choice to hear more detailed directions from your instructor. 3) This item is a physical alternative to the digital items provided through CMI.
• Optional: This means that the instructor has not chosen this item as a MUST for your course but that your instructor or other students have found this item helpful.

The credit card processing company works with your bank to ensure that all online orders it approves will have sufficient funds to cover it. Therefore, once it approves your order with the Bookstore, it puts a “hold” on those funds so that they cannot be used accidentally for other purchases. Once your order is processed by Bookstore staff, the pending charges drop off your account in 1-2 business days. This procedure is not the Bookstore’s but is one designed by the credit card processing company and the banking industry. We are not able to override it.

Our online system does not access our in-store inventory, so it does not know whether a used book will be available or not. Therefore, the total given is for all new books.

Your credit card is not charged when you initially place your order. You will be charged when Bookstore staff pulls and processes your order. The actual charge may differ from the pending charge (see above) due to used copies of books being pulled for you.

Yes, you may! First you must log on with an account, you can not use a guest user account. Second, you must do "Pickup at Store". Fill out your Billing address and hit "Calculate Totals". In the payment option screen, use the drop down menu to select "SFA on Insite" and enter your student ID number.

Yes. You must supply the number on the back of the gift card in the comments section. If the gift card amount is not sufficient to cover the order amount, the Bookstore will contact you via the email provided to request credit card information.

You will receive email confirmation when your order has been successfully placed with our online ordering system. A second email will be sent when Bookstore staff pulls and processes your order. Please take care to provide the correct email address.

• Enter Country > "United States"
• The City > choose APO or FPO
• The State > either "Armed Forces America," "Armed Forces Europe," or "Armed Forces Pacific"
• Enter your zip code
• Enter your full name, grade, and PSC or unit number

At UMBC sustainability is more than just “going green.” For us, sustainability is about considering the complexity and integration of natural, human, and social systems that maintain our thriving world. One of the largest forms of waste is shipping and packaging materials. In an effort to reduce our environmental footprint wherever possible, the UMBC Bookstore recycles boxes by using them again for our online order shipments. Every action matters, so we welcome you to help create and maintain a healthy and just environment for all, today and into the future.

Fall 23:

Thursday, September 7, 2023 is the last day to refund or exchange course materials for any reason. Course materials purchased after this date are final sale unless the course is dropped, see below for dropped courses.

Thursday, September 14, 2023 is the last day to refund or exchange course materialsfor dropped courses. Proof of dropped course is required. (such as current schedule).

• Absolutely no refunds without an original receipt.
• Course materials are refundable only within the first week of the semester for which they were purchased.
• Course materials purchased after the semester's refund date cannot be exchanged or refunded.
• Fall/Spring course materials for a dropped course are refundable through the second week of the semester. In addition to the original receipt, proof of the dropped course must be provided at the time of the refund request.
• Course materials must be in the same condition as purchased, free from any writing, markings or stains. Cover and binding must be damage-free.
• Activated E-books can not be returned.
• Shrink-wrapped material must be in original, complete, unopened, intact, unbroken, sealed packaging.
• Access codes must be in original, complete, unopened, intact, unbroken, sealed packaging.
• Course materials are defined as items ordered by faculty via written submission to Bookstore staff. Some items may not be returned.
• Study-aids are not returnable.
• Refunds for items purchased by personal check will be refunded onto the purchaser's Campus Card account and subject to the terms and conditions thereof. Items purchased by debit/credit card will be credited to the card. Card used for purchase required. Items purchased by cash will be refunded in cash.
• Store credit or exchanges are not given.
• Refunds are not final until approved by a Bookstore Department Manager.

• Absolutely no refunds without an original receipt.
• General books are returnable within one business day of purchase with receipt.
• General books are not course materials. Examples of general books are books of the month, faculty publications, and coloring books.
• Special orders are not returnable and cannot be canceled once the order is placed.
• Study-aids are not returnable.
• Refunds for items purchased by personal check will be refunded onto the purchaser's Campus Card account and subject to the terms and conditions thereof. Items purchased by debit/credit card will be credited to the card. Card used for purchase required. Items purchased by cash will be refunded in cash.
• Refunds are not final until approved by a Bookstore Department Manager.

• Techcessories are not returnable.
• Calculators are not returnable.
• Earbuds and headphones are not returnable. If they are defective, please keep the receipt and contact the manufacturer. The manufacturer should assist you in replacing them.
• Batteries are not returnable.
• All other electronics are not returnable.

• Absolutely no refunds without an original receipt.
• Gift cards and content cards are not refundable.
• Diploma frames are not refundable.
• Masks are not refundable.
• All drop ship items (online exclusive items) are not refundable.
• School supplies are not refundable.
• Clearance items are not refundable.
• Clothing and logo merchandise are returnable within 30 calendar days from the date of purchase, with receipt, provided the items are in new condition/packaging with tags still attached.
• Exchanges may be made within 6 months from the date of purchase, with receipt, provided the items are in the new condition/packaging with tags still attached. Exchanges must be of equal value or more.
• Refunds for items purchased by personal check will be refunded onto the purchaser's Campus Card account and subject to the terms and conditions thereof. Items purchased by debit/credit card will be credited to the card. Card used for purchase required. Items purchased by cash will be refunded in cash.
• Refunds are not final until approved by a Bookstore Department Manager.

• Returns and exchanges of items ordered online may be done in the store within the period allowed, specified in the sections above.
• Returns may also be mailed to: UMBC Bookstore, The Commons, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250. Shipping fees are at the returner's expense and will not be reimbursed.
• All materials and merchandise must be received in the original condition for any refund.
• Course materials returned by mail after the returns deadline will not be refunded.
• Any claims or problems must be reported within 3 business days of delivery.
• Refunds for items purchased by debit/credit card will be credited to the card. Card used for purchase required.
• Refunds are not final until approved by a Bookstore Department Manager.

• In-stock orders ship within 2 business days.
• Orders may be held until all items are available to ship.
• Orders may ship incomplete if all books will not arrive before classes begin.
• Your card will NOT be charged until your items are shipped.
• No delivery to on-campus locations. Orders with an on-campus ship-to address will automatically be changed to in-store pickup.

• Shipping fees for online orders are charged per shipment as indicated below and are not refundable:
  • Textbooks and Course Materials: $12.99
  • General Merchandise: $12.99
  • Diploma Frames: $25.00
  • KH Sports Fan, Nordic, CDI Drop Ship Items: $18.00
  • Gift Cards: $0.00 (after promo code "giftcard")
• Note: Drop ship and diploma frame orders that also include standard stock items will be charged the standard shipping fee on top of the drop ship fee.
• Orders with shipping addresses to Alaska, Hawaii, and US territories or outside of the USA, will be subject to additional shipping charges. These shipping charges will vary. Orders will not be processed until customer is contacted and approves these additional charges.
• UMBC Bookstore reserves the right to use alternative carriers for shipping.

• UPS Drop OFF and UPS shipping
• Postage stamps are sold by the book and available at the cash registers in the store.
• Notary public service: $5.00 a stamp.
• Greeting cards, balloons, wrapping paper, gift bags and UMBC Bookstore gift cards are available for purchase.

The Bookstore offers a number of employment opportunities for students interested in working on campus in a friendly environment. Students can gain important real-world skills in a number of areas, including customer service, sales, ordering and receiving, and merchandising.

Student employees fulfill the following duties at the Bookstore:

• Handle high volumes of cash, checks, and credit cards; ring up customer purchases; and assist customers on the sales floor.
• Keep the register areas clean, straighten the sales floor, and assist in other areas of the store when needed.
• Receive incoming merchandise and verify order accuracy and condition, identifying discrepancies and taking corrective action when necessary.
• Process documents when receiving shipments and ensure all information is entered accurately into the store's inventory control system.
• Stock merchandise in a neat and orderly fashion, keeping in mind expiration dates for food/beverages or size availability for clothing.
• Participate in the social media efforts of the Bookstore.

Interested in working at the Bookstore? Apply through Handshake. Please do not e-mail the Bookstore about the status of your application. You will receive e-mail communications about your application. If you do not see a job posting on Handshake, we are not hiring at that time.