What Follett is and why your college uses it

Follett is a company that operates college bookstores on behalf of universities and colleges across the United States. Your school contracts with Follett to run the physical or online bookstore where you buy textbooks, course materials, school supplies, and general merchandise. Follett does not own your college — it manages the bookstore as a service.

When you walk into your college bookstore or visit its website, you are interacting with Follett's system, even if the storefront has your college's name on it. Follett handles inventory, pricing, returns, buyback programs, and the point-of-sale system. Understanding how Follett operates helps you navigate textbook costs, return policies, and buyback options that often confuse students.

Key Takeaways

  • Follett runs your college bookstore but does not set textbook prices — publishers do, and those prices are the same across all bookstores.
  • You can rent textbooks through Follett for a semester, which typically costs 50 to 80 percent less than buying new.
  • Follett's buyback program lets you sell used textbooks back, though the price depends on whether the book is still assigned and its condition.
  • Most Follett bookstores let you order textbooks online before the semester starts and pick them up in-store, or have them shipped to you.
  • Return and exchange policies vary by whether you bought or rented, and by how long ago you made the purchase.

How textbook pricing works at Follett

Follett does not set the price of textbooks. Publishers set the retail price, and that price is the same whether you buy from Follett, Amazon, or another bookstore. What changes is the format and whether you own or rent the book.

A new textbook typically costs between $100 and $300, depending on the subject and edition. Follett's role is to stock the books your professors assign, display the price the publisher set, and handle the transaction. If you see the same textbook cheaper elsewhere online, the difference usually comes from the seller being a third-party reseller, not from Follett charging more.

Follett does control the price of used textbooks it buys back from students and resells. A used copy of the same book might cost 25 to 50 percent less than new, depending on condition and demand. Follett also sets rental prices, which are negotiated with publishers but typically run 50 to 80 percent below the purchase price for a semester-long rental.

Renting versus buying textbooks

Follett offers textbook rentals as an alternative to buying. When you rent, you pay a lower upfront cost, use the book for the semester, and return it by the important date. You do not own the book and cannot write in it permanently — most rental agreements prohibit highlighting and margin notes, though light marking is often permitted.

Rental makes sense if you will not need the book after the course ends, if you want to lower your upfront cost, or if the book is a new edition that will be outdated soon. Buying makes sense if you plan to keep the book for reference, if you are a heavy note-taker, or if you might take another course using the same edition later.

Follett's rental period typically runs from the start of the semester through a return important date about two weeks after the semester ends. If you return the book late, you are charged a per-day fee. If you damage the book beyond normal wear, you may be charged a damage fee in addition to the rental cost.

Buyback programs and selling textbooks back

Follett runs a buyback program where you can sell used textbooks back to the bookstore. The price Follett offers depends on three things: whether the book is still assigned in courses at your school, the condition of the book, and current market demand.

If your textbook is still assigned, Follett typically offers 25 to 50 percent of the new price. If it is no longer assigned at your school, the offer drops significantly — sometimes to a few dollars — because Follett must resell it as a used book to another school or through a wholesale channel. Follett inspates the book for highlighting, water damage, torn pages, and binding condition. Heavy marking or damage can lower the offer further or result in the bookstore declining to buy it.

Buyback happens at set times: usually at the end of each semester and sometimes during the first week of the next semester. Follett also runs online buyback, where you can mail in books and receive payment by check or account credit. The online buyback price is often lower than in-store because Follett factors in shipping and handling costs.

Ordering textbooks and pickup options

Most Follett bookstores let you order textbooks online before the semester starts. You can search by course number, professor name, or ISBN (the 13-digit code on the back of the book). Once you order, you choose whether to pick up in-store, have it shipped to your address, or have it held for later pickup.

In-store pickup is usually free and available within one to three business days. Shipping to your home typically costs $5 to $15 depending on speed and distance. Some schools offer free shipping for orders over a certain amount, or free shipping for all orders — check your Follett bookstore's website for your school's policy.

Ordering ahead saves time during the busy first week of the semester when the bookstore is crowded. It also lets you compare rental and purchase prices before you commit. If you wait until the first day of class, popular textbooks may be out of stock, and you may have to wait for a restock or order online with a shipping delay.

Returns and exchanges at Follett

Follett's return policy depends on whether you bought or rented the book and when you made the purchase. For purchased textbooks, you typically have 30 days from the date of purchase to return an unopened book for a full refund, or an opened book for store credit (not cash). The exact window varies by school, so check your Follett bookstore's posted policy.

For rented textbooks, you cannot return them early for a refund. You must keep the rental until the return important date and return it in acceptable condition. If you return it early, you still pay the full rental price. If you decide you want to keep the book instead of returning it, Follett will charge you the difference between the rental price and the purchase price of a used copy.

Exchanges (swapping one book for another) are usually treated as a return plus a new purchase, so the same 30-day window applies. If you bought the wrong edition or the wrong book entirely, bring your receipt and the book in its original condition, and Follett will exchange it for the correct one at no additional charge within the return window.

Finding your school's Follett bookstore online

Your Follett bookstore has its own website, usually branded with your college's name. You can find the link on your college's main website under "Bookstore" or "Student Services," or by searching "[Your College Name] Follett bookstore." The site lets you search for textbooks by course, browse supplies, and check store hours.

Most Follett sites also have a mobile app where you can search textbooks, check prices, and manage orders from your phone. The app shows real-time inventory, so you can see whether a book is in stock before you go to the store. Some apps also let you scan a book's barcode to check the price when ready.

If you cannot find your bookstore's website or have questions about policies specific to your school, call the bookstore directly or visit in person. Staff can answer questions about textbook availability, rental important date, and buyback procedures for your particular campus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a textbook from somewhere other than Follett?

Yes. Textbooks are sold by many retailers, including Amazon, other online bookstores, and used book marketplaces. The new textbook price is the same everywhere because publishers set it, but used copies and rentals may be cheaper elsewhere. Compare prices before you buy, but factor in shipping time — if the semester starts in three days, a cheap book that takes two weeks to arrive does not help you.

What happens if I return a rented textbook late?

Follett charges a per-day late fee, usually $1 to $5 per day depending on the book's rental price. The fee continues to accrue until you return the book or Follett charges you the full purchase price of a used copy. Check your rental agreement for the exact late fee and return important date for your book.

Can I sell a textbook to Follett if I bought it used from somewhere else?

Yes, Follett will buy used textbooks regardless of where you originally bought them, as long as the book is still assigned at your school and is in acceptable condition. The buyback price is based on the same factors — current assignment, condition, and market demand — whether you bought it from Follett or elsewhere.

Does Follett price-match other bookstores?

Follett does not price-match because textbook prices are set by publishers, not by Follett. The new textbook price is identical across all retailers. If you find a cheaper used copy elsewhere, Follett cannot match that price, but you are free to buy from the other seller.

What if my professor changes the textbook after I already bought it?

If you bought the book within the return window and it is no longer assigned, you can return it to Follett for a refund or store credit. Bring your receipt and the book in its original condition. If you are outside the return window, you can try to sell it back through Follett's buyback program, though the price will be lower because the book is no longer assigned at your school.