Help We're here for you.

BookRenter.com wants to make renting books as easy and simple as possible. If you have any questions about how the renting process works, check out the FAQs on this page or look up commonly used terms under the Glossary.

To learn more about what to do at the end of your book’s rental period, click on the box icon to go to the page How to Return. If you still have a question, or just want to send a suggestion or comment, visit our Contact Us page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Help Categories

Getting Started back to top

Which Internet browsers are best for visiting BookRenter.com?

Our website is best viewed with the latest versions of Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari.

What are the lengths of the 5 rental periods you offer?

We offer rental terms for any type of school term. The five rental periods we offer are 30 days, 45 days, 60 days, Quarter (90 days), and Semester (125 days). Your rental period does not start until your books are delivered.

Can I buy books from BookRenter.com?

Yes, books can be purchased from BookRenter.com in two different ways:

Buy a book by selecting Purchase from the Availability drop down of a book's product details page.
Buy a book you are currently renting through our Extensions/Buyouts Page. For more information see the Can I buy my rented books? help question.

How do I search?

Enter title, author, or ISBN 10 or 13 into the search field for a basic search. ISBN will always give you the most accurate results. To find a book specifically by author or title, type author: "author name" or title: "title name". (e.g. You want to search for the book Economics by Michael Scott. In the search field, type author: Michael Scott or title: Economics. )

If the book I want to rent comes with an online access code/key/card/etc., will it work?

Supplemental materials of any kind are not guaranteed to come with your book.

Are there any membership fees?

No, BookRenter.com does not charge any membership or subscription fees.

Do I get my money back when I return my rental?

Since you only pay for a fraction of the total book cost when you check out with your rental, no money is returned to your credit/debit card once we get your rental back on time.

Why are some books only available for purchase?

Books that are meant to be used only once, such as workbooks, coloring books, or other books that are written in, along with books that may not be popular enough for us to rent again, are only available for purchase, not rent.

Checkout Process back to top

What forms of payment can I use?

Credit Cards

Currently, you must use a credit or debit card to rent from BookRenter.com. We accept credit and debit cards with the MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover symbol. You will specify your preferred method at checkout.

Why is my credit/debit card being rejected?

The following are reasons why your credit/debit card may be denied: Insufficient funds; Incorrect CVV number; Billing address does not match card holder's address; Expiration date of the card is before the end of your rental period(s).

Will I be charged any sales tax?

Only orders shipped to addresses in California are charged sales tax. The state tax rate applies to only the rental or purchase cost of an order, shipping is not taxed.

What shipping methods are offered?

You can have your order shipped via Ground, 2 Day, or Next Day. Please view the Shipping Page for information on these shipping options.

How do I use a coupon code?

If you have a coupon code, you can apply it to your order during Step 2 of the checkout process.

Enter your coupon code into the box under the Enter Coupon Code heading (above the Payment Information section).
Next, click the apply button. After you do so, the amount you saved will be added above the total price of your order.
If you have multiple codes, repeat the process until you have applied all your codes.

Why doesn't my coupon code work?

There are a few reasons your coupon code may not work:

The code has expired- an error message "Expired code" will show
The code is incorrect or nonexistent- an error message "Invalid code" will show

Codes are not case sensitive, but if you get an error while applying a code, be sure to check for any typos.

Is the information I submit secure?

Anytime you submit private information (e.g. name, address, or credit/debit card number) on our website, you will see the phrase "You are using our secure server" at the top of the page. This banner indicates that a secure connection is in place. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Placed Orders back to top

How do I track my order?

All shipments have a tracking number, which provides the date and time of delivery or attempted delivery. To check the status of your shipment, login to My Account and click the "Track Shipment" link on the My Rentals page.

Can I check my previous orders?

Yes. Go to the Order History page under the My Account section. Order History summarizes all your past orders, displaying the order date, number, and status. Click on the "Order Number" to see the details of a particular order.

Can I cancel an order I've recently placed?

Because BookRenter.com tries to process and ship orders as quickly as possible, the majority of orders cannot be cancelled once placed. If you request to return an item for a refund by generating a label on the refund page, BookRenter will automatically try to cancel your order if it has not yet shipped. However, even if your order has not shipped, it most likely cannot be cancelled. If BookRenter is able to cancel your order, you will be sent an email confirming the cancellation and will not be charged for the order; otherwise, you will have to return the item for a refund. Please see the Refunds Section for more information.

It's a few days past my delivery estimate, will I be getting my order soon?

Due to delivery estimates being approximations, your order may be not get to you on the same date as your delivery estimate. If you haven't received your order by your delivery estimate, do the following:

First check the tracking number for your order by going to My Rentals. If the tracking shows your order as being delivered, check with your neighbors or mail room, if applicable, to see if they signed for your order. Also check with your mail carrier and around your mailbox and/or front door to see if the order was left for you.
Second, see if your tracking number shows your order as being in a city nearby your shipping address. If it is, it's likely that your order will be arriving soon. We ask that you wait 2 business days after your delivery estimate to give the shipper time to deliver your order.
If you're unable to find your order after checking with your neighbors/mail room/mail carrier or if it's more than 2 business days past your delivery estimate, contact Customer Service about getting a refund or replacement order.

Where will my order ship from?

Our books ship from multiple warehouses across the nation. We do not know where your order will ship from, nor can we request that they leave from a specific location.

Where do I find my order's estimated delivery date?

To find your order's delivery estimate, click your order number under Order History. Your delivery estimate will show under the Track Shipment link.

How do I return a book to BookRenter.com for a refund?

Please visit the refund page within 10 days of receiving your item, select your item and reason for return, and print your prepaid shipping label. You must ship your book(s) using the prepaid shipping label within 5 days. Please note that it is important you use the BookRenter prepaid shipping label and not your own shipping method.

Refunds due to BookRenter's error will be refunded in full. Refunds not due to BookRenter's error will be refunded in full minus a restocking fee (see below), which is used to help cover the cost of your original shipping charges, the cost of shipping items back to us, the processing of your return, and the credit card transaction fees associated with your order. All items must be returned in their original condition. Please allow 2-4 weeks for your refund to process completely and appear on your credit/debit card statement.

Restocking fees are charged per item and based on the shipping method chosen during checkout.

Shipping Method	Restocking Fee (per item)
Ground	$10.00
Second Day	$13.00
Next Day	$15.00

See the Refunds section in the Service Policy for more information.

What should I do if my book arrives in a damaged condition?

To notify us of damage that occurred in transit or from previous use, contact Customer Service within 3 days of your order being delivered. If you want to return a book due to damage, see the above question How do I return a book to BookRenter.com for a refund?

Using Books back to top

What happens if I lose my book?

As stated in our Service Policy, you are responsible for returning the book at the end of your rental period. If you are unable to do so, you will be charged 140% of the book's retail price minus your rental costs, plus a $10.00 service fee. Once you are charged, you opt out of the rental agreement and the book becomes your property.

What happens if my book is damaged during my rental period?

Books are required to be kept in like-new or better condition while in your possession. If a book you send back at the end of your rental period is damaged and rendered unusable, it will remain the property of BookRenter.com and you will be charged the full retail value to replace it. Supplementary materials such as CDs, DVDs, access codes, inserts, workbooks, study guides, etc. included with your book must be returned. For examples of like-new and damaged books, please refer to the quality chart below.

Required Condition - No Damage Fee: Firm cover with no noticeable damage. All pages must be intact (no creases, tears, or stains present). There can be minimal writing or highlighting, but no damage to the binding.

Unacceptable Condition - Damage Fee Applies: Minor Damage (35% of list price*)

Light damage to the cover (markings on the inside or outside, or portions ripped off) or pages (medium to large creases, tears, stains, or liquid damage) is present.; Major Damage (full list price*)

The cover is noticeably damaged or missing. Pages are stained, missing, illegible, or otherwise warped. There is heavy writing and/or highlighting throughout the book. Any other case that renders the book unusable will also result in a major damage fee.

*List price is the list price of the book advertised on our site at the time of checkout.

I didn't get the book I ordered, what can I do?

So we can get you the correct book, let Customer Service know that you received the wrong book within 3 days of your order being delivered.

Can I write or highlight in my book?

Yes, acceptable amounts of writing and highlighting are allowed. See the Service Policy for more information.

How do I keep my books in good condition?

Read your books with clean hands.
Don't eat or drink around your books.
Use bookmarks, do not lie books face down or use dog ears.

How do I calculate the due date of my rental?

Your rental period will begin on the date your order arrives. The ending date of your rental period can be calculated by adding the number of days of your rental period to the day you received your order. You can find the due date of your rental by logging in to My Account and looking at the Due Date on the My Rentals page. When returning your rentals, your shipment must be dropped off at a UPS location by the due date displayed on the My Rentals page.

Will I receive any money back if I return my rental early?

No, we do not refund your credit/debit card for any amount if you send your rental back before its due date.

End of Rental Period back to top

What are extensions?

Extensions are the option to prolong a rental beyond its due date. We offer extensions for 5 different lengths of time: 10, 30, 45, 60, and 90 days. You can also choose to purchase the book at the end of your rental with the Convert Rental to Purchase option.

How do I extend my rental?

Go to the Extensions/Buyouts page under the My Account section. Once you're on the Extensions/Buyouts page, choose how many days you want to add to your rental (10, 30, 45, 60, or 90 days) or select the Convert Rental to Purchase option. Add the extension or purchase to your bag and complete the check out process.

For how long can I extend a rental?

Extensions allow you to add an extra 10, 30, 45, 60, or 90 days to your rental due date. Along with keeping a rental longer, you can choose to keep a rental forever by selecting the option Convert Rental to Purchase.

Is there a limit to how many times I can extend a rental?

No, you may extend your book as many times as you like.

How do you set the price for converting a rental to a purchase?

To calculate your Convert to Purchase price, we take the purchase price of the book and deduct the original rental price plus any extensions you've already paid.

How will I be charged if I buy an extension?

When you extend or purchase your rental, you will be asked for credit/debit card information at the end of the checkout process. The credit/debit card you enter will be charged for the price of the extension or purchase.

Once I extend a rental, where do I find my new due date?

Your new due date is shown on your My Rentals and Extensions/Buyouts pages.

What if my due date falls on a weekend or a holiday?

If your due date is on a weekend or holiday, you should take your return to a UPS location the following business day. However, you still need to print out your return shipping label before your due date, even if the due date falls on a weekend or holiday.

Can I buy my rented books?

Yes, you can! If you like your books, we encourage you to buy them. Your rental price will go towards the purchase of the book. To purchase a book you are currently renting, sign into BookRenter.com and go to the Extensions/Buyouts Page. Select the option "Convert Rental to Purchase," then add it to your bag and check out. See the question How do I extend my rental? for more information on how to extend a rental.

How do I return my books when I'm done?

Please follow the steps below for a smooth return:

Login: Choose the books you want to return on the Rental Return page and confirm your shipping address
Print: Print the packing slip and shipping label
Package: Securely seal the package with the books you're returning and your packing slip. For postage, you must use our prepaid UPS shipping label.
Ship: Drop the package off at any UPS Location

For further details on how to return your order, please go to the How to Return page.

How do I package my rental(s) for return?

To send your rental(s) back to us, feel free to use the box your book(s) arrived in. If you use this box or any other previously used box, be sure to cover up all old labels and markings.

You can use any size box or mailer to send your book(s) back, as long as it amply fits your book(s) plus packaging material, which should be used to avoid any in-transit damage. You can purchase boxes and other packaging materials at most mail centers, including UPS Stores.

Will you send me a reminder when my rental is due?

BookRenter.com sends reminders via email to all customers at 7, 3, and 1 day(s) before a rental is due.

We also offer the ability for SMS/text messages to be sent to your cell phone. If you want reminder text message alerts sent to your cell phone, add your mobile number to your BookRenter account profile.

Please note that BookRenter is not responsible if you do not receive these reminders. We recommend that you add the email addresses donotreply@bookrenter.com and support@bookrenter.com to your address book to ensure our reminders are not caught in your spam/junk folder.

Are there any late fees?

If your book is not postmarked by the end of your rental period, you will be charged 20% of the book's list price and your rental will be extended by 14 days. If your book has not been returned by the end of this 14 day extension, you will be charged a Book Never Returned fee, which is used to cover the cost of replacing the book. This fee is equal to 140% of the book's list price minus your rental costs and the cost of the 14 day extension, plus a $10.00 service fee. Once you are charged, you opt out of the rental agreement and the book becomes your property.

To avoid being charged for the book, you can either extend your rental or convert it to a purchase.

How do I track my return?

Miscellaneous back to top

How is BookRenter.com able to offer low prices?

To give you the best possible prices, our inventory is sold using dynamic pricing. If we can not offer a low rental price, we will not offer the book for rent. Although such books can not be rented, they are always available for purchase.

Can I order from anywhere in the world?

We currently only serve customers living in the United States of America. Orders are shipped to all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. (Unfortunately we currently do not ship to U.S. territories or APO/FPO addresses.)

Why did my books arrive in an Amazon.com box?

BookRenter.com works with Amazon, so shipments may have the Amazon name printed on the side. Amazon is not otherwise affiliated with BookRenter, so if you have any questions about your order, please contact BookRenter.

Does BookRenter buy used books?

Currently BookRenter does not buy books from customers.

Glossary

Definitions of terms found on BookRenter.com:

Backordered: The book is not in stock. Due to the dynamic nature of BookRenter's inventory, we cannot provide estimates as to when the book will become available.
Bag:: The BookRenter.com shopping cart. When you find a book you want and add it to your bag, it is listed here.
Date Ordered:: The date you placed your order.
Date Shipped:: The date your order left our warehouse to be shipped to you.
My Fees:: Charges you have accrued from damaged, lost, or not returned books.
Order Number:: The ID for a particular order.
Rental Period:: The length of time you have chosen for your rental.

Rental Status descriptions:

In Transit Back:: Your book has been shipped back to us using the BookRenter shipping label and is in transit back to our facilities.
Late:: Your rental was not returned by its due date. Your credit/debit card was charged a portion of the Book Never Returned fee, and your rental was extended 14 days to give you more time to return the book.
Not Returned:: Although you were given an extra 14 days to return your rental when it was Late, your rental was never sent back. As a result your credit/debit card was charged for not returning the book.
Overdue:: Your rental was not returned on time and can no longer be sent back to BookRenter. The rental status will transition to Late within a few days if you do not extend your rental.
Processing:: BookRenter has received your order and will ship your book soon.
Refunded:: You have been credited for your book.
Rental Returned:: BookRenter facilities received your rental return on time.
Renting:: You have received your order and your rental period is currently active.
Shipped:: Your book has left BookRenter facilities and is in transit.

Rent Textbooks: