FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know what books I need?

Your course requirements will be found in your course outlines, or you can use our course listings to order.  Stop by the store and tell us what course you're in and we will show you all of your options for that course.  If for any reason there is a discrepancy between our listings and your course listing please let us know asap.  

2.  Do you only sell used books?

We're frequently called the used Bookstore (because we have lots of used copies) but we carry all the new books, eBooks and digital access codes needed for courses as well. 

3. How do I pay for my books?

Online orders can be paid for with VISA, Mastercard, AmEx, debit credit cards or Co-op Gift Cards.   Instore we accept cash, Interac, VISA, Mastercard, Apple Pay/digital wallet, tap, debit/credit cards and Co-op Gift Cards.  

Please note we do not accept the textbook plan.

4. Why shop Co-op? 

Co-operatively owned & operated by the students of Guelph we are the original (started in 1913!) bookstore on campus. Completely separate & independent from the University our mission is to provide ourselves (the students of Guelph) with best possible products and services.  In this case textbooks.  We offer personalized full counter service, Co-op Pricing, Co-op Membership, Fair Return Policies & a Bookstore Guarantee that is unique to the Co-op Bookstore. Bring us your course information and we'll get your books for you.  Co-operative principles also ensure our business is run on triple bottom line accounting, balancing the needs of people and the environment, with any profit.  Our Board of Directors is majority student membership meaning students make the decisions in our organization.  On top of all of that we're just fun, friendly people who want to make your campus life easier. 

5. How does the Co-op membership work?

Co-op membership is optional but it saves you an additional 5% for the next four years.  This applies to everything we sell except digital codes ordered online.   It is a one-time fee of $15 to become a member.  In addition to even greater Bookstore savings, you become a voting member of our Co-op, you can run for our Board of Directors, you can apply to live in Co-op housing, and you become part of the oldest tradition at Guelph!

6. Do I need to buy a membership ahead of time?

Not at all. You can add membership to any purchase & it will immediately apply the 5% discount to all eligible products.  

7. How do I get my order?

Online orders can be shipped, or held for pick-up at the store.

Digital products (eBooks/access codes) are emailed to you at no cost, immediately upon order.  

Orders placed for pick-up will be ready no later than the next business day.  We will email you as soon as they are ready and you may stop by at your convenience.  Pick-up hours are weekdays from 8:30am - 4:30pm, at the Co-op Bookstore, in the basement of Johnston Hall. 

Should you prefer not to enter the building for any reason, text or call us upon arrival and we'll meet you outside.

You will require photo ID of some sort (student cards are acceptable) to collect your order.  

You can arrange with us to have someone else pick-up your order but we need advance notification of this (you may put it in the comment section of your order).  Any questions please contact us.

We offer $6 flat fee courier delivery in Ontario (for the first two books).  We offer very reasonable shipping rates outside of Ontario and will quote costs before shipping.  Tracking information will be emailed to you for anything shipped. 

In store shoppers are provided with their purchases immediately.

P.S.  I'm not sure what I'm doing- is it OK to call or email my questions?

Absolutely. We're always happy to help! Give us a call on our toll free # 1 800 869-2773 or send an email to books@bookstore.coop. Stop by the store anytime and talk to us in person.  Helping students is what we do best.

8.  I didn't get my eBook/access code - what can I do?

eBooks/access codes will be emailed to the email address provided under Ship To on the order.   Stand-alone codes are emailed almost immediately upon completing your order.   Please add books@bookstore.coop to your safe senders list.  Please check both your inbox and your junkmail/spam folder for the email.    Should you have mistyped your email address on the order please email us at books@bookstore.coop with your order number and the correct email address.  Any other problems please email us at books@bookstore.coop.   Include your order number (from the order confirmation email) and a description of the problem.

9. The book I need is out of stock - what can I do?

At the beginning of semester books are routinely reordered and are usually only temporarily out of stock.  Please check back over the course of a couple of days and see when the book is back in stock.  After the first couple of weeks of semester please contact us about out of stock books.  We will happily order more stock for you if it's not already on order.

10.  I can't register my eBook or access code - help!

Please note there is a two step process for registering eBooks and access codes.  We will provide you with a 12 digit alph-numeric code that you need to redeem for the publisher code.  Redeem your 12 digit code here.

Once you have redeemed the 12 digit code you receive an email with the publisher code that you then register for access to your materials.  Check your course description for a registration link.  If provided this is the easiest way of registering a publisher code for your class.  Otherwise you follow the instructions in the redemption email.   Still stuck?  Give us a call.  We are here to help!