Refunds and Exchanges Policy

Textbooks:

Textbooks are returnable during the first two weeks of the fall and spring semester and during the first week of the summer semester. Some textbooks are shrink-wrapped and are marked not returnable if opened.

Last day for Fall 2008 textbook refunds and exchanges is:

Non-textbook:

Non-textbook merchandise may be returned or exchanged within 5 days of purchase.

The following conditions apply to all returns:

• The complete original cash register receipt and identification is required.
• Charge purchases will be credited to your account; the actual credit card is required for return credit.
• Item must be in the same condition as purchased, with price marks and/or tags attached.
• All refunds are subject to department manager's approval.

In addition, we are unable to accept returns on the following items: catalogs, schedules, sale items, food, shorts, memory, study charts, computers, software, pre-recorded media and special orders.

Defective items may need to be replaced by the manufacturer. Please return item with the receipt to the bookstore for further information.

Methods of Payment

Checks

Each check must meet the following requirements:

• be made payable to CCSF Bookstores
• bear the current date
• bear the name and address of the bank printed on the check
• bear the account number at the bank
• bear the name, address and telephone number of the check's presenter
• bear the verifiable signature of the presenter

Current CCSF student ID is required for all checks. In addition, we require California ID or driver's license. Returned checks are submitted to the District Attorney's office for collection.

Bank Cards:

We accept Visa and MasterCard charge cards, and Interlink, Explore and Maestro debit cards linked to checking accounts.

Textbook Buyback Policy

The CCSF Bookstores buy back used textbooks year round as a service to students and faculty. The bookstore purchases these books for a used book wholesale company at prices determined by the wholesaler. The wholesaler reimburses the bookstore for the money paid out to our customers.

The CCSF Bookstores also buy back books for their own inventories to be resold. These books are bought back during the weeks at the end of each semester. Only books being used for the upcoming semester are bought back for up to 50% of the current retail price. Also, the bookstore must have an order from the faculty as well as an inventory need in order to pay 50%. As an additional service during finals, any books not on the bookstores' half-price list may be purchased for the wholesaler at a price determined by their company.

Profit Margin & Pricing Policy

Prices at the City College Bookstores are established at a profit margin sufficient to cover the cost of operating all the bookstores. This includes current expenses such as payroll and operating costs, the cost of books and supplies to be sold, and the longer range investments needed to make a clean, safe and efficient shopping and working environment. The profit margin on almost all textbooks is maintained at 25%. A few books may have a higher initial margin due to extra cost associated with those books. This level of profit margin compares favorably with the national and local profit margins of other colleges. A recent survey of bay area community college districts shows that half the districts price their books at a higher margin and no community college district in the bay area has a lower pricing margin.

City College of San Francisco has a textbook buyback and used book program in place which is second to no other college in making used books available to students. Buying and selling of used books by students in the bookstore's program provides substantial savings on textbooks.

Recent investments in the bookstore have been in a new cash register system which has dramatically reduced the waiting time in line at the beginning of the semester. While any wait is too long, we are making regular progress in reducing the time in line. Another recent investment is the remodeling of the textbook shelves allowing safer and more efficient access to the textbooks for both customers and employees. We have also recently begun to hire many student employees to assist student customers in finding and purchasing textbooks. While we operate in extremely limited space it is our student employees who can help make the textbook buying process more successful.

Some bookstore revenue is sent to the Associated Students to help fund their activities. One such activity is the AS Book Loan Program which helps lower book costs by loaning available books to students for use during the semester. Ask at the student union for information on this program.

Other Store Services

Gift Certificates - Our customers may purchase gift certificates for any amount. Gift certificates are available for sale in the CCSF Bookstore's office.

Gift-Wrapping - Gift-wrapping of merchandise purchased at the store is available year round free of charge.

Magazine Subscriptions - The College bookstore makes available subscription cards, offering discounted student prices.

Special Orders - All departments are pleased to accept and expedite orders of a special nature. A deposit is usually required.