HOW TO BUY USED BOOKS

The Used Book Sale is the second largest fundraiser for the MBA Mothers Club. It allows you to purchase your son’s textbooks at half the retail price and support MBA at the same time.

How do I buy used books? 

1. Early May

Families will receive letters containing their son’s Big Red Books Student ID number.

2. May 8 – 24     

Families can visit the Used Book Sale section of www.BigRedBooks.com and request books. (See Frequently Asked Questions below for more detailed instructions.)

o   Click on “Online Request Form”.

o   Using your Big Red Books Student ID #, REGISTER to enter the site.

o   Fill out an Online Request Form for each student.

o   Online Request Forms are fulfilled in the order that they are received, using the best quality books first and the lesser quality books last. Used Book Sale volunteers and sellers are placed at the top of the list for the day they make their initial request.

3. May 28 – 29 

Books will be available for pick-up and payment in small gym at MBA from 9am – 3pm.

o   ONE CHECK PER STUDENT only. 

o   We also accept cash.

4. June 25

A Last Chance Sale is held in the lobby of the Davis Building from 10am - 5pm. 

ALL SALES ARE FINAL.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What if I misplaced my Big Red Books Student ID number(s)? 

Because these numbers are specific to the Big Red Books Used Book Sale, you must call a Used Book Sale chair for your number.

How do I register for the first time?

1. Go to www.BigRedBooks.com
2. Click on “Online Request Form”
3. Click on “Website Registration”
4. Enter your son’s Big Red Books Student ID Number that was mailed to you.
5. Enter your son’s last name
6. Enter your email address (NOT your First Class email)
7. Enter phone number
8. Click on “Register”
9. A password will be sent to the email address you entered. (Please change your password to something easier for you to remember once you enter the website. See FAQ – How Do I Change My Password?)

How do I change my password?

1. Go to www.BigRedBooks.com and
2. Click on “Online Request Form” and login with your current password.
3. Click on “Change My Password”.
4. Type in your current password.
5. Type in your new password.
6. Retype your new password.
7. Click on “Update My Password”.

How do I request books online?

1. Go to www.BigRedBooks.com
2. Click on “Online Request Form”.
3. Login using your son’s Big Red Books Student ID number that was mailed to you and your current password. NOTE - If this is the first time that you use this link, you must register (See FAQ – How Do I Register?)
4. Click on “Log In”.
5. If you have volunteered for the sale this year, please check the appropriate box.
6. Click on “Continue to Online Request Form”.
7. Read the important information and then click on “Continue to Online Request Form”.
8. You will see a list of textbooks needed for your child’s courses that will be available at the Used Book Sale. You will also see a list of new textbooks that are required but are unavailable at the Used Book Sale.
9. Click the “Add” button next to the used books you would like to request (only one copy of each book can be requested). As you add books, the title will appear in the box at the top of the page.
10. Click on “Submit List/Send Confirming Email” under the “currently requested book list”.

How do I change my requested used books?

1. Follow steps 1-8 of “How do I request books online?” above.
2. Your current list of requested books appears at the top of the page.
3. Highlight the book you wish to remove and click on “Remove selected book from list above”. Repeat for each book you wish to delete.
4. To add books, follow step 9 above.
5. Click on “Submit List/Send Confirming Email” under the “currently requested book list”.

Will I receive confirmation of my request?

Yes. You will receive an email confirmation of your request.

Will volunteering to work at the Used Book Sale move me to the “top of the list” when ordering Used Books?

Used Book Sale volunteers and sellers are given priority for used books. The computer ranks all requests by date and time of initial request. Each day’s requests will be filled in the following order:

1. Volunteers and sellers
2. Volunteers
3. Sellers
4. All others

For example, if you volunteer and sell books but do not place your initial online request until the last day for ordering, you will still be near the bottom of the list.

Will summer reading books be for sale at the Used Book Sale ?

Used summer reading books will be available to purchase from the Used Book Sale at the time of book pick-up. Davis Kidd will be present to sell new summer reading books at the time of book pick-up.

What is the Last Chance Sale and when is it?

It is an opportunity to purchase remaining used books that you may still need. Inventory is limited. It is held in the lobby of the Davis Building on the last Thursday in June.

Are there plenty of books to buy? 

We ALWAYS have more requests than we have inventory, so remember to get your requests in early. Obviously, we can only sell what is turned in, so PLEASE encourage your sons to drop off their books.

Can I purchase extra copies of textbooks to keep at home?

The Last Chance Sale is a great place to buy books for home. The Online Request Form will only allow you to request one copy of each book at the Used Book Sale.

What if my son is testing for math placement? 

Although you will not know what book to buy at the time of the Used Book Sale, you will know at the time of the Last Chance Sale in late June. We usually have a substantial inventory of math books at the Last Chance Sale. Watch your FirstClass inbox for a reminder of the date and times.

What if my son has requested an Honors or AP course, but we have not received approval yet? 

Although you may not know what book to buy at the time of the Used Book Sale, you will know at the time of the Last Chance Sale in late June. Watch your First Class inbox for a reminder of the date and times.

Will I be notified when and where to pick up books?

You will receive an email notifying you that your books are ready to be picked up in the small gym at MBA from 9 am - 3 pm on Thursday May 28 and Friday May 29.

Are all sales final? 

Yes. The only exception to the All Sales Final policy is in the event a book is discontinued by MBA over the summer. Course assignments are subject to change. If your son’s Online Request Form does not accurately reflect his course selection as discussed with his advisor, please contact MBA Registrar Jody Mattison at mattisj@montgomerybell.edu or 298-5514, ext. 214.

What if I change my mind about a book on pick-up day?

Before you pay, you will have an opportunity to inspect your books. If, for any reason, you do not want to purchase a book, we are happy to take it back into inventory to make it available to other families, and you will not have to pay for it.

What if I receive the wrong book?

Before you pay, you will have an opportunity to inspect your books and make sure they are the correct ones. If, after you purchase the book, it is determined that it is our mistake that you received the wrong book, we will refund your money or, if possible, exchange the book for the correct one.

How do I pay for my books?

You may pay with cash or check (ONE CHECK PER STUDENT). If you have more than one MBA student in your family, you must have one transaction per student.

What if I cannot pick up my books on the scheduled days?

You must contact a Used Book Sale chair by noon on Friday, May 29 to hold your books until the Last Chance Sale. Otherwise, your books will be restocked and made available for other families to purchase.

More questions?

Please contact Tam Owen (tamowen@comcast.net; 482-7696) or Janet Cothron (jscothron@comcast.net; 513-3956).