Textbook Rental Agreement

When you rent textbooks, you enter into a rental agreement with the Hesston College Bookstore to loan you one copy of a selected title. Rental textbooks are the intellectual property of the author(s) and are copyrighted by the author(s) or publishers. Textbooks rentals are not to be reproduced. The rental agreement is only effective for the current semester. Per terms of this agreement, you are responsible for the following:

• I understand that all titles for rent are the property of the Hesston College Bookstore.
• Materials are to be returned in resalable condition.  Books must be in good condition, all materials/pages intact and able to be sold to another customer.  As the renter, you accept all responsibility for risk of loss from any cause, including theft, lost item(s) or damage caused by liquids (rain, snow, coffee, etc.), missing components or spine damage. You agree to be billed for the full publisher’s new list price of the materials less the rental price if any of the items are damaged or missing. Resalable condition is at the discretion of the Hesston College Bookstore.
• Materials are to be returned on or before the last day of buyback during finals week of the same semester.  You agree to be billed for the publisher’s list price of a new textbook less the rental fee if the rental is not returned on time. Rental materials will not be accepted for return after the last day of buyback for the same semester.  (i.e. Fall semester rentals must be returned by the last day of buyback during finals week of the Fall semester)
• If you decide you would like to keep your rental materials, you may apply the rental price toward the purchase of a new or used copy (if available) of the textbook within the first two weeks of class. After the first two weeks, the rental fee is non-refundable.
• Textbooks rented at the Hesston College Bookstore may be returned for a full refund within the same guidelines as our Textbook Return Policy.  If returned within the first week of classes in original condition with original receipt, a full refund will be given.  If returned within the second week of classes, the rental materials must be in the original condition, proof of dropped course must be provided and the original receipt must be presented.  After the first two weeks of classes, the rental fee is non-refundable.
• Rentals after the first two weeks of class are non-refundable.
• Completion of the online rental order signifies agreement with the above terms.
• My signature indicates that I agree to the terms outlined above.  If the terms are not completed, I understand that Hesston College will charge my student account for the publisher’s list price for a new textbook less the amount of the book rental.

Q:  What is the advantage of purchasing over renting?
A:  Purchasing the book will give you ownership.  You can keep or return the book at the end of the semester.  If we are using the book the next semester, we try to give you up to 50% of what you paid for the book.  If not, we try to sell the book to a textbook company. 

Q: Why should I rent or purchase books through the Hesston College Bookstore?
A:  We are owned by the college. Not all bookstores are.  Some are owned by textbook companies.  All money spent here, stays here and goes toward keeping tuition costs down, fund scholarships, provide activities, etc.

Q:  Is there a difference in rental price for a new or used book
A: No.  All rentals are the same price regardless of new or used. 

Q: How long is the rental period?
A: Rentals are per semester. Prices to rent are the same whether you need them for the whole semester or not.

Q: What do I need to rent a textbook? How do I pay for it?
A: You need to be enrolled in classes at Hesston College.  You may charge the rental fee to your student account or pay with a credit card if ordering online. If renting at the bookstore, you may also use cash or a check.  Your student account will guarantee your book.  At the time of purchase you will only be paying the fee to rent the book(s).

Q: Are all books available for rentals?
A: Although we will be adding more rental books each semester, there are a limited number of titles that are eligible for rent. We are currently offering as many books as possible. Check our website and your course to see if books you need are offered as rentals. Since rental terms are per semester, if you are taking a multi-term course (i.e. CHEM 121-122), books shouldn’t be rented because you will need them for more than one semester. Renting, in this situation would not save you any money. Also, books with access codes, laboratory manuals, fill-in books, and books with pages that are torn out cannot be rented because they are not resalable

Q: What if I drop a class; can I get my money back?
A: The return policy for a full refund on a rented textbook is the same as any textbook purchase. The textbook(s) must be returned with a receipt in its original condition by the deadline. Deadlines for a full refund are posted in store and on your sales receipt.

Q: What if I decide I want to buy the book after I have already rented it?
A: You have 14 days from the first day of the semester to convert your rental into a purchase at the Hesston College Bookstore. After the 14 day period the book is considered a rental; the rental fee is non-refundable and can no longer be used toward the purchase of the book.

Q: Can I write in my rented textbook(s)?
A:  Yes. You may lightly mark in rented books with pencil or highlights as long as the marks you make do not compromise the book’s ability to be sold again.  

Q: What if I lose my book, forget to return it or return it late?
A: It is your responsibility to return your book no later than the last day of buyback during the finals week of the same semester.  If the book is not returned by this date, you will be charged for a new book at the publisher’s list price less the book rental fee.   Lost books will be charged as if the book was not returned.  Payment will be charged to your student account.

Q: When and where do I have to return my textbook(s)?
A: You may return your rented textbook(s) at any time throughout the semester. You must have your student ID.  The final return due date is the last day of buyback during finals week.  Rentals must be returned to the Hesston College Bookstore. 

Q: Can I extend my rental past the due date?
A: No. Rental periods are per semester and are due by the last day of buyback during finals week. If a textbook is needed for longer than a single semester, we recommend that you buy it. We offer many titles new or used at competitive prices.

Q: What if I forgot which of my textbooks are rented?
A: No problem. Bring in your books and Student ID. We can tell which ones are rented.

Q: Can I sell my rented book back at the end of the semester?
A: No. The textbook(s) you rented are the property of the Hesston College Bookstore and are not yours to sell.  The fee you paid when you rented the textbook(s) is the cost to rent the book for the semester and is non-refundable. You will have no other charges as long as the book is returned on time and in resalable condition.

Q: Will renting save me money over purchasing a book?
A: It depends on the book and your situation. You will need to consider whether you plan to keep the book or return it at the end of the semester.  If we are able to give you 50% of what you paid for the book during buyback, it may be less expensive overall than renting.