General Questions
1. Where is the University Store located? What is the phone number?
The University Store is on the first floor of the University Union building located off of Towsontown Boulevard, Osler Drive and Cross Campus Drive.
Phone number: 410-704-BOOK (2665)
Fax number: 410-704-3482
2. What are the store hours?
Since store hours vary throughout the year, please see the Store Hours page for current hours.
3. What forms of payment are accepted?
The University Store accepts cash, personal checks that are pre-printed with your name and address (a valid TU ID/One Card or driver's license is required), VISA, MasterCard, and Retail Points (One Card). Payroll checks, "starter" checks, third-party checks and American Express are not accepted.
A credit card can only be used by the person whose name appears on the credit card.
A $1.00 minimum purchase is required to use a credit card. A valid TU ID (One Card) or current driver's license is required.
Textbook Questions
1. Why should I buy my textbooks at the University Store?
The University Store has the most up-to-date, accurate information direct from the faculty, which means you get the right book for your class. You also benefit from the convenience of on-campus shopping and the opportunity to buy all of your books at the same time.
In addition, all monies are reinvested into Towson University.
2. Who decides what textbooks are required for a course?
The instructor of the course determines the specific required and recommended textbooks for the course. Instructors are responsible for providing the book information to the Textbook Department by an established deadline so that the books are on the shelves when the semester begins.
3. What purchase methods exist to buy textbooks?
Customers have the option of shopping in person or ordering online. Please see the online ordering page for details about book availability and shipping.
4. How do I know which textbooks to buy? Where are they located in the University Store?
Your course schedule is the key to identifying the textbooks that are needed for each class. Please bring your course schedule with you when purchasing textbooks because it contains the course and section numbers that are needed to identify the required books. The Textbook Department is located at the back of the store and is arranged alphabetically by academic department and numerically by course and section numbers within each academic department. Faculty names are not used to identify courses and textbooks because faculty are sometimes reassigned.
5. What is the recommended best time to buy textbooks?
Textbooks for the fall, spring, and summer semesters are available for sale one week prior to the first day of classes. Since many changes to course and book information occur before a semester starts, the University Store can be reasonably sure by this date that the correct books are on the shelf and that the majority of new and used books have arrived.
6. How much do textbooks cost?
The average cost of required textbooks and supplies for a full-time student is $350-$400 per semester. For more accurate costs, use the online textbook inquiry function.
7. May I reserve textbooks for pick-up?
Textbooks can be reserved for pick-up in the University Store for the Fall and Spring semesters. This service is not available for Summer or Mini-mester classes.
8. If I call the store, can someone look up textbook title information or check the shelf for me?
If you have a question about a single course or a particular textbook, the Store's staff will
try to assist you. If you are a Towson University student, then you will need to know your department, course and section number. If you are not a Towson University student, then you must have the ISBN # for the particular book you would like to have checked. Depending on current inventory of the textbook, we can hold the textbook for you for 48 hours.
9. Are used books available and where are they located?
Used books are available and are priced 25% lower than the new books. Since they sell quickly, all used copies are shelved when received with the new books. For the best selection of used books, shop one week before the first day of classes.
10. Can textbooks be returned if a course is dropped or an instructor is not using the book?
Textbooks can be returned for any reason within the first two weeks of fall and spring classes if:
A) You present the ORIGINAL RECEIPT.
B) New or Used copies are not water damaged.
C) New copies have not been marked in any way including writing, highlighting, and underlining.
D) New copies do not have worn, creased, soiled, or dog-eared pages.
E) The shrink wrap has not been removed.
F) Ancillary materials such as CD's are sealed.
For dropped classes, textooks may be returned within the first four weeks of classes. In addition to the conditions listed above, the "drop" must be verified. Please check your sales receipt for exact refund deadline dates for the current semester.
11. Does the University Store buy textbooks back? How much is paid for them?
The University Store has major Book Buybacks during the final exams of both fall and spring semesters and also purchases books daily during regular store hours.(see the buyback page for actual dates).
During the end-of-semester book buybacks, the University Store pays 50% of the new book price for current texts and 33% of the new book price on current edition mass market books* if:
A) The store has received a book order from an instructor for the upcoming semester AND
B) The store needs copies for its inventory based on enrollment data. When the store's inventory quota is satisfied, buyback prices drop to the wholesale value.
Old edition textbooks are NOT purchased by the University Store or the book wholesaler. Most current edition textbooks not bought back by the University Store for its inventory will be bought at a wholesale value of 10% to 30% of the retail value.
* A mass market book is a pocket size paperback book which is usually pre-priced.
The prices offered for textbooks bought during the Daily Book Buyback are based on a national book wholesaler's buying guide and will fluctuate with demand.
Merchandise Questions
1. What else does the University Store sell besides textbooks?
As expected, the University Store sells a wide variety of insignia clothing, souvenirs, and gifts. For academic needs, study guides, school and art supplies, software, and computer supplies are also sold. For our customer’s convenience, the following merchandise is also available:
- greeting cards/stationery
- disposable cameras
- packing/mailing supplies
- cd’s & dvd's
- snacks and beverages
- magazines
- graduation regalia and announcements
- diploma frames
- FAX and copy services
2. Can insignia merchandise be ordered online?
Yes, find the online store link on the home page for currently available merchandise.
3. Does the University Store have a mail order gift catalog?
Yes, a new University Store gift catalog is usually issued annually in late November. However, we suggest that you visit the online store since it contains all of the product available in the catalog. If you still wish a printed catalog, you can click on "Request a Catalog" under the Contacts link.
4. Are Gift Certificates available?
Gift certificates are available in any denomination. Call (800) 847-9922 for more information or visit the University Store on the first floor of the University Union Building.
