Frequently Asked Questions

Why are textbooks so expensive?

There's no question about it, textbooks are expensive. Depending on your major, some students can spend upwards of $600 a semester on books. There are several factors that determine the price of a new textbook, most of which are decided before the books hit our shelves.

The National Association of College Stores has a chart on the most current textbook dollar figures. Click here to check it out.

New Editions vs. Used Books

The Murdock Bookstore works hard to stock our shelves with the most used books possible. However, when a professor requests a brand new book, edition, or a custome bundle for their class we are only able to offer new texts, as used books are not yet available.

Used books are always priced 25% less than the cost of a new book. This is the standard in pricing for bookstores nationwide.

How you can save money on your books?

Buy used books. They are always 25% less than new books. Go to class first and find out what books you really need and what books you can borrow from the library or your classmates.

Ask your professor to put textbooks on reserve in the library. That way you won't have to buy the book for a couple of chapters and there will always be a copy in the library for use.

If your professor has requested a new edition be used for their class, ask them if an old edition would suffice. You can then buy an older edition that contains most of the same information.

If you don't need or want to keep your books, then bring them to buyback during finals week.

How does it work?

You get HALF of the NEW SELLING PRICE, even if you bought the book USED, if...
The bookstore has RECEIVED AN ORDER for that item from the instructor for the next semester. We will buy it back until the quantity needed has been reached.

You get LASS THAN HALF of the NEW SELLING PRICE if...
a.) The course with this book is NOT OFFERED next semester.
b.) The course is using a DIFFERENT BOOK.
c.) A NEW EDITION was selected by the instructor.
d.) No book order has been received yet from the instructor.
e.) The Bookstore needed quantity has been reached.

Please note, that if there is no national demand for the textbook, the buyback price may be $0 - as the price is determined by the used book company.

The Murdock Bookstore carries new and used books required for your courses. The bookstore personnel request that you bring your schedule with you when you come to purchase your books. Books purchased from the Murdock Bookstore may be returned under the following conditions:

NEW BOOKS must be in NEW resalable condition. NO refunds on books that have been written in or with damage to paces, covers or spines.

USED BOOKS must be in USED resalable condition and will be refunded, at the discretion of the Bookstore personnel, based on the current USED book purchase price.

Refunds/credits will be considered, with receipts ONLY, through the first five day of each semester.

Returns of purchases made by Credit Card or ClipperCard must be accmpanied by:
1. Cash register receipt
2. Credit Card/ClipperCard
3. Credit Card/ClipperCard voucher from original sale
4. Course drop slip (when otherwise required for refund)

In case of a defective book (i.e., missing pages, etc.), an exchange may be arranged. If there is a shortage of books for your course, special orders will be taken.

The bookstore will be open into the evening hours for a limited time at the begining of each semester. These hours will be posted on the door of the bookstore, as well as listed on the bookstore's website. For more information please call us at either 255-1232 or 255-1257.

George S. Murdock Bookstore
University of Maine at Machias
9 O'Brien Ave.
Machias, ME 04654
(207) 255-1257
(207) 255-1417 fax

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