Please Note: we recently changed some of our rental policies. Please contact us if you have questions about books rented prior to December 21, 2016.
Thank you for your interest in our rental program. We appreciate your business, and we work hard to provide you with the highest quality books at the lowest prices. At this time, our book rental program is open to customers in the United States.
Your book rentals guarantee
You may return your rented book within 21 days of its rental date. See our rentals refund policy below.
Books rented from us will always be U.S. editions in an acceptable condition. We can't guarantee that supplemental materials (such as CD-ROMs or workbooks) will be included with each rental. Before you order, ensure that you either do not need the supplemental materials, or that you can purchase them separately.
Your rental period
There are several rental periods available. The rental period begins on the date your rental order is placed, and every rental period comes with a 20 day grace period to help you get the books back on time.
If your rental book is not received in our warehouse by the end of the grace period, you will be charged for the purchase of the book. The amount charged is our "replacement price", which is the full price of the book at the time you rented it, minus the amount you paid for the rental (plus applicable taxes). To learn the replacement price of your book on the day you rented it, go to Your Account, select the book, and then click the "More Details" link.
You'll receive reminder e-mails so you are aware of your upcoming deadlines. Please ensure that you provide a valid email address so that you receive these reminders.
Receiving your rented books
All rental books are shipped within two business days of the order date. Once your rented book is shipped, we'll e-mail you its tracking number. This information will also be available in the Your Account area of our web site.
If your rental appears to be delayed in transit, please contact the carrier first. If your book fails to arrive, please contact our customer service at alibrisrentals@bookbyte.com. We do our best to accurately estimate delivery dates, but the actual date is out of our control.
When you receive your rented book, check that it's complete and in the condition described when you ordered it. If you're not happy, you can return it within 21 days for a refund of your rental fee (see our rentals refund policy below). After that time, however, refunds are not granted for any rental returns.
Returning your rented books
PLEASE NOTE the following important information to ensure that your return is processed correctly:
To return your rented book: log in to Your Account, locate your rental order, and print a free shipping label. Place your book securely inside a box or padded shipping envelope, affix the shipping label to it, and drop it off at the nearest Fedex Office or Drop Box.
Early rental returns: If you want to return a rented book within 21 days of your rental order date, please read our rentals refund policy.
Rental books not returned on time
If you ship a rented book after your rental period expires, you may be charged up to the full price of the book at the time you rented it, minus the amount you paid for the rental (plus applicable taxes); it will be as if you bought the book instead of renting it.
If you ship your rented book on time and via its assigned return-shipping label but it is delayed or lost by the carrier, we won't charge you for the delay or loss.
To prevent late returns, be sure to mark the due date on your calendar and watch for the e-mails we'll send you about your approaching deadlines.
Loss or damage of rental books
While you are renting a book, you are responsible for protecting it from loss or damage.
Normal wear and tear of a book is, well, normal. A small amount of highlighting and margin notes within reason are acceptable. However, please be respectful of others who may use the book after you. Don't excessively highlight or mark up a rented book or do anything that would prevent another customer from being able to fully use and enjoy it. We will charge you for the book if it's torn, pages are missing or stained, or it's unsuitable for reuse in any other way.
If your rented book is lost or stolen, you may acquire an identical book and send it in as a replacement copy. Otherwise, you'll be charged the the full price of the book at the time you rented it, minus the amount you paid for the rental (plus applicable taxes); it will be as if you bought the book instead of renting it. To learn the purchase price of your book on the day you rented it, go to Your Account, select the book, and then click the "More Details" link.
Maximum charge for rentals
The maximum charge you may incur due to a rented book's late return, loss, or damage is the full price of the book at the time you rented it, minus the amount you paid for the rental (plus applicable taxes). To learn the purchase price of your book on the day you rented it, go to Your Account, select the book, and then click the "More Details" link.
Rentals refund policy
We are committed to your satisfaction. If you drop a class and don't need a rented book or are dissatisfied with a book you receive, contact us at alibrisrentals@bookbyte.com. Your return must be received within 21 days of the order date to qualify for a refund. Refunds are for the rental fee only; shipping charges are not refunded.
Please allow up to two weeks for a refund to appear on your credit card.
Keeping your rented book
If you decide to keep your rented book, please contact us at alibrisrentals@bookbyte.com to arrange a purchase. You'll be charged the full price of the book at the time you rented it, minus the amount you paid for the rental (plus applicable taxes).
