Buying textbooks for the first time can be a stressful experience or a simple one. The University Bookstore in the Holmes Student Center and the Village Commons Bookstore, 901 Lucinda Ave., are two locations in DeKalb for students to pick up required classroom material. The Northern Star chatted with Don Turk, University Bookstore Manager, and VCB employee Danielle Scovile about the book-buying process.

Northern Star: Step by step, what is the best way for an incoming freshman to purchase books?

Turk: The best way to buy your books as a freshmen is to come into the bookstore, schedule in hand, and have one of our staff members go with you to pick out your books. If you are using a credit card you can order online or by phone and have your books shipped or ready for pick up.

NS: What is the textbook buying procedure at VCB?

Scovile: It is similar to the University Bookstore’s procedure. Employees will be out on the floor to assist everyone and help match their books to their schedules. Here the titles are alphabetized rather than organized by department.

NS: How exactly does the online procedure work and should a freshman buy his books online?

Turk: You may visit our Web site and enter your class information and the books will pop up on the screen. You then select which books you want. Enter your credit card info and decide if you want them shipped or picked up.

NS: What are some mistakes freshmen make when buying books, and how can these mistakes be avoided?

Turk: Freshmen tend to buy all the books listed even if it says ‘attend class first.’ Generally, you only need one of those titles. In large freshmen classes, like English 103, buying a book for the wrong section is very common. Again, using staff eliminates many errors.

NS: What is the cost range for new books?

Turk: New books range anywhere from $4 to $270.

NS: Do you sell used books? What is the cost range for them?

Turk: Used books are generally 25 percent cheaper than new textbooks, and if we can buy them back you get half the new price – meaning students end up paying very little for their book in this case.

NS: Do you have any helpful hints to make a student’s first book-buying experience stress-free?

Turk: Relax. We have lots of books on hand, and if we do run out of a title we can get it in a few days, unless it’s a custom title. Shopping online if you aren’t using student charge is easy.

NS: Is there anything you wish you had done differently when you bought your books for the first time?

Scovile: I would have bought more used books and I definitely would have asked for more help instead of wasting time being lost looking for those books.

NS: What is your sellback policy?

Turk: You may return books through Sept. 9 for a full refund. If they are new books, they must be returned in new condition. If they are in shrink wrap when you buy them they must still be in the original shrink wrap when they are returned.