Store Hours

Bookstore Hours

Monday - Friday: 7:45AM - 3:30PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Contact

Textbooks: (320) 222-5590
Other Inquiries: (320) 222-5590 - Willmar

  (320) 234-8524 - Hutchinson
Email: [email protected]

Store Policies

Returns Policy
Privacy Policy

 

TEXTBOOK & COURSE MATERIALS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • HOW DO I BUY MY TEXTBOOKS?1

    •    A: Textbooks are housed on the Willmar campus. Textbooks can be purchased online from the Ridgewater Campus Bookstore website. They can be ordered online and shipped via UPS or picked up on either campus after you have received an online order pick up confirmation email. For online orders, you will immediately receive an e-mail confirmation that your order was received. You will receive a second e-mail when your order has been filled, your account charged and your books are ready to be picked up or shipped out per your request. No charge will occur until your books are ready. Please wait for your second e-mail before trying to come in and pick up your web order. A photo ID (Driver's License, Student ID, or Military ID) is required to pick up your web order.

  • ARE THERE DIRECTIONS FOR ORDERING BOOKS ONLINE?1
  • ARE USED BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR MY CLASS?1

    •    A: Used textbooks are available in limited quantities for many classes on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • WHAT ARE AUTOMATIC EBOOKS? HOW DO I ACCESS THEM?1

    •    A: To access automatic eBooks, please follow these directions:       Login to the MY ACCOUNT tab on www.ridgewaterbookstore.com. Once logged in, you will see a bullet point list. Click on Activate and Access Ebooks. You should see each eBook title you have purchased. Hover over the book you want to access and click access. Wait a few seconds while it loads (if you double click it, it will assume you already accessed it and won't load). Once it loads, you now have access to your eBook. If you are having trouble, please contact your provider before contacting the bookstore. The bookstore only sells you the access to the ebook, and we may not have an answer if it is not working for you. Providers: If you are having trouble with Redshelf ebooks, visit https://solve.redshelf.com/hc/en-us. Once there, click on STUDENT/CUSTOMER SUPPORT and then CAMPUS STORE RENTALS & PURCHASES. If you are having trouble with VitalSource ebooks, email [email protected].  Need clarification? Contact us at 320-222-5590

  • WHAT ARE ACCESS CODES?1

    •    A: Access codes, like Cengage Unlimited, are codes that come in a physical access card. These cards may have a scratchable code inside or be a printed sheet inside an envelope that is sealed. These items can be shipped to you, picked up at either bookstore after ordering online, or emailed to you. Please note: after we email you your scratched access card or open the envelope, you will not be able to return it.

  • WHAT ARE RENTAL BOOKS?1

    •    A: You can rent a book for a percentage of the retail purchase price and then return it at the end of the semester. Here are some rental facts: Renting textbooks saves you on average 50% when compared to a new, printed textbook. How will you know which books are available to rent? When purchasing from our Bookstore website, the RENTAL option will display in your book list alongside New and Used (if available). You can pay for a rental book using any form of payment (cash, check, credit card, financial aid), but a credit card number will be kept on file in case you forget to return it or the book is damaged. If the book isn’t returned or is damaged, the securing credit card will be charged for a replacement book (retail less rental price) plus a $10 processing fee. The rental is for one semester only. The rental book is due back to the Bookstore by the last day of the semester for which it was rented. Textbook rentals returned via mail must be postmarked by the rental return due date. If you decide to keep the book at the end of the semester, you will only pay the difference between the retail price of the book and the rental price (if paid by the last day of the semester). The Bookstore may refuse to accept your rental book at the end of the semester if the book is not in good condition. Good condition will be judged by the Bookstore staff alone, and generally means book spine intact, no excessive damage to cover or contents, all original pages intact, all original components present, and no excessive highlighting, writing or other markings. The book cannot have any liquid damage.

  • WHAT HAPPENS IF I DROP A CLASS?1

    •    A: The Bookstore return policy is the same whether the book was purchased or rented. It is recommended to wait until you begin your classes to open any materials. Once a shrink-wrapped item or e-book/access card is accessed, scratched off, or envelope opened, they are non-refundable. Returns deadline is the drop/add deadline, the fifth day of the semester. If mailing books back to the bookstore due to being a distance learner, click here to find return instructions and mailing address! .
  • WHY SHOULD STUDENTS BUY THEIR BOOKS AT THE BOOKSTORE?1

    •    A: Convenience!! Order online or shop the store! Guaranteed correct book. Only WE speak directly with the faculty regarding textbooks. Easy returns while on campus. Financial Aid, agency funding, and PSEO charging available. Customer service! We have a face to which you can return if problems occur. All profits go back into the college to provide direct services and to keep down tuition costs. Potential of 65% savings on used books (when you buy used and resell for use at term's end). Rental Books and E-Books offer a huge savings opportunity! Even with an ISBN, searching the internet for a textbook can be hazardous. A single ISBN can bring all manner of misrepresented products via the web--wrong editions, wrong packages, severely damaged books--and more. Too often, old editions, books without access codes, International editions, instructor's annotated editions or ancillaries are sent to students instead of the books they really need for classes.

  • WHAT IS THE BOOKSTORE DOING TO DECREASE TEXTBOOK PRICES FOR STUDENTS?1

    •    A: In 2016, the Bookstore decreased prices for all textbooks available through the Bookstore: new, used, rentals, e-books, student manuals, online access codes and all other course materials. In addition to decreased prices across the board, the Bookstore is offering students more options such as purchasing a loose-leaf book instead of hard cover or purchasing an e-book or access code only instead of the textbook. The Bookstore encourages faculty to submit book orders early thus increasing the possibility of finding used textbooks from wholesalers instead of having to purchase new books from the publishers. In addition, renting textbooks is the lowest cost option to students. A used rental book often is about one-fourth the cost of a new textbook.

  • CAN I RETURN TEXTBOOKS I PURCHASED?1

    •    A: We will give a full refund on textbooks purchased from our store if returned in the same condition as purchased and within the timeframe specified in the Ridgewater College Bookstore Return Policy. All returns require the original receipt. If purchased using a credit card, the original card used must be presented in order to process the return.

  • CAN I RETURN MY RENTAL AND PSEO BOOKS BY MAIL AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER?1

    •    A: You may mail your books back to the bookstore by the last day of the semester. Click here to find a return sheet!

  • CAN I SELL BACK MY BOOKS AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER?1

    •    A: Yes! Sell back your books at the end of each semester during finals week! Watch for emails and Facebook updates from the Bookstores regarding buyback dates and information. Sell books back at any time with our online buyback partner, MBS Textbook Exchange. Find how here! 
  • PSEO COURSE SUPPLIES & MATERIALS INFORMATION1
  • CAN I USE MY FINANCIAL AID FOR ITEMS OTHER THAN TEXTBOOKS?1

    •    A: Financial aid (grants/loans) must first be used to pay for tuition and then textbooks. Financial aid funds can be used for tool and art kits, chemistry supplies, lab coats, and other items required by the instructors for class. Excess financial aid funds can be used to purchase up to $50 in supplies at the Bookstore or one backpack. Financial aid cannot be used to purchase clothing or food items.