Our rental books program lets you rent your books instead of buying them. This saves you up to 55 per cent off the new price on every single book you rent.

You can either rent in-store in Vancouver or the Okanagan. In Vancouver, you can also rent online most titles over $50 (except certain science titles, custom course materials and ebooks) or you can rent over 3,000 course material titles online through our affiliate for Vancouver at ubcbookstore.rentsbooks.com and for the Okanagan at ubcobookstore.rentsbooks.com. Please note they have their own shipping and return policies.

UBC Bookstore is the only bookstore with direct access to your professors’ book lists, so only we can guarantee that the books are the right ones for your classes. What’s more, unlike online rental companies, we carry all your other course materials: one-stop-shopping! If you order your materials in-store and pick them up there instead of having them shipped there are no shipping costs - more money in your pocket. If you order online, there are shipping costs ($10 anywhere in the Lower Mainland), but then the books are conveniently delivered to your door.

When will the rental books be available?

Rentals will be available in-store and online in Vancouver and in-store in the Okanagan in May. Vancouver rental list here and Okanagan rental list here.

What books are available to rent?

We are trying to rent every book above $50 (except custom course packages and ebooks/digital) in our store and on our website, as well as via our affiliate - 3000+ titles online at ubcbookstore.rentsbooks.com or for the Okanagan ubcobookstore.rentsbooks.com (please note they have their own terms and conditions).

You can rent a USED book and get 55% off the price of a new book, and you can rent a NEW book and get 45% off the price of the new book.

Why would I rent my course materials?

Savings: When you rent your books, you'll pay up to 55 per cent less than the new price. Guaranteed! So, if you normally spend $1000 on new books, you could rent them all for $450
Green: Renting is good for the environment, instead of everyone having to buy a new book, your book gets passed along!
Less clutter: You won’t have loads of course materials taking up space in your dorm - and when you move, you won’t have to carry all those heavy books!

What are the requirements for renting books?

You need to be 19 years or older, with a valid credit card, an email address, and a Student UBC card. You'll need to fill out a rental agreement (the attached shows you what you're agreeing to) either on the ecommerce site when you rent books online or at our front cashier desk when you're in the store. This signifies your commitment to bringing your book back by the return date.

Under Canadian law, a person that has not reached the "age of majority" which is 19 in BC can not be legally bound by any contracts that they sign. That is why we require a guardian's signature. They either sign the agreement online when you 'checkout' with your books or they have to come with you to the Bookstore.

I have a two-term course - can I still rent my books?

The rental program is currently only for single-term courses. If you have rented your books for two-term courses, you can do the following: buy out the book for retail less the rental fee, look into renting it again through our online partner at ubcbookstore.rentsbooks.com or for the Okanagan ubcobookstore.rentsbooks.com (please note that our partner has different policies to the Bookstore) or renting the title again instore (you will need to sign another rental agreement).

When do I have to return my rental books?

You must return your rental books two days after the last day of exams, the same term you rented it. If you rented them for the January 2012 term, the return date was 30 April, 2012. If you rent for spring/summer terms, the return date is August 20, 2012.

What happens if I don’t return it on time, or don’t return it at all?

If you don't return your books by the return date, we will charge to your credit card the retail price of the book. The book will then be yours, which means you have some options: you can keep it, or you can attempt to sell your book back.

What if I decide to buy the book after I've rented it?

At any point after you rent a book, up until the due date for returning the rental book, you can come into the Bookstore with your receipt and let the cashiers know you wish to purchase your rented book. They will charge you the difference between the current retail price and the rental fee you paid. However, once the due date has passed you can no longer convert your rental into a purchase.

How many times do I have to fill out the rental agreement?

You will need to fill out a rental agreement (the attached shows you what you're agreeing to - you do not need to fill in this form - you either give your consent at the point of purchase online or in-store) for each new rental transaction. If you’re renting two books at one time then one agreement will be enough. If you come back later to rent another book you will need to fill out another agreement.

How can I pay for my rental books?

You can pay for your rental books with a credit or debit card, by cheque, or with cash. No matter how you pay, we'll only charge the credit card number you provide on your rental agreement form if you don't bring your books back by the return date.

Can I use my debit card to rent my books?

Yes, we allow debit cards as a form of payment for renting books; however, we can't accept debit cards as collateral for renting. Please make sure you bring a credit card to use for collateral - and let the cashier know you want to use a different form of payment to complete the transaction.

You can pay using a range of options if you use our online rental site for Vancouver or the Okanagan.

I'm under 19, can I still rent?

Sadly, you cannot. However, your parents (or guardian) certainly can! Just remember that they probably won't be here at finals to return the rented books… and nothing will get you a stern talking-to like an unwanted credit card charge!

Under Canadian law, a person that has not reached the "age of majority" which is 19 in BC can not be legally bound by any contracts that they sign. That is why we require a guardian's signature.

Why come to UBC Bookstore over other stores?

Many reasons! When you rent from the UBC Bookstore you have more choices, which means more convenience. Everything you need is in one place:

We are textbook experts, so we can answer all your questions.
While others such as Amazon might advertise a wide range of rentals at 80 per cent off, they, in fact, do not have many of your actual titles to rent.
We accept all forms of payment, from cash, to credit, and debit.
You have the option to buy the course materials during the rental term.
You have the assurance of seeing the book you're renting before making your decision.
All money from the UBC Bookstore goes back to the UBC community - so straight back to you and your departments.

Is it a better deal to rent a book or to purchase it and then sell it back at buyback?

Renting provides a lower out-of-pocket cost to students; however, in some cases it can be more economical to buy a used textbook (when it’s available) and sell it back at buyback. It is important to note that you can’t sell back a rented book at buyback. Rented copies are property of the UBC Bookstore and must be returned to the store, not buyback. You will receive no money back for rented textbooks.

In the store, how can I find the books that are available to rent?

Some of the books have bright green ‘RENT ME and SAVE’ stickers on their spines, however, as we're now renting many materials over $50, many more books are available to rent than just those that are stickered. The shelf tags will indicate if the rental option is available and the new price so you can compare. We will rent a new or used book, dependent upon what is in-stock.

Why isn’t the book for my class available to rent?

Since last year, we have increased from under 100 in-store only to most titles over $50 (excluding custom course packages and ebooks) in-store and online, as well as through our affiliate: 3,000 + to rent online.

My professor said textbook rental was an option for my class, but no copy was available at the Bookstore when I got there. Why is this?

It may be that you didn’t get to us quickly enough, or, what is more likely is that we did not have all the titles available when you visited us.

When will more titles be available to rent and how will I find this information out?

Rental titles are available now online and in-store after this through January's back to school period. There will be further information on our website, as well as our social media channels: Facebook and Twitter.

Can I get a refund on a rented book if I decide I don’t want it or if I drop the class?

No, the date for refunds for this term for rental books has already passed.

What happens if my rental book is lost, damaged or stolen?

If your rental book is lost, damaged, or stolen, your credit card will be charged the retail price of the book charged by UBC Bookstore to purchasers of new copies.

When you sign your rental agreement, you accept responsibility to use the book and return it to the Bookstore in its original condition (no tears, no water damage, limited writing/highlighting etc.). If there is any damage at the time of rental, it must be noted on the rental agreement form.

For those returning rentals by mail, please ensure that your shipment can be tracked via a tracking number. The Bookstore is not responsible for rental book returns which do not reach the Bookstore.

Can I write in the book or highlight areas?

Yes, we respect you and your learning style enough to not dictate what you do (or don't do) with your books….within reason, of course. Limited highlighting and note-taking are perfectly acceptable.

What is not allowed?

Any excessive markings that would mean the book could not be used by another person,

We now have transparent Avery Note Tabs in-store which enable you to highlight your course materials without damaging or lifting inks, available in our stationery department.

Can I use other discounts with rental?

With text rental already being the cheapest way to buy your books, we can't honour other bookstore discounts.

If I am a Distance Education student, how do I return my books to the Bookstore?

If you rented from the Bookstore online and NOT from our affiliate sites ( ubcbookstore.rentsbooks.com and for the Okanagan at ubcobookstore.rentsbooks.com), please return your books by mail and mark your package: "Attention: Michael Guimond, textbook rental returns", and including your name, address, email address, phone number, student number, and if possible, the original receipt. If you rented from our affiliate, they have their own return and shipping policies.

For those returning rentals by mail, please ensure that your shipment can be tracked via a tracking number. The Bookstore is not responsible for rental book returns which do not reach the Bookstore.

You offer so many choices: used, new, ebooks, custom course and rental. What’s the best option?

This is entirely up to you. Each option has its merits. We want to provide you with as much choice as possible! Our staff will be happy to answer your questions.