Textbook Information

The online bookstore has an extensive Help Center with detailed answers to your questions about using the bookstore. 

To contact the bookstore's Customer Service, call 1-800-325-3252 any time, 7 days a week, except for major holidays.  You can also send them an email or start a chat at their Contact Us page.

*If your problem is with an ebook (e.g. it doesn't appear on your Bookshelf), please call (888) 886-0772 or email digitalsupport@bncservices.com

HOWEVER--if your question is about McGraw-Hill Connect/SmartBook, please see our McGraw-Hill Connect guide or contact Central Penn's Textbook Coordinator at TextbookCoordinator@centralpenn.edu.

Please see below for brief answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.  Please contact Central Penn's Textbook Coordinator if you have other questions and/or need clarification (TextbookCoordinator@centralpenn.edu).

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Ebooks:

Q. How long will I have access to an ebook?  How do I access an ebook?

A: The length of access varies by book title.  The most common access periods are 180 or 365 days of online access.  You do not need to download the book to a device--you can access it anywhere on any device that has an internet connection.  180 days is around 6 months, so an ebook with 180-day access will give you access for an entire Central Penn term, possibly 2 terms.

Some books also offer, in addition to 365 days of online access, the added option of perpetual offline access (as long as you have the device).  To take advantage of that, you will need to have a device that you can download the book to--do not download ebooks to school computers.

For all ebooks sold by the bookstore, it is marked how long the access lasts (see below for an example).  There is sometimes a choice between limited time access and perpetual offline access--the limited access will be less expensive.  To see the full details about the access options, click "Digital Rights."

Please see our Using Ebooks guide pages for more information.

 

Online Program Access:

Q: My professor said I need Connect/LearnSmart access?

A: Connect and LearnSmart both refer to access to McGraw-Hill's online learning product.  If your professor requires that access, the access is provided via a course materials fee charged to your tuition bill.

A: You can also purchase access to Connect/LearnSmart, either directly from the publisher or from other vendors.  However--purchasing the access yourself is very often more expensive than the fee charged to your bill.  Please contact the Textbook Coordinator for assistance before purchasing access on your own.

 

Q: When will my access expire?

A: Connect/LearnSmart access expires 365 days after you first use it.  So, if for some reason you need to re-take a course that requires Connect access, you MUST re-take the course within the next year (after being charged the course materials fee)--or you will need to pay for the access again.

For the Accounting courses which use the same book for up to 3 courses (introductory accounting sequence ACC100/110/200 and Intermediate Accounting sequence ACC230/300/335), the access for those books lasts for 2 years to allow more time to take all 3 courses.

If you have more questions about Connect/SmartBook, please see the McGraw-Hill Connect guide and/or contact the Textbook Coordinator (TextbookCoordinator@centralpenn.edu).  

 

Returns:

Q: I bought the wrong book.  Can I return it?

Q: I changed my schedule and don't need a book anymore.  Can I return it?

A: Print books purchased from MBS Direct can be returned for a refund within 14 days of class start or 21 days from the ship date--whichever is later.  See additional directions below.

A: Ebooks can be returned ONLY if they have not been activated, within 14 days of class start or purchase date, whichever is later.  See additional directions below.

A: Access codes, once redeemed, cannot be returned or refunded.

 

Q: What is the process for returning a book?

A: Print: Log in to your bookstore account, go to Your Orders, click on "Return Center" and follow the steps on the screen.

 

This will let you print a packing slip (INCLUDE WITH YOUR BOOK) and a pre-paid shipping label--if you choose.  You can also ship another method--but either way you pay for return shipping.  Address for returns: MBS Direct Returns, [Your Order # Here], 2711 West Ash St., Columbia, MO 65203

A: Ebook: To return an ebook (as long as it has not been accessed), you must go through the bookstore's Customer Service: 1-800-325-3252.

 

Rentals:

Q: I rented the wrong book.  Can I return it for a refund?

Q: I changed my schedule and don't need a book I rented anymore.  Can I return it for a refund?

A: Rental returns are similar to purchase returns but are not the same.  You can return a print rental book within 14 days of the class start date or date of purchase, whichever is later.  Ebook rentals can only be returned if the ebook has not been activated.

You MUST go through the Rental Return process on the website to receive a refund on your rental.  Log in to your bookstore account, go to Your Rentals, click on "Rental Returns" and follow the steps on the screen.  Print the packing slip and include it with your book.  You MUST use the pre-paid shipping label--do not address the package yourself or use a different shipping method to ensure proper credit for your return.

   

Q: How do I return my rental book when the term is over?

A: Log in to your bookstore account, go to Your Rentals, click on "Rental Returns" and follow the steps on the screen.  Print the packing slip and include it with your book, and print and use the pre-paid shipping label (rental return shipping is free).

 

Shipping/Mailing Books:

Q: Where can I take my box with a pre-paid, pre-addressed label?

A: The online bookstore pre-addressed labels are for use with UPS.  If you are at the Summerdale campus, you can take your package to the mailroom in Bollinger Hall--UPS visits there most business days.  Otherwise, you can take the package to any location that accepts UPS packages, including drop boxes: Find UPS Locations

Q: How do I pack my book(s) for shipping?

A: Pack your return in a strong, sturdy box suitable for shipping. Fill the empty spaces with clean filler. If newspaper is used as the filler, be aware that print ink may degrade the condition of new textbooks to a used condition.  If you do not fill empty spaces in the box, your book might be damaged in transit and might not get a full refund.

Tape the box securely using shipping/packing tape and attach the address label to the top of the box. Make sure there is only one label on the box you are using. If you are reusing a box, remove and/or cover previous markings and labels.

The Library usually has extra boxes available, as well as packing tape--if you are on campus and/or close to Summerdale, please feel free to stop by for assistance. 

 

Bookstore Customer Service:

Q: How do I contact the bookstore's Customer Service, and what are their hours?

A: You can call Customer Service at 1-800-325-3252 any time, 7 days a week, except for major holidays.

You can also send them an email or start a chat at their Contact Us page.

*If your problem is with an ebook (e.g. it doesn't appear on your Bookshelf), please call (888) 886-0772 or email digitalsupport@bncservices.com