What's an ISBN?
The ISBN is the 10 or 13 digit number located on the back cover of any book near the bar code. It is also listed inside the book on the copyright page. The ISBN is unique to every book, so it is the best way to identify the exact edition of a book.
Do you buy books without an ISBN?
Unfortunately no, our system can only recognize books with ISBN numbers.
What kind of books do you buy?
We buy textbooks, workbooks or any book you had to read for class or enjoyment. Workbooks must have all original pages and contain no writing inside.
Do you buy multiple copies of a book?
Price quotes are good for up to 3 copies of any book. If you have more than 3 please drop us an email for a custom quote.
Does the condition of my books matter?
Yes. Your books must be in "good" condition or better. All pages must be intact, the cover must be attached and notes or highlighting must not be excessive. Books with water damage, mildew or excessive odors will not be accepted. As a good rule of thumb think of what you would expect if you were buying a book in "good" condition.
Do I need to include the CD that came with my book?
Yes, if your book came with a CD, study guide or any other supplement, it must be included.
What kinds of books don't you buy?
We do not buy International Editions (often marked with "Not for Sale in the US") or Annotated Teacher's Editions (containing answers or instructor notes). Texts printed with "Examination Copy" or "Free Copy" are fine.
How long is my quote good for?
Price quotes are good for 21 days from the date of issue. If we receive your books after 21 days we may have to adjust the price (hopefully not!). Since the postal service can take up to 10 business days to reach us it's a good idea to pack your order as quickly as possible.
How should I package my books?
Any small box or mailing envelope will do for packaging, just be sure to use adequate packing material (like newspaper or grocery bags) so that your books are not damaged in transit. As a good rule of thumb if you can shake the package and nothing moves, you've done well. The post office also has a wide variety of padded envelopes for sale. If you are sending a soft cover book with a CD/DVD please be sure to use a box or other rigid container to prevent breakage to the disk.
Do I have to pay for shipping?
Nope, the shipping is on us! Just print out and attach the prepaid postal label at check out.
How can I tell if you've received my books?
You can check the status of your order by logging into your account and clicking on the order number. If you have any questions please email us at
customerservice@hotpepperbooks.comWhy didn't I get the full price quoted for my book?
If your books are not of good enough condition (see condition question above) or are a different version than quoted (International or teacher's edition etc) we may not be able to pay you the quoted price. We want you to be pleased and will try our darnedest to get you what we can.
How soon will I get paid?
Once we receive your books, payment will be issued within 24 hours. Paypal payments can then be transferred almost immediately, while checks will take 4-7 days for delivery.
What if I have other questions not covered here?
Please email your question to
customerservice@hotpepperbooks.com for a prompt answer. Don't be shy, we also appreciate your feedback or suggestions about how we can serve you better!
