FAQs

On this page you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Chaplaincy Secondhand Bookstore which sells secondhand books. If your answer is not below, please contact us.

Questions answered below:

• Who runs the secondhand bookshop?
• Where are you and when are you open?
• How does it all work?
• What are the payment options for buyers and sellers?
• Can I return a book after purchase?
• How do I submit my books for sale?
• Do you accept all books submitted?
• What changes are in place since COVID?

 

Who runs the secondhand bookshop? 

All secondhand bookshop staff are volunteers. We rely on volunteers to help during the busiest times in November and December. Many parents and students give one, two or three half days to help out. Many, familiar with the stock and procedures, look forward to returning the next year. If you're interested in volunteering your time, please contact Verna Woods. Why not join us?

Where are you and when are you open?

For open times and where you can find us, please visit the contact us page. 

NOTE: Open times are very dependent on the availability of volunteers.

How does it all work?

Books:

• Sellers bring any book appearing on the lists now made for the following year. 
• Details are entered on a database and the books are given a unique barcoded label which is scanned at sale-time. 

Selling:

• Reasonable condition books are sold at 65% of the new (Campion) price. 
• 50% may be charged for some in ‘Poor’ condition (usually considered a donation to the Chaplaincy Shop - no credit paid to owners.)

Payment:

• At the start of March, a full statement and a cheque for 70% of the sale price of any items sold, is posted out to all sellers. 
• The unsold books remain for sale until a new statement and any payment for further items sold, is sent to all sellers in early October (i.e. once Faculty lists for the next year are finalised) .

Resubmit:

• Information is sent with the October cheque run advising Sellers about any books left 'in shop'. 
• To have relevant ones (appearing on the next year's list) remain in the Seller's name, the word RESUBMIT and the Seller Reference appearing on the Statement needs to be sent to the bookstore by sms or email, by a certain date. Or if the word RECLAIM is sent in the same way, books can be returned. (They can of course be reclaimed at any earlier time by request).
• NOTE: If there is no response from the seller, then any unsold items become part of the the bookstore stock and are sold for Chaplaincy profit.

 

Payment options for buyers and sellers

Buying: 

• EFTPOS machine is available for Debit or Credit transaction (Mastercard/Visa only)
• Cash
• Cheques payable to “Balwyn Chaplaincy Booksale” (student name and a phone contact on back)

Selling: 

• Cheques will be written to the parent/guardian for year 7-10, or can be to the parent or the student at VCE level
• Cheque Runs are done approx. 1st Mar & 1st Oct

Can I return a book after purchase?

Changed subjects? Damaged book?

We do aim to provide reasonable condition books and also ask you to check you are happy with the books when purchasing. But with approximately 4000 books going through the system, problems can occur.

• Returns need receipt and our label to identify the original owner. No label – no return!  
• Any returns must be received by the end of Feb (before owners are paid at start of March).
• Books sold after 28th of Feb have a return period of 2 weeks

Labels: Please keep your labels on your books until any changes in classes have occurred or need for exchange has passed. If you plan to remove the label, please attach it to the purchase receipt.

How do I submit my books for sale?

• Stack your books in a comfortable pile, with largest on the bottom and smallest on top.
• Be sure each book is on the Sell/Buy list for the next year. (The only other books accepted would be Study Aids or fully cleaned workbooks)
• On your seller sheet list your books in the order you stack them (smallest is no. 1). Note: all year level books can be stacked and listed together.
• On your seller sheet add the book code found on the relevant secondhand booklist.
• Submit your books directly to rooms F16/F8 during November and December (specific times are provided close to the date). 
• In the time following Nov 20th, if the booksale room is not open, you can submit your books to an allocated box by the Accounts window at Office Reception. 
• At normal times take to F16 (below the Theatre)

Note:  We reject old editions/wrong/dirty/written-in books.  So clean up your good and excellent books. Erase all writing and locate CD’s. Mend where necessary with sticky tape and PVC glue.

Do you accept all books submitted?

As already stated above, we reject old editions/wrong/dirty/written-in books. In addition to this we do also have a grading system which affects the payment received if books are sold.

Volunteers check books, enter them by the specific code we give the book code to the Seller enter unique codes to the computer creating  barcode to the book. 

• 75% (Excellent) = unusual but we occasional receive perfect condition books.
• 65% (Good) = the broadest category and those deemed to be in satisfactory condition.
• 50 % (Poor) = if they are damaged and/or uncleaned. there is no credit paid out, and they are NON-RETURNABLE. Our Motto is “If we mend or clean it – we get the money!” (regarded as a ‘donation’ to Chaplaincy). 
• 50% (Poor-but-Pay). At our discretion we may reduce the price for some books but still pay the owner.
• 0% (Scrap) = damaged/wrong/dirty/old. Will be discarded.

CDs: as condition of any used CD is unknown, there is no price difference if a book is submitted without a CD. But those with the CD generally sell first.

Ebooks: Many books (‘ebooks’) have online password inside the cover.  Usage is variable - depending on the Faculty. The use and explanations and re-activating options are ever-changing. We endeavour to keep faith with labelling, advice from teachers, and information to buyers, but ask buyers to also take responsibility in seeking information.

Ecodes: as above, if ecodes expire reselling of books can present challenges in those subjects which make use of them. Not all do. Best efforts are made to ensure compliance. Returns apply where misunderstanding occurs.

 

What changes are in place since COVID?

During these COVID times, it is important to us that we all ensure that we can feel safe when engaging with each other and handling books. Please read our COVID Health Information sheet.