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Buyback Terms and Conditions
Before submitting a buyback, please read the following policy document carefully.

General information

By submitting a buyback, you are stating that you are the rightful owner of and have the right to sell the items listed. You also agree to the terms and conditions as outlined on this page and have read and understand our buyback FAQ completely.

What we buy

Fatbrain only buys new and used books with an ISBN.

Buyback quotes

Buyback quotes are valid for the exact item entered. For books, this means the exact ISBN and edition. Make sure to enter items correctly to receive the correct quote. The most accurate way to find the ISBN of a book is on the copyright page. Books with an ISBN stickered on the back may be misrepresented.

If we receive an item that is different in either version or condition than recorded, your quote will be adjusted. Fatbrain reserve the right to adjust the quote of any item at its own discretion. Many novels have multiple versions with different ISBNs, and textbooks can have different editions. Many older versions and editions are not being purchased. If we receive an item that we are not purchasing, it will be discarded.

Have more items to add to your buyback?

If you send us an item that is not on the quote, and we are buying that item, it will be purchased at the current price. If we are not buying that item, it will be recycled and will not be returned.

Selling used books

Many books come with CDs, access codes, manuals, or other supplementary materials. When selling a book back to Fatbrain, used items must include such supplements. Books that are received without supplements typically have a much lower value or no value at all.

Condition of used books

Most used books are considered multiple use items and may contain some highlighting or writing. This is not the case for study guides, workbooks, lab / special manuals, and law books. No more than 6 pages of the book can have writing. If any of these items are received in unacceptable condition, they will not be returned to you and will be recycled or donated.

Damaged books

We do not buy items with any kind of visible damage including but not limited to water / liquid damage, spine damage, loose or missing pages, and books with torn, taped, or missing covers. Books must be in sellable condition to be purchased. Books that are rejected by your local bookstore because they are in poor condition will also be rejected by Fatbrain.

Other unacceptable books

Fatbrain does not buy or sell custom editions, used loose-leaf / binder ready products, used / opened software, or defective / mis-printed books.

Rejected books

Items that we are not currently buying, or damaged, or are otherwise rejected because they violate our purchasing guidelines will be discarded and not returned to you. Read our FAQ carefully to ensure that all of the items you plan to sell are eligible for a buyback.

Items not received

Fatbrain is not responsible for items lost in the mail or missing.


All items are inspected by us upon receipt. You understand and agree that if, in our sole discretion, any item is determined or suspected by us to be counterfeit or otherwise infringing on any law or the intellectual property rights of any party, we may retain and destroy the item without payment to you and without giving rise to any other obligation to you. You also understand and agree that we will not return or otherwise distribute any items determined or suspected by us to be counterfeit or otherwise infringing on any law or the intellectual property rights of any party. You will hold harmless and indemnify us for any claim arising from the receipt of infringing or otherwise unlawful goods from you.