BookFool’s 100% Return Guarantee
It’s been a busy selling season here at BookFool.com. We strive to get all orders out the door in one business day or less, which means we’re usually shipping on Saturdays (and some Sundays) just to keep up with the demand. Students need their books and they need them fast!
A month ago, we took a hard look at our return policy and made a major change. In the past, anyone could make a return and receive a portion of their purchase price (often 100%) depending on the age of the order and whether we made a mistake or they did.
Well, this was confusing. Some even found it annoying.
We kept putting ourselves in the unfortunate position of having to ascertain who was at fault before every return, which seriously complicated our customer service efforts and more than doubled our load of emails. Of course we would always defer to customers who said that BookFool was at fault, but it still required more emails than it should have to resolve the situation.
So we simplified everything. Meet the Foolish Guarantee:
Within 30 days of purchase, if you return your book in the same condition as when we shipped it, we will refund 100% percent of your purchase price and reimburse you $3.99 for return shipping, for any reason! We only ask that you contact us for a Return Authorization before shipping anything back to us.
100% return guarantee + free return shipping. We want you to buy with confidence! What do you think?
WANTED: Marketing/Communication Intern for Spring-Summer 2010
If you’re ready to make a serious contribution to a worthy cause—rehabilitating the textbook industry—BookFool.com is offering real resume-building experience in Marketing, PR, and Event Planning.
BookFool.com is an independent, rapidly growing East Nashville textbook seller. Though not a large company, we do have a big impact, and there is still time to write yourself into the BookFool story in a profound way.
WHO WE NEED
We’re looking for a detail-oriented intern who can work independently and communicate professionally. This includes writing, which you will be doing a lot of.
Your official title will be Marketing Intern with a direct report to our Minister of Communication (Marketing Director), but like everyone at BookFool, you will wear many hats. Responsibilities include:
- Writing and distributing press releases.
- Helping establish and maintain our presence in social media.
- Researching and writing critical marketing reports.
- Making phone calls on behalf of the Fool.
- Compiling media lists and building media relations.
- Setting up new business relationships with schools and professors.
- Finding new ways to grow the Fool’s media reach.
- Much more…
Past marketing interns have created and curated a haiku contest for the Tomato Art Fest, painted a 15-foot mural of one of our favorite poems, written numerous blog posts, built media contact lists, and more.
APPLY
This internship pays $7.25/hr. You must have occasional transportation to our East Nashville location, though some of your work can be done from home. Please send resume with references and a writing sample to this email address.
We Have the Best Customers
Businesses are made up of individuals. Obvious, right? But how often do we forget this?
When we complain about unfair treatment, we start off mean and super-aggressive, shaking our fist and raising our voice, as if that’s the only way to get our way. And then when we get what we want, we never go back to say thanks, even if it was our own mistake that caused the problem.
We forget that it’s a real person we’re complaining to on the other end of the line.
The textbook industry has notoriously bad customer service, which is something we’re trying to change. But considering how poorly our customers have been treated by other sellers, I’m always surprised by how generous and good-humored they are to us.
Just last week, Jenise and Ashley came by to pick up a book and brought cupcakes for the whole crew so we could help them celebrate their birthdays. Happy to oblige!
Last night, I received the following email from Aundrea:
I just wanted you to know that I have been using your service for quite some time and I am VERY pleased. This semester I bought all my books using the BookFool.com service and it saved me around $500!!! I also love the buy back service that comes around to my school. When I used it two semesters ago, I was able to buy my books for the next semester with the money BookFool.com gave me for my books! Again Thank you so much for your service!!!
Last week, we received this message from Alexandria:
I love bookfool.com! You’ve been to my school to buy back books. And I love it. And I’ve ordered my books through you guys for this semester. I’ve saved about $150 so far because of bookfool.com. Continue with your greatness! Thanks!
Needless to say, receiving compliments out of the blue really makes our day. Apropos of nothing, these customers (and many more) have taken a few minutes out of their day to send us a virtual cupcake. We forward them around the office, print them out, and then work extra hard to be worthy of such praise.
Question of the Day: Who should you send a virtual cupcake to today? I guarantee you will make their day.
Scenes from Buyback Fall 2009
And now, a few of our favorite scenes from this year’s many Buybacks.

Buying at the excellent Underground Coffeehouse in Searcy, AR. FUN FACT: Two of the full-time Fools attended Harding Univ. in Searcy.
And finally, a short video from our visit to Calhoun Community College in Tanner, AL:
The Spot Restaurant in Cleveland TN
Our buyback location in Cleveland, Tennessee is The Spot Restaurant, home of incredible burgers, homemade shakes and frostys, chili, hot dogs, coffee, and more!
I had the burger, which was hot off the grill and hit the … well … spot. I haven’t had a shake yet, but I hear they’re good enough to make you want to move to Cleveland so you can have ‘em every day.
The Spot buyback serves students from Lee University, Cleveland State Community College, and other area campuses. See the details on our LOCATIONS page.
Here are a few pics from my visit. If you haven’t been to The Spot, what are you waiting for?! They also now serve breakfast.

The Spot crew, from their website: spotrestaurant.com
The Fool’s Guide to Dormology
Introduction to Dormology
By: David, Intern to the Stars
Welcome to Dormology 101 with the Fool. In this series of posts, you will learn everything you need to know about dormology. But first things first: What in the wide world of academics is dormology?? Think of it this way:
- Biology: The science of life or living matter in all its forms and phenomena.
- Psychology: The science of the mind or of mental states and processes.
- Sociology: The science or study of the origin, development, organization, and functioning of human society.
- Dormology: The science or study of origin, development, organization, and functioning dorm life in all its forms and phenomena.
- NOTE: Biology and Dormology overlap in that they both deal with lots of spiders.
So there you have it. Through this blog-tacular series, readers will receive a top-of-the-line education in the basics of dormology. Upon graduation, some of you may even move on to become professional dormologists (see: Residence Director, or RD), and will look back fondly on your inaugural education you received from the Fool.
Now, I know what you may be thinking: Why should I believe that this PhD-less guy is an expert in dormology? What am I doing learning dormology from some quack with no credentials whatsoever? Please, let me set your mind at ease.
First of all, I am a college student, and there are no better credentials in the world of dormology. Not only this, but being your standard college student, I literally know everything (or at least think I do, and I’m sure that counts for something). Aside from being a college student, it is also important for you to know that I have a vision: to inform, to educate, to mold. Not only will this course in dormology make an expert of you, but–with dedication on your part–you will be molded into the perfect “dorm-user.”
So now that you’ve had your introduction, let me give you a preview of what is to come:
- Chapter 1: The history of the dorm, including its monastic roots.
- Chapter 2: A close look at what it takes to be a roommate.
- Chapter 3: Real-life case studies regarding crazy roommates.
- Chapter 4: Hilarious dorm pranks which, of course, we would never advocate.
- Chapter 5: An in-depth discussion of the dorm bathroom.
- Chapter 6: Some great recipes that have helped dorm-users to survive with only a microwave and a mini-fridge.
- Chapter 7: Dorm décor ideas that will help you turn your prison-cell of a room into a cozy den of man- or womanliness.
Stay tuned, get pumped, you are about to be educated.
Students: Know Your Textbook Rights!
When it comes to selling your textbooks, you have rights. Even when your bookstore has a monopoly in your town, this Bill of Buyback Rights holds true. Print it off and take it with you!
The Bill of Buyback Rights
You have the right to fair treatment.
Your school exists to serve YOU, the student. If they are not treating you fairly at buyback time, they have failed in their main objective.You have the right to use your books for exams…
…and not have to worry about selling them before the bookstore hits their quota and drops their prices. Campus bookstores say to sell early to get the best prices, but your school (of all places) should care for your academic needs by holding the high prices until after your exams. Don’t be pressured to sell a book you need to study.You have the right to something better than wholesale prices.
When your campus bookstore hits their quota for the year (which usually happens on the first day of buyback), they drop to “wholesale prices,” which are insultingly low. You don’t have to take it!You have the right to a second opinion.
This is why BookFool exists and fights against monopolies for you.You have the right to shop around.
Any bookstore that refuses to let you compare prices does not have your best interests at heart.You have the right to think about an offer before accepting it.
If someone tries to pressure you to sell quickly, tell them to back off. You have a right to think about it.You have the right to walk away.
You can do anything with a book you own. You can throw it away, give it away, sell it online, whatever! And you never have to accept an offer that you don’t like.
Don’t get pushed around by textbook monopolies any more. Stand up for your rights!
Manager Training Fall 2009
We want to say a big Foolish thanks to our managers who made it out for manager training this Saturday. You are now prepared to free students from the monopolies that pay them so little for their books!
Here are a few shots from the day:
And finally, a short clip from the day:

































