Off-Campus Books

Off-Campus Books is the most prominent alternative to the campus bookstore. Sometimes their selection of texts for the current quarter leaves something to be desired. Customer service can be gruff at times. Their used books are as-is, so check to see that they are in usable condition prior to purchase.

If you are seeking textbooks for pleasure or general knowledge you can get good deals on books that are no longer tied to classes.

Receipts from an online textbook reseller shipping from the same address are labeled "Davis Textbooks", and some people refer to the store as such. The sign on the west side of the building also reads Davis Textbooks. Off-Campus Books used to have another store in Pleasant Hill, California. It closed down in the first few years of the 2000s.

They're more likely to be able to help than the campus book store if you are looking for either textbooks that aren't tied to classed offered that quarter, or ones that are of different editions.

Their prices are almost always lower (usually $5-$15) than at the UC Davis Bookstore, but sometimes higher. Understandably, then, Off-Campus Books has a reputation for low-balling prices on your buybacks, frequently for drastically lower than available across the street at the campus bookstore! Off-Campus Books may offer less than the Campus Bookstore, but they will sometimes buy back books that the campus won't.

It has been noted that they make buyback offers on the collection of what you bring in, not on each individual book. Some people haul their books between the two and find the higher offer. This can result in a difference between $40 at Off-Campus Books and $175 at the MU book exchange.

To prevent stealing, they have a policy where you have to leave your bags by the door and sometimes even outside. Not all bookstores have this policy so if you'd rather hold on to your bag or keep it secure, you may want to patronize another business.

See that little yellow booth? That's Downtown Phone 7!

• See also Bookstores and the Cheap Textbook Guide.

Comments:

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2008-04-02 20:50:58   I just bought a book from this place and it was pretty decent price. I noticed that the prices were about the same or a bit more than the ones I could find on Amazon.com. I have never seen so many used books before! Heh. —Aarolye

2008-04-16 00:41:17   I got my philosophy of religion book here for about 30 bucks cheaper than the campus book store. I say, if you aren't lazy, go on campus, spot the prices, check online, then go here (and find that it is cheapest here). —CodyDuncan

2008-04-16 23:52:22   I dropped by once just to check out what textbooks they had. My backpack would not fit in their little cubbyholes, and I didn't want to leave it where someone else could grab it. So I left without even seeing what they had. Too bad for them, making it too inconvenient to shop there... —IDoNotExist

2008-04-17 11:24:12   I hate that, "leave your bag at the door" policy. Look, we're not all thieves. I hate being treated like a criminal. Just because a few people steal, doesn't mean we all steal. Anyway, they might be cheaper, but if it's too inconvenient, I'll go ahead and pay a few more bucks elsewhere. The book may cost more, but at least you're treated with a modicum of respect as a customer. —CurlyGirl26

2008-09-02 14:28:13   This place was very rude to me when I went to go sell back my book. When I asked them if they could purchase my book, the guy cut me off when he saw the book in my hand and told me that the edition that I had was too old and they weren't purchasing it anymore. Unfortunately, even though it is one edition older, the UCD Bookstore buys the book back for $70.00. It's unfortunate that they are rude up front, I did not even say anything to provoke them. —IdealParadigm

2009-03-15 13:39:42   When I went to return a book I bought approximately for $100, they wrote me "store credit" for $95. They didn't add "tax paid" on the slip until I mentioned it to them. Although their prices are cheaper I'd rather pay the extra $5 just to get friendlier customer service at the other book stores. —eatsoupwithsticks

2009-06-10 23:25:35   I really dont like this place. I bought a book here (sold out at UCD bookstore) and I didn't notice there was black tape on the front/back where it blended in with the cover. I took it off two weeks later and it say "Free Copy for Instructors NOT FOR RESALE", SHADY! I paid full price and they weren't even supposed to sell it, and there were some appendices/chapters missing from it.

The most annoying thing is that they do treat everyone like criminals. Once I left my backpack, got the book and went back to get my backpack (AND WALLET) and the girl got on my case about it...even though I was just walking over with my backpack/wallet to stand in line and pay. Apparently its possible to steal a book on my way to the cashier...3 feet of space.

I am never going there again, it truly is ridiculous how rude they are. Not everyone is a thief! —sgent

2009-09-21 12:33:04   This place treats you like crap, and I got ripped off on my MAT 21A book here. —michellefong

2009-11-14 23:42:36   When i first visited this store, i also disliked their policy of leaving the backpack in the front but once i witnessed a shoplifter who was trying to put the book in the backpack w/o paying for it. They called the police to handover the guy , i didn't like that rather they d ve just warned him, however crime is crime. The prices are always way cheaper than bookstore and also they bought all my books that main bookstore rejected paying more than i expected. I'd absolutely recommend!!! —exoticdreamer

2010-10-12 16:22:15   I bought two books from this place a while ago since I no longer have a use for them I was planning on selling them online. The only problem is that both textbooks have black tape in the front and the back. I decided to remove the tape in order to see why it had been added to the textbooks. These textbooks are REVIEW COPIES which really pisses me off since I paid almost $200 for both textbooks that I wont be able sell back. To be honest I don't know how these people are still in business. I wouldn't recommend anyone buying anything from this store!!! —XavierDavis

2011-01-14 14:50:56   They are possibly the rudest storekeepers I have encountered in Davis. Workers are unapproachable! I thought it was just me, but I'm not surprised anymore after reading these comments. I wish that Davis Copy Shop didn't refer their readers here. Otherwise, I would never step foot in this place again. —SusanChang

2011-06-08 18:08:36   Don't sell books back here, they are ultra sneaky. I went by with two books and a clicker and got offered $17 for everything. When I told them I wanted to check the offer at the MU, the guy at the counter said "don't bother we use the same software as they do." I walked over to the MU and got paid $130 for the lot. —dijudy

2011-09-21 11:41:39   *Sellers Beware* I wanted to sell my math16 series math book (hard cover) and solution manual. They wanted to buy it for 5 dollars and 1 dollar for the solution manual because it was an "old edition". However, they were selling the "old editions" for $70 and $45(sol) dollars a piece. I rather burn my books than sell it to these people.

FYI-sold it on uloop.com instead . —kkha91

2011-10-30 14:50:02   I bought all of my textbooks here based on price for the ccurrent quarter, and have found that ALL of my books have writing in them. Some just a few notes here and there, others have full chapters underlined and highlighted. I didn't think to look closely before purchasing as I've never experienced this issue with any other bookstore on or off campus. The prices are definitely better, but be sure to thoroughly inspect books before buying. —NicoleLombard