FAQs

Rocker Shop

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW DOES THE BOOKSTORE DETERMINE WHICH BOOKS I NEED?  Textbooks for your courses are determined by your faculty members.  They submit their adoptions to the Rocker Shop and it acquires your books from used book wholesalers and new book publishers.  It's important you have your course schedule available when reserving or purchasing textbooks. Books are typically categorized as Required, Recommended, or optional.

HOW MUCH WILL MY TEXTBOOKS COST THIS YEAR?   Costs will depend upon your course load and the particular courses you are taking.  Most students should budget approximately $500-$1000/academic year for textbook purchases.  This amount does not factor in the cash you receive at buyback.

WHAT IF I BUY THE WRONG BOOK FROM THE ROCKER SHOP?  You have until the date indicated on your receipt to return any unwanted books for a full refund.  You are required to have your receipt.  Make sure you have all the items that came with the book (many books are bundled with several components).  See the return policy for details.

WHEN CAN I BUY MY BOOKS FOR THE UPCOMING SEMESTER?  Textbooks will be available as quickly as possible before the semester.  Typically they are ready 3-4 weeks before the semester begins.  Keep in mind that late deliveries from publishers, late adoptions from faculty members, addition of courses offered, etc. may affect the availability of your textbooks.

HOW DOES THE TEXTBOOK RENTAL PROGRAM WORK?  When possible, the Rocker Shop offers a cost-saving rental option for textbooks.  Textbooks can be rented for the semester and must be returned to the store in good re-useable condition at the end of the term.  Details of the rental program/contract are made available in the store as well as on the website when placing an order.   NOT ALL TITLES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE RENTAL PROGRAM!

WHAT DO I NEED TO SELECT MY BOOKS?  You may complete a textbook order online and the Rocker Shop staff will select your books for you OR you may stop in the store and purchase your books in person.  Be sure to bring your course schedule with you if you're going to do your own textbook shopping.  Bookstore staff  will be happy to assist you when you pick out your books.

CAN I USE FINANCIAL AID TO PURCHASE MY TEXTBOOKS?  If you have financial aid remaining after tuition and fees are paid in full, you may be able to make arrangements with the Student Accounts/Cashiers Office for textbook purchases.  Speak with Student Account/Cashiers Office personnel for details.

CAN I USE GRUBBY GOLD @ THE BOOKSTORE?  Yes.  Grubby Gold can be used at the store or online @ www.hardrockershop.com.  However, for web orders, you must have enough Grubby Gold to pay for the order in its entirety.  You may deposit money into your Grubby Gold account by going to http://grubbygold.sdsmt.edu.

DOES THE ROCKER SHOP ACCEPT PHONE CREDIT CARD ORDERS?  Yes.  The customer must provide the necessary information including the security number from the back of the credit card.

IF I COMPLETE AN ONLINE PRE-PAID TEXTBOOK ORDER, WHEN AND WHERE DO I GET MY BOOKS?  Textbooks can be picked up at the Rocker Shop during normal business hours beginning approximately 1 week before the beginning of the semester.  Remember, a photo ID is required to pick up online textbook orders!  Please allow adequate time for the bookstore staff to process your reservation.

WHEN IS TEXTBOOK BUYBACK?  Textbook buyback is held during Finals Week and at the beginning of the term.  Finals Week is the best time to sell your textbooks back.

HOW MUCH WILL I GET FOR MY BOOKS AT BUYBACK?  The Rocker Shop pays up to 50% of the  new purchase price depending upon the supply and demand for your book.  Sometimes, due to new editions being published, Mines Bookstore is unable to pay anything for your books.  (See store staff for details about buyback)

HOW AM I PAID FOR MY TEXTBOOKS AT BUYBACK?  The Rocker Shop pays cash for textbooks. J

IF THE BOOKSTORE COULD GIVE ME A HINT ABOUT THE SECURITY OF MY BOOKS, WHAT WOULD IT BE?  Your textbooks should be treated like valuables.  Always "keep tabs" on your books. The Rocker Shop advises making a small pencil "mark" on the same page of all of your books.  If your book is lost or stolen, you can identify it by indicating what the mark is and what page it is on.

WHO OWNS THE BOOKSTORE?  The Rocker Shop is owned and operated by SDSM&T. All profits are re-invested into the University's auxiliary service units of the Bookstore, Dining Services, and Residence Life.

DOES ANY OF MY TUITION AND FEE EXPENSE GO TO THE BOOKSTORE?  No.  The Bookstore is a self-supporting University auxiliary service.  It is responsible for paying for its own expenses as well as its inventory.