- Who owns the University Shop?
- Where is the store located?
- When is the University Shop open?
- Is the University Shop open during the Summer months?
- Can I get any discounts at the University Shop?
- Do you have gift certificates or gift cards?
- Can I shop on-line for Villanova merchandise?
- Can I buy my textbooks online?
- Can I rent my textbooks?
- Can I buy digital content rather than printed textbooks?
- Why do textsbooks cost so much?
- Why do textbooks go out of print or into new editions?
- Can I get money back on my used textbooks at the end of the semester?
- Can I call or e-mail someone on the University Shop staff directly?
- What is the University Shop's position on fair labor practices for licensees of collegiate products?
Who owns the University Shop?
The University Shop is institutionally owned & operated by Villanova University. All its staff members are employees of the University. Net revenue after all expenses is retained by Villanova as a contribution to the general operating expenses of the University.
Where is the store located?
The University Shop is located in Kennedy Hall on campus, next to the Connelly Center. The campus is located on PA, Route 30 in Villanova, PA, just off Exit 13 (old Exit 5) of Interstate 476. Parking for the University Shop is in the Main Lot, located on the eastbound side of Lancaster Ave./Rte. 30, at the junction of Lancaster Ave. and Ithan Ave. From that parking lot it is a short walk onto campus, and to Kennedy Hall.
When is the University Shop open?
Please see the Store Hours page for a complete schedule.
Is the University Shop open during the Summer months?
Yes. The University Shop observes regular store hours year-round, including the summer months. Please see the Store Hours page for a complete schedule.
Can I get any discounts at the University Shop?
Yes. The University Shop gives a 5% discount on all purchases, every day, in addition to any other applicable discount or sale price when you pay with your Villanova Wildcard debit card. Using your wildcard account will save you money not only on textbooks but on everything you buy all year round. Also, please note that all used textbooks are sold at a 25% discount from the new prices.
Do you have gift certificates or gift cards?
Yes. The University Shop offers gift cards in any multiple of $5 for yourself or anyone else. Just call us toll free at 1-800-462-4724 or go to our on-line gift catalog to place a U-Shop gift card order. The University Shop is also an alternate location to purchase the special Villanova Wildcard Gift Cards. These are good for purchases at all locations (on-campus & off-campus) that already accept the Wildcard, and if used at the University Shop, they carry the same 5% discount on all purchases that regular Wildcards carry (see FAQ above). These Wildcard Gift Cards are available in the University Shop, at the Customer Service counter, anytime during business hours; no on-line sales of these gift cards are available. We are authorized to sell only $5, $10 & $20 Wildcard gift cards, and can only accept cash or checks for payment for them. Payment in full is required at time of purchase; no discounts apply. Any questions regarding this Wildcard Gift Card program should be directed to the Wildcard Office, at 610-519-5031.
Can I shop on-line for Villanova merchandise?
You may shop on-line for several categories of Villanova apparel and other merchandise by going to the e-stores listed at the bottom of our homepage. These e-stores include links to selections of VU apparel and gifts, software & technology products, school & office supplies, digital photo services, and other special product offerings.
Can I buy my textbooks online?
Yes. Our villanovabookstore.com web site includes a feature that lets you research the correct books for your classes, see our prices and competing online prices, and select for purchase which books you want from each source. It allows you to place titles in separate electronic shopping carts and checkout with each of them to make your purchases. If you select "On-Campus" pickup, the shipping charges are reduced and your package will be available for pickup in one of the student mail rooms on campus (either Kennedy Hall or West Campus.) See details about all of this at our dotcom site.
Can I rent my textbooks?
Yes. Our villanovabookstore.com web site includes a feature that lets you rent many textbook titles through a third party order fulfillment company that we have contracted with for rental textbooks. Your transaction is directly with that company and they will ship your rental titles to whatever address you choose.
Can I buy digital content rather than printed textbooks?
Yes. Our villanovabookstore.com web site includes a feature that lets you buy many textbook titles through two different order fulfillment companies that we have contracted with for digital textbooks. Your transaction is directly with those companies and you will receive download instructions from them at the time of purchase.
Why do textsbooks cost so much?
Basically because textbook publishing is a labor intensive industry. The majority of what a student pays for a textbook (over 70%) goes to the publisher to pay the authors, editors, proofreaders, printers, salespersons and other employees they employ in producing textbooks as well as a moderate profit. Here are some resources: The Textbook Dollar Chart, Textbook Reviews & Ratings (not affiliated with the University Shop or Villanova University.) or Straight Talk On Textbooks.
Why do textbooks go out of print or into new editions?
Textbook publishers determine when a current text title needs to be revised or is no longer saleable. Once they announce that a particular title is being revised or going out-of-print it makes all existing copies of that title obsolete and of no value on the used book market. The University Shop maintains a comprehensive database of all known book titles used for courses and keeps this list current so that the most current edition of any title chosen by faculty members is always stocked.
Can I get money back on my used textbooks at the end of the semester?
Yes. The University Shop conducts used book buybacks at the beginning and end of each semester and at the end of summer sessions. The best time to sell us your used books is during final exams week in December or May because we are buying more titles for our own inventory then. When we buy titles for our own inventory we pay one half of the current new price for that title, regardless of whether you bought the book as new or used, or where you bought it. When the title you are selling us is not one we need the buyer will offer a wholesale price based on national demand for that title. We pay for all the used books we buy in cash. You may see the dates of our next scheduled used book buyback under "Special Services" on our homepage.
Can I call or e-mail someone on the University Shop staff directly?
Yes. A complete list of all our staff members, their phone numbers and e-mail addresses can be found on the Staff page.
What is the University Shop's position on fair labor practices for licensees of collegiate products?
The University Shop is owned by Villanova University and therefore participates in the university's overall position on this issue, which can be found on the Villanova Athletics web site.
