New Students & Parents
Welcome to the VIU Bookstore!
The Bookstore carries everything you need for your first year at VIU, including:
- New and Used Textbooks
- Art and Stationery Supplies
- Mac computers, Ipods and software
- Clothing & Giftware
We endeavour to keep our prices as low as possible, and to sell (and buy back) as many used books as possible. Click on any of the sections below for more information, or email us at VIU.ca
- How and Where to Buy Your Textbooks
- Methods of Payment
- Buying and Selling Used Books
- Textbook Ordering
- Textbook Pricing
- Textbook Returns
- How to Beat the Rush
- Books on Beds
How & Where to Buy Your Textbooks
We carry all the textbooks for the courses offered at each VIU campus (Nanaimo, Cowichan, Powell River or Parksville) at that location only. Or, you can purchase your books online and they will be sent to you, with additional shipping charges.
If you are shopping in one of our stores, you will find your books on the shelf, arranged by department, course name and section. Bookstore staff can help you locate your books, and show you how to read the shelf tags to ensure you are buying the right books.
Important: Bring your course registration sheet with you to the Bookstore, showing the courses and sections you’re enrolled in.
Methods of Payment
You can pay for your books and products using cash, cheque, debit, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express at any of our store locations. If you are using someone else’s credit card to pay for your books, we require a note authorizing your usage.
Our online store offers secure credit card transactions only.
Buying & Selling Used Books
Used books are a less expensive alternative for students (25% less than new). Students who buy new & used books can, in many cases, sell them back to the bookstore. We buy books for courses offered at VIU, and also for other campus stores across Canada. The bookstore offers Used Book Buybacks every Friday, in addition to our week-long buys every semester. Watch the web page for upcoming dates.
If you want to purchase used books, shop early. Used books sell fast!
Textbook Ordering
VIU instructors determine which textbooks will be used each semester, and place their orders with the bookstore. The bookstore then orders the books from the publishers as quickly as possible. We try to have all the textbooks in stock a few weeks before classes begin, so that students can shop early and avoid line-ups at the beginning of the semester.
Textbook Pricing
Textbooks are, in many cases, expensive books. This is due to the specialized nature of the content, the cost of publishing, and the cost of freight. We try to keep prices low, and to offer alternatives, including as many used books as possible. See below for price comparisons between new and used books.
| New Textbook | Used Textbook | ||
| Price | $100 | Price | $75 |
| HST | $12 | HST | $9 |
| Total | $112 | Total | $84 |
| Buyback Return | -$50 | Buyback Return | -$50 |
| Total Cost of Book | $62 | Total Cost of Book | $34 |
Textbook Returns
Textbooks can be returned with a receipt, two weeks from the date of purchase. Check out our Refund Policy for details
How to Beat the Rush
Shop before classes start in September. Required Textbooks are usually available in August. During the first week of classes, the Bookstore is open from 8 am to 6 pm, Tuesday thru Thursday and Friday 8 am to 5 pm. Usually, first thing in the morning or after 4:30 pm are the best times to shop to beat the line-ups.
Bring in a copy of your registration receipt with you when you come in to purchase your textbooks. The course information needed to find your textbooks is on these receipts.
If you have questions about books, ask a sales associate before entering the lineup.
If you are on a waitlist, we suggest you do not purchase the required books until you are offered a seat in the class.
If you end up in a long line - don't worry the lines move quickly!
Books on Beds
Are you living in the VIU dorms this school year? Did you know that you can order your books through our website and have them shipped over to residence for free so that they're waiting on your bed when you arrive at VIU?
Contact the VIU Bookstore () or VIU Residences (residence@) for more information!