Student Store...books and beyond

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns the College Bookstore?	The store is owned and operated by the Los Angeles Community College District and is an integral part of Pierce College. Its primary purpose is to provide textbooks, supplies, products and services required by the College Community to support academic life and the academic mission of the institution.
How are textbooks selected?	The textbook procurement process begins when an instructor fills out a Textbook Request Form listing the textbooks that he/she has selected for classroom use. The form is signed by both the instructor and the Department chair and forwarded to the Bookstore for processing.
How are textbooks ordered?	Upon receiving the Textbook Request Form, the Bookstore's Buyers enter these orders into an inventory control system. The Buyers then analyze factors such as order histories, market demand and expected enrollment. After this process, they first place orders with used book wholesale companies around the nation. When they have purchased as many used books as they can find, they fill their remaining order quantities by purchasing new books from the Publishers.
How do I find my Textbooks in the store?	The Bookstore's textbook section is organized alphabetically by academic departments starting with "Accounting" and ending with "Welding." You will find plastic shelf tags with information on them including the class number and the Instructor's name. If there isn't a shelf tag for your book, an instructor may not have submitted a Textbook Request Form. You can verify the books for your particular class by checking the information booklets in the store, or going to the Bookstore's ordering website at http://www.piercebookstore.com/ .
When I purchase my books what should I look for?	Please read all the signs and note the last day to return your books in the event that you change your class. Keep your receipt because all returns must be accompanied by the original receipt. Check the condition of your books. If you notice any strange marks or damage, report them to the cashier immediately.
Why is the Price of my textbook so high?	We often hear the complaint from students that textbooks prices are too high. Inflation has certainly taken its toll over the past few years. The Bookstore is aggressively working against this trend through an aggressive buyback program and by strengthening its partnerships with Publishers, Instructors and the ASO. The rising costs of textbooks must be addressed by all these decision making partners. In general, when considering textbook prices, it is important to give serious thought to the benefit gained through their use. It is also important to note that the sales margin has been established by the Board of Trustees and that all books are priced using that set margin. The Bookstore is required to be a self-sustaining operation which includes paying for rent, salaries, fixtures, equipment, and to provide additional resources and benefits to other college activities.
What other services does the Bookstore provide?	The bookstore provides a number of services to the students attending the college, including: Year round Buyback, a Public FAX, Class Rings, US postage stamps, Calculator rentals, Public copier, Special Orders, Gift Certificates/ Gift Cards