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Frequently asked questions
How to order a book at ?
To order you must create an account. You can do this during the ordering process.
Will I receive a Track-and-Trace code?
You will receive a Track-and-Trace code via email from postNL when your package is packed and ready to be sent. You can find out when your package will be delivered on the website mentioned in the e-mail.
What do I pay for shipping?
The shipping costs are €5,95 regardless of the size of the order.
Who provides the books?
On behalf of the VU Boekhandel ships the books. Delivery is done by postNL.
How long does it take to deliver a book?
Books in stock will be delivered the next working day. We can therefore supply almost all textbooks very quickly. If the books are out of stock, delivery of Dutch-language textbooks takes 2 and non-Dutch-language textbooks 3 working days; exceptions excluded.
Questions? Then mail to: click here We are happy to help.
I have not received my order (yet), what should I do?
Online you can see if your order has been shipped or is still being processed.
If your order has the status 'shipped' in your account, but you have not received it yet, please check the Track-and-Trace code you received in your mailbox first. If you have not received your order 3 working days after it has been sent, please send an e-mail to: click here We are happy to help you.
In order to serve you as soon as possible, we kindly ask you to mention your order number in the e-mail.
How can I pay?
You can pay with Ideal or with credit card.

Where can I find information about my invoices and payments?
You can check the status of your orders and view your invoices online via my account. Forgot your password? Request it online via Password forgotten.

How long will it take for my payment to be processed?
Your payment via Ideal will be processed immediately after you have paid online through the bank. You can see that you have paid electronically by a mention on the invoice and an email you receive from the bank. In our case, this is Worldline, which processes payments from banks and credit cards.

I would like to have a copy of the invoice. How do I get it?
You can easily download a copy from my account.

Can I still change the details on my invoice?
You cannot change the invoice yourself (online). If you want a customised invoice, you can contact us via email: click here

I have returned or cancelled my item. When will I get my money back?
We aim to refund returns and cancellations as quickly as possible. f you haven't received anything after a week, please send an e-mail stating your name and the title of the book:
How do I cancel my order?
You can cancel your order during the ordering process. To do so, remove the books from your shopping cart. Have you already paid and do you want to cancel? In this case, please contact the VU Boekhandel. Please state your order details in the communication.

I cancelled my order, but the book was delivered anyway. What should I do?
If your order was delivered despite a cancellation, the order was already too far in the process to cancel. In this case, please contact us by e-mail. Please state the order details in the communication.
Email: click here
Returns
Undamaged books can be returned in accordance with Sections 6, 7 and 8 of our Terms of Delivery Returns. The Buyer has the obligation under the Distance Selling Act to examine upon delivery whether the goods comply with the contract. If this is not the case, the Buyer must inform the seller in writing or by e-mail within ten working days of receipt. If it has been demonstrated that the goods do not comply with the agreement, the company has the choice of replacing the products in question with new products after their return or refunding the invoice value of the products.

If you want to return a book, you must send the purchase receipt (a copy) with the shipment.

Attention!
You can never return your textbooks you've ordered within two weeks before the exam, nor can you return your order within two weeks after the period has ended.

Which textbooks should I NEVER return?
Except for technical defects, books that have been sold sealed (with plastic wrapping) and are no longer sealed will NOT be taken back.
Books that have a code will never be taken back!
Return shipments will only be accepted if the goods are undamaged.

Who pays the return costs?
The costs of these returns shall be borne by the buyer.
Return shipments are at the risk of the buyer. This means that are not liable for damage or loss of returned items. Therefore, always ask for a Track-and-Trace code.

Will I automatically get my money back if I return an order?
f your return meets the above conditions, the purchase price will be refunded to your bank account.
Do I have with guarantee on my items?
All items purchased from the website are subject to the statutory warranty regulations. This means that an item must be in good condition. If you receive an item/book where this is not the case, we will be happy to help you find a suitable solution. We may send a replacement or refund the purchase price.

I have ordered books from , but they arrived damaged. What should I do?
You have the right to return damaged books bought from to return within 14 days. You can return the book by post.
I don't have an account yet, how do I make one?
During the ordering process, you can enter your address as well as indicate whether you are a the VU Bookstore member. You can become a member online. the VU Bookstore will contact you afterwards to complete your membership. You can always review or change your account information via Account information on this website.
The next time you order, you can make changes to your delivery address or your invoice address.

I've forgotten my password. What can I do?
Via Forgotten password on this website, you can request a new password easily. After entering your email address, you will receive an email with a link to reset your password.

I've moved, where can I enter my new address?
You can change your information via Account information. Would you like to change the delivery address of your recent order? In this case, contact the VU Bookstore. Please mention your order information when contacting us.
I'm using a different email address, where can I change it?
You can change your account information during your next order, or directly via Account information. Are you not interested in ordering anything or do you prefer that we change it for you? In this case, contact one of our staff. Please mention your order information when contacting us.
Email info@vuboekhandel.nl or call us: 020-5984000

I would like to receive my delivery on an address different from my home address. Is that possible?
You will receive your delivery on the address you filled in while ordering. If this is not the right address, please contact one of our staff. Please mention your order data when contacting us. While ordering, you can choose to receive your invoice on an address different from your delivery address. You can change this information for each order.
Email info@vuboekhandel.nl or call us: 020-5984000
Where can I buy my textbooks?
The VU Bookstore sells textbooks for all courses offered by the VU. For a list of all courses and subjects, please see vuboekhandel.nl. We have books in stock for the current or upcoming term. We don't have all books for the entire academic year in stock at the same time. You can visit the VU Bookstore to buy textbooks, or you can order via vuboekhandel.nl. We also work together with study associations. See our website for an overview. As a member of a study association, you can get a discount up to 25% on textbooks.

Where can I see which books I need?
Every course at the VU has a study guide. You can find these study guides online. In the study guides you can find exactly which subjects you are going to follow. If you know exactly which subjects you're going to follow, you can select your books per term on our website. We get our information from the study guides, or we receive the information directly from the teachers.

Want to know more? For questions you can email: info@vuboekhandel.nl

Can I check which textbooks the VU Bookstore has in stock?
On our website, you can't view which books we actually have in store. To check whether we have a book in stock, it's best to contact us or to visit us in the VU Bookstore. A rule of thumb is that we have all studybooks for the current and upcoming term in stock. These can be delivered within a couple of working days. Many times allready the next working! Are you not sure about a certain book? Contact us via: info@vuboekhandel.nl and receive an answer the same working day.

The website mentions that a book is 'in stock'. What does that mean?
'In stock' means that we can deliver the book. 'In stock' does not necessarily mean that we have the book in store. We have textbooks in stock for the current and upcoming term. 'In stock' does mean that we can order the book. The time of delivery is dependant on where whe have ordered the book. For textbooks for the current and upcoming term, time of delivery is usually several working days.
Do you have to be absolutely sure? Contact us via: info@vuboekhandel.nl and receive an answer the same working day.

I need a textbook for a course that has already started, but the book is not available at the VU Bookstore. What can I do?
It is possible that your delivery has been delayed. This could have different causes. We do everything we can to have prescribed textbooks in stock as fast as possible. Most of the time, the following applies: if you weren't able to get it, other students also haven't been able to get it. We try our best to deliver books as soon as possible. We notify the teacher of any problems that may occur.

Questions? Mail to: info@vuboekhandel.nl.

Does the VU Bookstore sell second-hand textbooks?
The VU Bookstore does not sell second-hand textbooks. You can offer your books for sale via vuboekhandel.nl. We sell second-hand books in cooperation with the study associations of the VU. You'll receive a good amount for your second-hand textbook and it will be sold quickly via the study association.

Does the VU Bookstore have booklists which mention exactly which textbooks I need?
The VU Bookstore does not have any booklists which mention exactly which textbooks you'll need. The amount of different courses makes this impossible. In the study guide and online at vuboekhandel.nl is mentioned clearly which books you need for each subject.

Im going to follow a subject, but it isn't mentioned on the the VU Bookstore website. What can I do?
For some subjects, no books are prescribed. Those subjects are not mentioned on our website. It is possible that there are no books for a certain subject on our site, while there are prescribed books for that subject. We'd like to hear about it via: mijnstudievereniging@vuboekhandel.nl

I would like to buy all my textbooks at once, is that possible?
You can buy all your textbooks at once, but we advise against it. It is both very expensive and risky, because the prescribed literature may change. Additionally, textbooks can be replaced by newer editions. This means that you may buy the wrong book, or that you may buy a book which you don't need at all. Only order books for the upcoming term to be guaranteed to get the right books!

I need syllabi, can I buy them at the VU Bookstore?
Apart from textbooks, the VU Bookstore also sells syllabi. For the faculty of Law in particular, we often have syllabi in stock. Syllabi and readers are ordered by professors or subject coordinators. They determine and communicate the required amount of syllabi to the press.

Can I check whether a certain syllabi is in stock?
We have all syllabi and readers which can be ordered via our website in stock. If they haven’t been posted online yet, they are not in stock(yet).

I’ve heard that a syllabi is not in stock. Can I order additional syllabi via the VU Bookstore?
The VU Bookstore cannot order syllabi. Syllabi and readers are ordered by professors or subject coordinators. They determine and communicate the required amount of syllabi to the press. We do message professors/coordinators when we’ve run out of a certain syllabi. It’s best to contact your professor yourself to ask about a fitting solution or if it’s possible for more syllabi to be printed.

What is a students’ union?
For each faculty of the VU, there are one or more students’ unions. They organise all kinds of fun activities, like excursions, gatherings and parties. They also do something very important: they sell textbooks with high discounts. You can’t buy textbooks elsewhere for a lower price! So sign up and make use of your discount!

Which students’ union belongs to my study?
Click here to see which student's union belongs to your study.

What discount do I get on textbooks if I'm a member of a students' union?
If you’re a member of a students’ union, you can get great deals on textbooks. Ask your faculty’s students’ union about the conditions. Buying textbooks at students’ unions is always cheaper than elsewhere.

Reserving Dutch textbooks
If you reserve at a students’ union, you can get 10% off textbooks in Dutch. To get this discount, you must reserve the book in advance. This has to do with Dutch law. If you haven’t reserved a book in advance, we cannot give you 10% off.

Ordering and paying for Dutch textbooks.
If you order Dutch textbooks via your students’ union’s website, you get a 5% discount. You only get this discount if you’re ordering at least two Dutch textbooks at once as a member of a student’s union. You also get a 5% discount when you pay for your books directly at your students’ association or at the VU Bookstore. Also in this case, you can only get the discount if you’re ordering at least two Dutch textbooks at once as a member of a student’s union. You have to be able to prove that you’re a member at the counter. These rules are a result of the Dutch Law of Fixed Book Prices.

Ordering and paying for English textbooks.
As a member of a students’ union, you can always get great deals on (text)books in English. It doesn’t matter whether you order your textbooks online, buy them at your students’ union or at the VU Bookstore: you always get a 12 to 15% discount on textbooks in English. Starting this year, you can also get 10% off on ‘normal’ English literature at the VU Bookstore. This discount is exclusively for members of a students’ union.

Where can I sign up for a students’ union?
Sign up now! It’s most likely that it’s already worth it after your first order. You can sign up if you order via your students’ union’s webshop. You can also become a member directly in the VU Bookstore. To do this, ask for the form at the counter. It’s also possible to sign up via (the websites of) the unions themselves. Click here for a list of all students’ unions.

Can I get a discount on textbooks which I buy at the VU Bookstore if I’m a member of a students’ union?
If you’re a member of a students’ union, you’ll get a card or a sticker on your VU card. As a result, you can buy textbooks from every students’ union with a discount at the VU Bookstore. Make sure that you’re able to prove that you’re a member at the counter using a card or sticker of your students’ union. You can also become a member in the VU Bookstore. To do this, you must fill in a form. After this, you can make use of your discount right away.

Is there a student discount on ‘normal’ literature at the VU Bookstore?
As a member of a students’ union, you’re entitled to a 10% discount on English books. From novels to non-fiction; English books are cheap at the VU Bookstore.
As a professor, where can I indicate which textbooks I want to prescribe?
We are happy to hear from you which books you are planning on using. That information is very important to us. We make sure that we have the books in stock. If any delivery problems occur, we will inform you. Because we order books in large quantities, we can offer low prices to students. As a result of our cooperation with students’ unions, we can guarantee that all VU-students receive their books on time for a low price. On our site, you can fill in the form on the page ‘Professors’ to inform us about the textbooks you’re prescribing. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Can I receive a teacher copy via the VU Bookstore?
On the ‘Professors’ page on our website, you can request a teacher copy easily. Because of our outstanding communication with all large publishers, we can almost always send you a copy.
Does the VU Bookstore sell second-hand textbooks?
Yes, the VU Bookstore sells second-hand textbooks. You can offer your books for sale via this link. Second-hand books are sold via the students’ unions we cooperate with. You receive a good amount for your second-hand textbook, and it gets sold quickly. Once somebody has bought your book, you’ll receive your money quickly. Please read the message you receive after offering a book for sale carefully.

What amount do I receive?
That differs per book. While offering you can choose either ‘used’ or ‘well used’. A ‘well used’ book contains a lot of annotations, whereas a 'used' book looks as good as new. Consequently, you’ll receive the highest amount for a ‘used’ book.
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