Balwyn High School
2XHBookstore
The book sales began in 1988 to raise funds for a Chaplain. Over time, it grew into a busy, computerised service that helps families save money while supporting the school. Now also online for convenience, the bookstore promotes sustainability by reusing textbooks and offers affordable options year-round. Run entirely by volunteers, we are grateful for the support of parents, students, and staff.
FAQs
On this page you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Chaplaincy Secondhand Bookstore. If your answer is not below, please contact us.
FAQs
Who runs the secondhand bookshop?
The present format of the Bookstore is under the oversight of the Chaplain. Last ‘season’ it was re-visioned as a Single Pop-up Event and as always is run by volunteers. In November & December we call on parents (or students) who might give one, two or three half days to help out. It has been a fun and meaningful activity over the years and many look forward to returning each year. If you’re interested in volunteering your time, please contact Verna Woods. Why not join us?
Where are you and when are you open?
For open times and where you can find us, please visit the contact us page.
NOTE:
Open Times and Location for the Main Season will be publicised in late October, and available on Contact Us. Times are very dependent on Volunteer availability, and on access granted for the spaces allotted to us.
How does it all work?
Books:
- Sellers bring only books appearing on our list of 2XHBooks suitable for the following year.
- Details are entered on a database and the books are given a unique barcoded label which is scanned at sale-time.
- Reasonable condition books are generally sold at 65% of the new (Campion) price.
- 50% may be charged for some in ‘Poor’ condition (usually considered a donation to the Chaplaincy Shop - no credit paid to owners.)
- By mid-February a full Statement and notice of a deposited Payment (by Direct Bank Transfer) of 70% of the sold price, will be sent by text/email to the Seller. (A cheque can still be paid if bank details fail.)
Payment options for buyers and sellers
Buying:
- EFTPOS machine is available for Debit or Credit transaction (Mastercard/Visa only)
- By arrangement, we welcome Direct Bank Transfer payment (with text of proof receipt)
- Cash
- At the end of January or in early February, Direct Transfer payments from our Bendigo Bank Acc will be made to the parent/guardian for all Sellers, with the exception of any VCE student who supplies parent permission to have it directed to the student account. (Cheques supplied if necessary).
Can I return a book after purchase?
Changed subjects? Damaged book?
We do aim to provide reasonable condition books and also ask you to check you are happy with the books when purchasing. But with so many books going through the system, problems can occur.
We do aim to provide reasonable condition books and also ask you to check you are happy with the books when purchasing. But with so many books going through the system, problems can occur.
- Returns need proof of purchase and of the previous owner. Please present the receipt (although we can often accept the label as proof – so do not remove label until classes are under way).
- Any returns must be received by the end of January (before owners are paid).
- Books sold at other times have a return period of 2 weeks
How do I submit my books for sale?
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Part 1
- Fill in the form (from mid-November)on "Sell your books" page, or obtain forms from Main Receiption, or by emailing secondhandbooks@balwynhs.vic.edu.au
- Items to Sell/Buy for next Season: these are all matching school requirements. Bring ONLY items. listed
- Seller Details Sheet: to be filled in with Seller Compass identity no., surname, phone no, email and Bank details for parent. You also need to make a choice between the following: donating items unsold by Wed 17th Dec (default). These will be sorted by need, and sent to the Les Twentyman Foundation based in Footscray, for their distribution to struggling families. OR reclaiming items unsold by Wed 17th Dec. These can be collected from 17th Dec until February. Part 2 Books only accepted in the Pop-Up Season (unless by phone or email arrangement with Chaplain at The House).
- Stack your books in a comfortable pile, with largest on the bottom and smallest on top.
- Be sure each book is on the Sell/Buy list for the next year. (The only other books accepted would be Study Aids or fully cleaned workbooks)
- Check each book for pen marks (not accepted), pencil – (all answers and comments must be erased), and highlighting must be minimal. We will not clean for you.
- On your seller sheet list your books in the order you stack them (smallest is no. 1). Note: all year level books can be stacked and listed together.
- On your seller sheet add the book code found on the relevant second-hand booklist. eg. Macbeth 410
- Indicate code status (if it has a code). Write ‘used’ next to code in book and YES on Form. Mark clearly if NOT USED as it may sell for much greater price.
- Deliver – from Mid-November see Contact Us for place and times of collection of books. To be advised. Books not accepted at other times unless leaving the school. Please email or text Chaplain
Do you accept all books submitted?
No – and Yes (See Yes below)
NO. As already stated above, we reject old editions/wrong/dirty/written-in books. In addition to this we do also have a grading system which affects the payment received if books are sold.
Volunteers check books, enter them by the specific code to the Seller's account, creating a unique barcode for the book, which is scanned at sale.
Ebooks: Many books (‘ebooks’) have online password inside the cover. Usage is variable - depending on the Faculty. The use and explanations and re-activating options are ever-changing. We endeavour to keep faith with labelling, advice from teachers, and information to buyers, but we ask buyers to also take responsibility in seeking informationabout re-activation (see inside book cover info).
We approach each relevant head of Faculty to determine whether the code is required to carry out the intended curriculum. Some staff will acknowledge no work is attached to the e-code – it is basically Study Aid material. In that situation books with or without code may be equally 65%, or at our discretion we may reduce to 50% if initial code has been used. Others may say the code is essential and here we deduct the price of re-activating the code, from the 65% or designated price. Codes for many publishers can be re-activated 3 times online (after 15 months). Best practice is to use the following sites to check code status (indicate if the initial code is used or unused). Jacaranda Books www://jacplus.com.au/validate-reg-code Nelson Digital www.nelsondigital.cengage.com.au/verify-access-code Cambridge https://www.cambridge.org/go/codecheck etc Ecodes: as above, if ecodes expire reselling of books can present challenges in those subjects which make use of them. Not all do. Best efforts are made to ensure compliance. Returns apply where misunderstanding occurs.
NO. As already stated above, we reject old editions/wrong/dirty/written-in books. In addition to this we do also have a grading system which affects the payment received if books are sold.
Volunteers check books, enter them by the specific code to the Seller's account, creating a unique barcode for the book, which is scanned at sale.
- 75% (Excellent) = unusual but we occasional receive perfect condition books.
- 65% (Good) = the broadest category and those deemed to be in satisfactory condition.
- 50 % (Poor) = if they are damaged and/or uncleaned. there is no credit paid out, and they are NON-RETURNABLE. Our Motto is “If we mend or clean it – we get the money!” (regarded as a ‘donation’ to Chaplaincy).
- 50% (Poor-but-Pay). At our discretion we may reduce the price for some books but still pay the owner.
- 0% (Scrap) = damaged/wrong/dirty/old. Will be discarded.
Ebooks: Many books (‘ebooks’) have online password inside the cover. Usage is variable - depending on the Faculty. The use and explanations and re-activating options are ever-changing. We endeavour to keep faith with labelling, advice from teachers, and information to buyers, but we ask buyers to also take responsibility in seeking informationabout re-activation (see inside book cover info).
We approach each relevant head of Faculty to determine whether the code is required to carry out the intended curriculum. Some staff will acknowledge no work is attached to the e-code – it is basically Study Aid material. In that situation books with or without code may be equally 65%, or at our discretion we may reduce to 50% if initial code has been used. Others may say the code is essential and here we deduct the price of re-activating the code, from the 65% or designated price. Codes for many publishers can be re-activated 3 times online (after 15 months). Best practice is to use the following sites to check code status (indicate if the initial code is used or unused). Jacaranda Books www://jacplus.com.au/validate-reg-code Nelson Digital www.nelsondigital.cengage.com.au/verify-access-code Cambridge https://www.cambridge.org/go/codecheck etc Ecodes: as above, if ecodes expire reselling of books can present challenges in those subjects which make use of them. Not all do. Best efforts are made to ensure compliance. Returns apply where misunderstanding occurs.