Frequently asked questions

Q: I have a question about my order. How can I contact you?

A: If you cannot find the answer to your question below, please send us an email at helpdesk@athenaeum.nl or reach us at 020 530 17 47 (during office hours).

Q: I cannot find the book list for my program. What should I do?

A: We compile our lists in collaboration with your program. If your list is not available on our website this either means that we have not yet received enough information from your program, or are still verifying that all the books on the list are in fact available for ordering. We check and publish lists within days of their definitive approval by their program. Please come back and try again later.

Q: Some of my courses are not on the reading list. What does this mean?

A: This means that you do not require any books for this course (or that the books for this course will become available later in the year). The current reading list contains all the titles you will need to start your year.

Q: Do I need all the books on the reading list?

A: Yes, unless we explicitly mention that the book is a recommended title. In that case it is up to you to purchase the book or not.

Q: Do I need to buy all books at once?

A: You do not have to buy all books at once, but your program does recommend it. Having all your textbooks in possession at the beginning of the semester makes it easier to make a good start.

Q: When can I order my books for a new term or semester?

A: The first semester (i.e. terms 1 and 2 at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, terms 1 through 3 at the UvA) starts in September and runs till February. This means you will require the relevant textbooks soon after the start of the school year. We usually make these available for ordering at the beginning of July (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences) and August (UvA). The second semester (i.e. terms 3 and 4 at the HvA, terms 4 through 6 at UvA) starts in February and runs till the summer holiday. We make the titles for that semester available for ordering in the course of December.

Q: I selected the books on my reading list, but because one title appears more than once. Does that mean I will receive more than one copy of this book. How does this work?

A: Sometimes you need one and the same textbook for several courses. If you choose “select entire list” doubles will be filtered out automatically and only one copy of each title will be added to your cart.

Q: I understand that, because I am a student, I am eligible for a student discount. How does this work?

A: Athenaeum Booksellers offers students enrolled at a government-recognized university or school a 5% discount. You get this discount by declaring that you are indeed eligible for it (tick the relevant box before confirming your order).

Q: I forgot to declare that I am eligible for student discount. How do I get it retroactively?

A: Download our discount form and send it to us with the necessary attachments. If you are indeed eligible, we will reimburse you for the discount.

Q: How much does it cost to have my books shipped to me?

A1 (Applied Sciences): This depends on the size of your order. Your contribution to handling and postage will be:

• € 2,50 for parcels with a value of up to € 49,99,-.
• € 5,00 for parcels with a value between € 50,- and € 199,99.
• € 7,50 for parcels with a value between € 200,- and € 499,99.
• € 9,95 for parcels with a value over € 500,-.

A2 (Academic): please see our general conditions and handling&shipping costs here.

Q: How do I pay?

A: Online your options are iDeal, Mastercard/Visa, PayPal, and book vouchers.

Q: Can I pay in instalments?

A: No, although paying by credit card does imply a certain degree of payment in instalments.

Q: Over the summer, I ordered a book it turns out I don’t need. What do I do now?

A: If you did not let us know beforehand you will not need a book you ordered, you will have received it along with the other titles. If this is the case, we are pleased to offer you an extension on our returns policy, allowing you to send it back to us before this October 1. Please include proof of purchase (a receipt or invoice) and make sure that the book is in pristine condition. If that is indeed the case, we will accept the book(s) and reimburse you electronically for the purchased amount. Please note that this return policy only applies to textbooks ordered during the summer holiday. Beyond that our regular returns policy applies.

Q: My employer covers the expenses I make for my studies. Can you arrange for an invoice for my textbooks to be sent to him/her directly?

A: We can, but we do need a written declaration from your employer that he will cover these expenses. This declaration can be faxed to us at 020 638 49 01, or scanned and emailed to helpdesk@athenaeum.nl. Upon receival, we will invoice your employer. As soon we have taken payment of the amount due, we will contact you to discuss your order and its delivery.

Q: Does Athenaeum sell second hand books?

A: No.

Q: Does Athenaeum buy second hand books?

V: No.

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