Introducing The Blake Virtual Bookstore

Blake is pleased to announce that starting with the 2009-10 school year Middle and Upper School families will be able to order course textbooks online. This convenient and cost-saving program is a joint venture between Blake and national textbook provider MBS Direct. The virtual Blake bookstore will allow families and students to access and order textbooks—both new and discounted used books—based on the student’s schedule and course book lists. The options of purchasing used textbooks (available first come, first served) and selling used textbooks back offers families the benefit of significant savings. See more details on the features and benefits of this new virtual bookstore.

Enter the Blake Virtual Bookstore

*Learn more about the buyback program here.

Please contact Janet Herron for Upper School questions (952-988-3703 or ) or Cheryl Dame for Middle School questions (952-988-3600 or )

Getting Started: Register Today
In order to buy or sell a book, you need to have a registered account with MBS. Having an account enables you to place orders quickly and easily and allows you to track your orders online. Additionally, it allows MBS to inform you if any of the books you bought from us have any buyback value. Your e-mail address and password (which you will set) are the keys to your account. You will register and create your account when you go to purchase your first order of books OR if/when you take advantage of the buyback program (see below). Please note, MBS does not sell or make available to other vendors any of the information you provide when you set up an account.

Frequently Asked Questions
MBS Direct has been contracted by Blake to provide distribution of textbooks and related materials to you. MBS Direct, LLC, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MBS Textbook Exchange, Inc., which is the largest used book wholesaler in the nation. With over 7 million books in their Columbia, Missouri facility, MBS provides students and families fast, accurate and convenient methods of ordering course materials, including online ordering. Here are some brief answers to some frequently asked questions. More are answered here.

How do students order course materials
Online
Toll-free 800-325-3252
Toll-free fax 800-499-0143
Mail order (information on MBS site)

How do students pay for books?
All major credit and check cards
Student financial aid
Personal checks by mail
Money order by mail

What are the telephone ordering hours?
Monday - Thursday 7 am - 9 pm (CST)
Friday 7 am - 6 pm (CST)
Saturday 8 am - 5 pm (CST)
Sunday noon - 4 pm (CST)

Is the Internet ordering site secure?
Yes, the MBS secure server supports standard SSL encryption when the student data and credit card number are entered.

When should students place their order and how long does it take for the order to be processed?
Blake’s Virtual Bookstore will open in late July or early August (an e-mail alert will be sent to all families). Families may begin placing orders at that time using the appropriate student IDs, which will be included in the e-notice. All orders are shipped within 24 hours of receipt, excluding weekends, unless specifically noted during the checkout process.

    A note about English courses: While core textbooks will be available upon the opening of the store, the assignment of specific texts based on course sections will not be available until the first week of school.

How do students determine which textbooks/course materials to order?
When you log in for the first time, the Blake Virtual Bookstore will present you with the current courses for which the student is registered (this is based on the student’s ID) and will list the required or recommended course materials to order. MBS Direct stocks all course materials requested for each course. If used books are available, the student will be provided the option of a new or used book.

How does MBS Direct ensure order accuracy?
Accurate order fulfillment is one of the primary missions of MBS Direct, and a variety of measures are used to ensure this goal is achieved. Most orders are filled from our automated storage and retrieval system. This robotic computer-driven system provides nearly 100% accuracy and speedy order fulfillment.

What if a student wants to change their schedule?
 If a student wants or expects to try to change his/her schedule or courses, please know all changes MUST go through and be approved by School administration prior to ordering textbooks. We recommend NOT ordering books for any class a student may change. For more information please contact your dean (for grades 9-12) or the Middle School assistant director (for grades 6-8). Where it makes sense, we encourage families to work toward a single order as this will help you save money on shipping.

If necessary, how do students return a book to MBS Direct?
Students may return course materials for a 100% refund, excluding shipping. Return policies and procedures are printed on each invoice. Students may call MBS Direct Customer Service at 800-325-3252 with any questions related to their order.

Can a student sell books back to MBS Direct at the end of the term? If so, how does the buyback program operate?
MBS Direct has one of the nation’s largest buyback programs. Students will have the opportunity to sell their books back to MBS Direct if their books are in demand from any of our partner schools. To participate, students should visit their online bookstore at the end of the term to learn more about their school’s specific buyback program. See details and criteria for book buyback.

What are the average shipping costs for returned/exchanged books?
The shipping costs for returning or exchanging books with MBS varies by weight; the average cost tends to be about $7.00. Returns/exchanges are handled by the customer service center (800.325.3252).

What should we do if we have a question regarding a student ID, courses or textbook selections?
Please contact Blake with any questions regarding your student ID, courses listed or textbooks required. Specifically, please contact Janet Herron for Upper School questions (952-988-3703 or ) or Cheryl Dame for Middle School questions (952-988-3600 or )