Search results are updated once every 4 hours and do not always reflect in-store availability. If the book you are looking for is not in stock, we are always happy to order it for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

What are your hours?

Monday-Saturday: 10:00am-5:30pm
Sunday: Noon-5:00pm

What holidays are you open?

We close the store for New Years Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Indigenous People's Day (aka Columbus Day), Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, with varying inventory closure the week after New Year's Day. Severe weather closures are usually announced on our social media!

I'm a local author, can I have an event at your store?
 
We have great information for local authors interested in collaborating with us here: Local Authors
 
Do you take consignment books?
 
Under some circumstances we do take consignments. Check out this page for more information: Consignment at Odyssey Bookshop
 
Do you buy or sell used books?
 
Currently we are not buying used books. We have a limited selection of used books in the store, and a broader selection of bargain books both in fiction and non-fiction.

 

Web Order FAQs

If the FAQ below doesn't answer your order question, feel free to contact us.

If you have questions about a web order, please email info@odysseybks.com and put your 5 digit order number in the subject line (if applicable) for the quickest response.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes! As long as the US Postal Service is sending mail to your country, we can ship internationally. In some cases you can finish checking out but it will only offer the option to get a quote on shipping. We can easily alter or cancel an order, so feel free to complete the order and hear back from us on what shipping costs will be. If you want a quote before placing an order, please include your full address and phone number as well as the items you wish to purchase.

There are a very few countries where our credit card service does not take payments, we are working on a solution.

How do I know that my order has been placed? 
You will receive an email when your order has been processed from do-not-reply@indiecommerce.com or info@odysseybks.com, with additional information about shipping or pickup. Please check your spam folder for this email.

When can I expect to receive my order?
If the books that you order are in stock, we will ship them out within 2-3 business days of your order being marked "completed”.  If any books on your order are not in stock, we order them from the publisher, which takes 1-2 weeks. You can also check out Bookshop.org, using our affiliate link: Odyssey Books - Bookshop.org

Can I pick my order up at the store?
Yes! Select the "in-store pickup" option at checkout if you would like to pick your items up at the store instead of having them mailed to you.
You will receive an email or phone call when your order is ready to be picked up. Pickup times are during regular store hours.Your items will generally be at the downstairs register, unless they are MHC merchandise items. Your email should have instructions!

How do I check on the status of my order: 
You can check the status of your order from the order placement confirmation email at any time. You can also click on the “My Account” tab on the main navigation bar and then select the “orders” tab, 

What does it mean that my order says PENDING:
PENDING status means that your order has not yet been assigned to a staff member for fulfillment. 

What does it mean that my order says PROCESSING:
An Odyssey Bookshop staff member is working on your order.

What does it mean that my order says CONTACTED CUSTOMER:
Please check the email address provided with your order for an email from an Odyssey Bookshop staff member. There is likely a question about your order, an item out of stock, or communication about turnaround time.

My order says COMPLETED, but I'm still waiting for my items:
Your order has been approved and your card has been charged. We are finalizing your order and it will ship or you will be contacted for pick up soon. 

What should I do if I’m having issues placing an order on the website? 
First, please double-check that all of the information you’ve entered (shipping and billing) is correct. Feel free to e-mail us at info@odysseybks.com if that's not the issue!

How do I know if a book is in stock at the store? 
If a book is in stock, it will say “On Our Shelves Now” to the right of the book on the product page or under ISBN where it lists “availability” when you search for a book. Our local store inventory is updated every 24 hours and is not 100% accurate. 

Why didn't I get everything I ordered (books)?
With large orders, we sometimes ship partial orders if some of the items will take a while to come into stock. Check for an e-mail from us about your order!

What do the different shipping methods mean? 
Media Mail: This is a cost-effective option for media such as books. It is considered a “3rd class” service by USPS. Shipping times are 5-7+ business days. USPS offers no insurance, guaranteed delivery, or tracking.
Priority Mail: Any parcel. 1 - 3 business days. Automatically insured up to $99, guaranteed delivery, full tracking.
Ground Shipping: UPS.
 
Why is shipping costlier from you than Amazon and other online stores?
We are a small store and don't have the kind of fulfillment center that enables larger stores to provide lower rates. All our non-book items default to Priority Shipping, which means it will usually arrive in just a few days within the US!
 
For discounted books direct from warehouse with reduced shipping, checkout Bookshop.org and set us as your home store! The Odyssey at Bookshop.org
 
Can I return or exchange items that I order online?
If you have questions about returning or exchanging items that you ordered online, please contact info@odysseybks.com. We can generally accept unworn/unused items with their tags, but will not be able to cover return shipping.
 
Can I use my MHC Faculty/Staff or Department discount online?
Yes! Please leave a note in the comment section at checkout and we will add the discount to your order before processing it.
 
Do my books bought online count for my Book Lover Program account total?
We can definitely do this! Put in a note at checkout that you are or want to join our Book Lover Program.