College Focus Reviews

Easy and fast way to get top dollar for your old textbooks.

I had received a quote for my textbook and accepted it. I mailed it to them using the shipping label they created for me. I waited 4 weeks before inquiring as to my refund. They responded with an email saying they hadn't received it yet. I used my USPS tracking number and discovered someone from their facility had picked it up two weeks earlier. I've never received my money. They are now "closed" so I can not contact anyone to discuss this situation. They stole my book!!!

well I would have given college focus a five star rating because I received a check for the amount that I was quoted , than that's when stars start to fall, for the check that I received I am not able to deposit the check or cash it, the bank first didn't want to let me cash it because they weren't able to verify the check so i figure that i would deposit and just wait for it to clear, not even four hours after depositing the check my bank calls me and yes that the check has been rejected and the reason they gave me is that the check was a prohibited item. Oh man I just trip, so now for the pass two weeks i have been sending college focus emails after emails trying to get ahold of someone to explain the situation but nothing no reply at all. I sent about 7 emails, and even submitted a help ticket at there website 3 times. So that is 10 writing contact me please important to the company and nothing two weeks of emails from me and nothing from them. So I figure i try and search for a customer service number or something but i only found this web site to leave a review. I notice that they actively engage in communication here so that is why. I have waited long enough to use my money, i mailed my books out on August 28, 2017, they finally received it on September 26, 2017 and then they mailed out my check on the 29th of September, i received it in the mail on October 6th 2017. And have been trying to cash it since then today is October 23, 2017 and i am just waiting for their reply but i am not going to wait too much longer , of i don't get a reply in two days i am going to take legal action against college focus.

I sent a book in back on 9/20/2017. The book was delivered on 9/25/2017. It’s now been nearly a month and I haven’t heard a single word from College Focus. I did email them tonight for an explanation so I’m waiting to hear back, but a month seems like a very long time. I’m wondering if they would have ever reached out to me if I didn’t follow up with them. Still waiting for my payment in my Paypal account

Honestly if there was a zero star, I would pick that. Please do not use them, they are a scam. They won't give you back your money, its terrible!! I gave them the correct book(chemistry book), yet because it was the loose sleeve option of the same book, THEY DECIDED TO JUST KEEP IT AND NOT GIVE ME THE MONEY OR MY BOOK BACK! Claiming if I don't give them the "correct" book, which it was, they will just "destroy it!" My book was brand new, I didn't even use it for my class. They are also completely rude! Truly horrible

Shipped books on the 4th of September. Received USPS confirmation of arrival on the 11th. Nine days later, I have neither received payment or even confirmation of receival, although my USPS not only states arrival but that it was also picked up (from a PO box) on the same day. Also, College Focus is not responding to inquiries I have placed through the account. I have photos and screenshots that attest to the condition of books and packaging (though as I have stated I have received no word from College Focus, and I have not been informed of any problems in this aspect)and the truth of all statements made in this post. Without any available phone number and no responses via email, I am going to contact the local police where I sent the package, however I am assuming I'm just SOL as they say. I will update this post if anything changes.


*UPDATE*

I just received the payment. I did PayPal and In the end it took 18 days, with the only update being a response to an inquiry the day before payment. I'm not sure if the timing was just irony, or if it was because I began to air it out publicly. With the recent weather in Texas (though I'm not sure they were affected and there was no mention of it) I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. I sent two of my books there because I was given the best quote for those books from them. I was paid the amount quoted. All said, I probably would not use them again. I would also recommend taking pictures of the books, packaging, keep receipts of mailing, and take screenshots of tracking records and all communications. I also found the final sentence of the response (to a verbatim review on a mirror on this same site) , an "apology" for the "one business day" to be condesending and unapolegetic for the true lack of communication along the way. I have updated my review from 1 star to 2.

Not sure why but there are two College Focus' companies you can leave reviews for on TrustPilot. I already left one for the other, but thought I should leave one here to notify the other people of my experience. College Focus changed my buyback quote to $0. I stated that they can change your quote value to whatever they want after you send it to them, which College Focus denied in their response to my other review. However, it clearly states per their buyback policy that :
"CollegeFocus reserves the sole right to determine the value and condition of any included items according to its own standards and policies."
Thus, they can reserve the right to change the value of your quote to whatever they deem reasonable from their assessment of the condition of your book. Those are facts.

Response to CollegeFocus reply:
You completely missed the point of my stated facts above. Also, you reported the review, but I have not violated any of the review guidelines of TrustPilot from what I have read. It really is sad that you have to fight this hard for a decent reputation. It's not the reviewers or potential customers fault - it is your business model. My original complaint was the rude nature of your customer service which was never addressed by you. Those are more facts.

Follow-up with CollegeFocus:
That's pretty bold to accuse a customer of trying to maliciously "cheat" you. Also, for the last time, you keep missing the point. I understand I accidentally sent you the wrong edition of a book - that's fine. I am not arguing about the outcome. I am just warning other customers of your detailed buyback policy (which is legal in all respects - not arguing that) and rude customer service. I have the right to leave a review on a site like this describing my experience with your company. I think it is clear that people can see the rudeness in your responses alone - so, you are not doing yourself any favors here by further argument. I'm happy to see that your reporting of my review was not upheld by TrustPilot because I did not violate any rules, and it is sad that you attempted so in the first place.

Be aware!!!! This company is a scam!! I sent them a book that I bought brand new and I highlighted a few pages. They sent me an email that said my book was poor quality and that they have destroyed it! I emailed them to ask them to send it back to me because I had other book companies that offered to buy my book, but College Focus said that they had destroyed my Book and do not return books!!!! Do not use! Poor customer service!

They have my book from over 3 months ago...they are BAD news...stay away from them. They still have not paid me for my book. They say that it was a mix up at their store but the payment will be sent out...they are liars....no matter what others say about them, stay AWAY from them...I still have not been paid for my book!

A great way to make extra money and their article on counterfeit textbooks helped me avoid several buying mistakes - I love these guys.