Frequently Asked Questions

What do I Do When My Container is Full?

Call or email Got Books! We don’t have an automatic pick-up schedule so you’ll need to let us know each time your container is ready to be emptied. Call 978-284-2514 or email Fundraise@GotBooks.com.

How do I Know When My Container is Full?

There are a few ways to identify a full container.

1. You won’t be able to get anymore books inside the container.

2. You may be able to see books through the slot as the level of books rises.

3. The sound that the books make as they’re deposited through the slot will give you a clue as to how full the container is. Sometimes a container appears to be full, but it’s just that the books have settled in the front underneath the slot. In this case, it is helpful to push the books back with something as common as a broom handle or shovel.

How Long After I Call or Email Does it Take for My Container to Be Emptied?

Pick-up wait times vary depending on the time of year. Generally our turn around time is 1-4 days from the notification. A slightly longer wait is possible during our summer busy season.

What Do I Do if There are Boxes of Books Left Outside My Container?

Although we discourage people from leaving items outside of the containers, sometimes boxes are left next to the bin.

1. If there is room left in the container simply deposit the books into it.

2. Once the container is full, let us know and we’ll schedule a driver to empty it as soon as possible.

3. When the driver arrives to empty the container, he’ll always clean up the surrounding area of book and box debris.

What Happens to the Books Collected From My Container?

All of the books we collect are brought back to our warehouse in Wilmington, MA where they’re hand sorted for their best use. Books are repurposed via online sales, distribution to one of our retail locations, redistribution back into the community or going overseas to local troops. If we aren’t able to reuse them in any way we recycle them.

Are There Any Items That Can Not Go Into My Container?

We accept hardcover and paperback books, as well as CDs, DVDs, audio books and records. We are not able to accept encyclopedias, magazines, VHS tapes or sets of law reference material. Books that have been weeded out from a school or library or leftover after a book sale are not meant to go in the container.

Why Don’t You Want School & Library Books or Book Sale Leftovers?

We recognize that books that have been weeded from school or library collections or left over after a book sale may still have value as books. However, we have a much lower success rate of repurposing and reselling these already passed over book sale items, which is why we can’t offer payment for them. Books that are weeded form a school’s collection consist of dozens to thousands of the same book, which on an individual basis we might be able to repurpose, but we are unable to do so in such high volume. Instead of depositing these books into containers we will collect them through our free pick-up service. There is no payment for these types of books.

Do Books Get Damaged When They Are Deposited Into My Container?

When books are deposited into a container they lay there undisturbed until our drivers come empty the container by hand. We wouldn’t be able to collect books in this manner if we were receiving them in damaged condition. The books are hand sorted in our warehouse where careful attention is paid to preserving the quality of the books.

Do You Have Posters or Fliers to Promote My Container?

Sure! Through your digital marketing kit, you have access to many tools and resources to promote your container, including flyer and poster templates.

How Can I Boost Community Awareness About My Container?

Check out the Promoting Container page and Digital Marketing Kit  for some helpful tips and ideas about how to let your community know about your Got Books fundraising container. The online digital marketing kit provides you with promotional materials to help spread the word within your community and beyond.

Can I Put My Own Sign on My Container?

Yes! Just let us know beforehand and please be sure that the Got Books signs remain visible.

When Do I Get Paid?

Checks are issued monthly for all of the items collected during the previous month.

Can My Organization Get Paid for Items Picked up at a Residence?

We can only pay you for items collected from your container. Encourage all of your ‘readers’ to bring their books to you!

Can I Change My Payment Info?

If you’d like to make a permanent change about how your checks are made out or where they’re mailed just let us know.

Can My Container Be Moved to a Different Spot on My Site?

If you have a more visible and accessible location for your container on site, it can be moved. However, a tow truck is required, so your organization is responsible for the cost of the move. Please call us to discuss these options.

Can Got Books Drivers Move My Container when They Empty it?

The containers have to be moved by flatbed tow truck (even if it’s just being moved a few feet). Our Got Books trucks are not capable of moving the container.

What Do I do If I Want a Bigger Container?

It is possible to switch a container on site. Please call us at 978-416-8288 to discuss the details regarding placing a larger container. A flatbed tow truck would have to bring in the new container and remove the old one. The tow truck fee will be deducted from your proceeds.

Can I Have a Key to The Container?

Insurance regulations preclude us from distributing keys to our containers.

Can I Place Another Container?

Certainly! We work with several organizations that have multiple containers earning money for them. Containers must be place one mile or more apart. Read more about multiple containers here. Please call us to discuss the options available to your organization.

Is There Any Upfront Cost to Getting Involved in This Program?

There is no cost to your group to get involved!

What if I Want to Remove The Container Before the One Year Mark?

As stated in your container placement agreement, this program is a yearlong fundraiser and we ask that you make a one year commitment to keep the container. If the container must be removed before the one year mark (from the delivery date) the cost of the removal will be withheld from the profit generated. The reason for this is that we’ve invested time, energy and money into the placement and promotion of your specific container location. Keeping a container in one location for one year justifies our costs associated with the placement, maintenance, promotion and everything else related to each of our containers.

What Do I Do If Someone Accidentally Puts An Item in My Container & They Want it Back?

Please make sure that the items you donate are intended to be given away by either yourself or the owner. Because our containers are only emptied when they are completely full of thousands of books, once you have deposited a book or other item into a book donation container we are unable to retrieve it. We are not able to dispatch an employee to retrieve your item. Multiple container contents are put together in a single truck and brought to the warehouse making it impossible to locate any one specific item.