Book a Pick-Up
Each step of the booking form, choosing a Pick-Up Partner and a day, and what to do if the first open day is too far away.
Booking takes a few minutes and you don't need an account. Start by entering your ZIP code on our homepage. Here's each step of the form, and what happens when no Partner can book you right away.
Step 1: Enter Your ZIP Code#
Enter the ZIP code where your books are. If a Pick-Up Partner serves it, you'll go on to the booking form. If not, you can send an Out-of-Area request instead.
Step 2: Tell Us What You Have#
- What kinds of items. Check everything you have, like books, DVDs or records. See What we take.
- How many. Enter your boxes, bags and a rough book count. It doesn't need to be exact, but it helps your Partner plan room in their vehicle.
- Many copies of one title? Check that box and add cover photos. See Many copies of the same book.
- Photos. Optional unless you have many copies of one title, but they really help. A photo of your shelves or boxes shows your Partner how much there is. Add them from your computer, or scan the code on screen to add them from your phone.
Step 3: Where, and How Soon#
- Where we're picking up. A home, an apartment, a school, a library or a business. Each one asks a few questions, like which floor you're on, where to park or who to ask for, so your Partner knows what to expect.
- How soon you need it. Pick "no rush" or give us a date you need them gone by.
Step 4: Choose a Pick-Up Partner#
You'll see a card for each Pick-Up Partner who serves your ZIP code and takes your items. Each card shows their next open date and their reviews. Pick the one that works best for you.
If no Partner can take your pick-up, for example because it's below their minimum or they're full, we'll offer to send it out as an Out-of-Area request instead.
Step 5: Pick a Day#
Choose a day on your Partner's calendar. Days they don't pick up in your area are greyed out. Partners come any time between 8 AM and 8 PM on your day, so plan to have your books out by 8 AM.
If the First Open Day Is Too Far Away#
If your Partner's next open day is later than you'd like, you'll see a few choices:
- Book it, but tell me if sooner opens up. You keep the date, and we ask other Partners near you if anyone can come sooner.
- Try to find me someone sooner. We send your request to the wider Network as an Out-of-Area request. See what happens next.
Neither is a guarantee, but both give other Partners near you a chance to help.
If the Next Open Day Is More Than 120 Days Away#
We only book dates up to 120 days ahead. If no Pick-Up Partner for your ZIP code has an open day in that time, you won't see a Partner to choose. The form sends your request to our Out-of-Area system instead, so you don't have to wait. Your request goes to Pick-Up Partners near you right away, including new Partners as they join, and the first one who can fit it in takes it. See In-Area and Out-of-Area pick-ups.
If you came through a Pick-Up Partner's own link and their next open day is too far out, you'll see that date, the day you can come back to book it, and the choice Send my request to the "Out-of-Area" system.
Step 6: Your Details#
Enter your name, address, email and phone. Use an email you check, because that's where your confirmation and reminders go.
Step 7: Agree and Book#
Before you book, you'll agree to the pick-up guidelines, to confirm you're ready by 7 PM the night before your pick-up, and to leave a short review afterwards. You can also choose whether we may text you about your pick-up.
Tap Schedule Pickup. You'll see your confirmation number on screen, and we'll email you a confirmation right away.
After You Book#
- Keep your confirmation email. It has the buttons to change your details, reschedule or cancel.
- Confirm when we ask. Starting 3 days before your pick-up, tap Confirm in your reminder email, by 7 PM the night before. If you don't confirm, your Pick-Up Partner isn't required to come. See Reminders and pick-up day.
- Need to change something? See Change, reschedule or cancel.