Church Booktables

Many congregations have books for sale before and after Sunday services. The church booktable (often called a bookstore or bookstall) is a popular way to raise money and keep your congregation aware of new reading resources.

Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions about running a UU church booktable. We hope this information will be a handy reference for both novices and experienced church bookstore managers.

divider

How do I order from the inSpirit: The UU Book and Shop?

By phone: 1-800-215-9076
Online: If you are ordering for the first time, please contact us to set up a new account or log in. If you have already activated your online account and would like to log in or update your account information, please click on “Your Account” on the upper right hand side of your screen.
By mail: inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop, 24 Farnsworth St., Boston, MA 02210
By email: bookstore@uua.org

divider

How do I choose which books to buy?

For help selecting books that will be of interest to your customers, contact us at 800-215-9076 or bookstore@uua.org and we will send you our Booktable Leader's Guide. As time goes by, you'll get to know which books your customers will want. divider

What discounts are available?

Church booktables receive a special resale discount on quantity orders of Beacon Press and Skinner House books. For more information, call 800-215-9076 or email bookstore@uua.org for our Booktable Leader's Guide.

divider

How can I be sure that I get the discount my bookstore is entitled to?

It is extremely important that you let us know that you're ordering for a church bookstore. If you tell us that you are ordering for a church rather than a church bookstore, we won't know to give you the discounts. Remember the church bookstore account is separate from your church account. Please give us your account number when you place your order.

divider

I’m placing a big order, so is it okay if I order additional items such as pamphlets and curricula for other people in my church?

No. Your church bookstore account can only be used for books that are going to be sold at your bookstore.

divider

What are the terms for payment?

You may pre-pay with a check or credit card (we take Visa, MasterCard, AMEX and Discover). Or we can bill your church bookstore account. Payment for billed orders is due 30 days from the order date. Please send your check and a copy of the invoice to:

inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop
24 Farnsworth Street
Boston, MA 02210

divider

May I return unsold books?

Unsold books may be returned at any time for credit on your account if the book is in good condition and still being sold by the inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop. No credit will be given for books received in damaged, unsellable condition, for books that are out of print, or that we no longer carry. Please check our website if you are not sure we are still carrying a particular title.


Please send returns with a packing list or copies of your original invoices to:


inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop

c/o PSSC

46 Development Road

Fitchburg, MA 01420


*Please note: if we receive returns at 24 Farnsworth St., we will need to deduct the cost of reshipping to our warehouse from your credit/refund.


We recommend that you insure your return and ship via UPS or USPS Priority Mail (not FedEx Ground or USPS Media Mail). Please package your return carefully, with sufficient packing materials. Also, please use good quality boxes and strong packing tape. Each box should not weight more than 35 pounds. Please note that we cannot give you credit for a return that is lost in the mail or received damaged. 

Any rejected returns will be sent back to the customer via UPS or Priority Mail and the shipping cost deducted from your credit memo or refund.


There is no restocking fee for returns. We do not refund your original shipping charge or reimburse your cost to send returns unless the return was a result of our error. Please call 800-215-9076 or email bookstore@uua.org if you have questions.

divider

How much time should I allow for shipping?

Books are shipped via UPS Ground service unless otherwise requested. Shipping takes approximately 5 to 12 business days. Please allow an extra 2 weeks for an order placed by mail. Rush services are available for additional costs.

divider

How much does shipping cost?

Shipping charges are based on the total value of your order. To view the shipping fees online, click here or call 800-215-9076.

divider

What is a backorder?

If you want to order a book that is temporarily out of stock or not yet available, we can take your order and ship it out to you as soon as the books arrive in our warehouse. This kind of order is called a backorder. 

divider

Where do I turn if this page doesn’t answer all of my questions?

Please feel free to contact us at 1-800-215-9076 or bookstore@uua.org and we will be happy to answer any questions you still have.