Frequently Asked Questions

Please select which Books by the Foot collections you're interested in purchasing, submit the form at the bottom of the collections pages, and our Books by the Foot team will contact you shortly with more information. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, or you’re interested in a bulk order, feel free to directly contact us by emailing bbtf@strandbooks.com. We can curate collections in most styles and subjects, so when in doubt, ask! Books by the Foot is not a discount program nor is there a fee for our services. We simply assemble a personalized collection for you within your chosen price range. We help you get the content and aesthetic you want while keeping you within budget.

Yes! Most collections of can be customized by color. Please contact the Books by the Foot team (bbtf@strandbooks.com) to discuss availability and receive a customized quote.

There is no set number of books in a foot, as the quantity can vary depending on spine thickness. However, generally there is an average of 10 books per foot.

No, there is no minimum or maximum on the number of feet you may order. However, certain categories may be limited by availability. Orders must be placed in whole feet.

We can put together most custom collections within 24 hours. Orders of 75 feet or more may require a longer lead time. If you are on a specific timeline, please let us know when you order, and we will do our best to accommodate it.

Yes! If you prefer to review your books via photos and a title list, you can contact us by emailing bbtf@strandbooks.com. Markdown collections are sold as-is and are not available for review.

Nope! All our books are taken from the Strand’s in-store inventory. Our collections are made up of used and new books that provide both high quality shelf presence and something great to read.

The books pictured with each collection are a sample of the offerings from that category. Each new order is individually curated by our Books by the Foot experts. You can expect books of similar subject and/or look as those pictured, but each order is unique.

We’d love for you to stop by and talk to our Books by the Foot team about putting together a collection! However, each collection is curated once it’s been ordered, so we do not have pre-made Books by the Foot collections available for purchase in store.

Appointments are not necessary, but they are recommended if you would like to guarantee our availability to discuss your project.

One of the great things about Books by the Foot is we provide a custom curated collection based on your interests. You tell us what you like, and we put together a collection you’ll love! You can choose the subjects and styles of the book in your collection, and if you have specific authors or titles that you’d like included, we’re happy to add them to your order if we have them in stock. However, if you want to personally choose all the books in your collection, that order would be processed as a standard sale, and you would pay per book at the store price. If you want to hand select a large number of books in store, we can assist you with selecting and boxing up the books.

All of our books are taken from our in-store stock, which is already significantly discounted, so we are unable to offer any further discounts.

Our standard domestic shipments ship via UPS so that they are trackable and insured. We offer Domestic Standard Shipping and Domestic Express Shipping, including both Next Day Air and Second Day Air as well as International Shipping. We can ship via US Postal Service if requested or if shipping to a P.O. Box. UPS and other expedited shipping methods are not available to P.O. Boxes. Truck delivery is available for $100 in Manhattan and to the outer boroughs for $200. Deliveries are available Monday through Friday but have limited availability. You are also welcome to arrange pick up for your order.

The Strand accepts all major credit cards, checks, and cash. We do not accept purchase orders as payment. Credit card authorization forms are processed via a secure online process. Please do not email your credit card information. If you have any questions about payment, email bbtf@strandbooks.com.

Books with dust jackets can be returned within two weeks of receipt. A large amount of returned books may be subject to a 10% restock fee. When shipping returns, please clearly mark the packages for Books by the Foot. Markdown books and books without jackets (including books by color) are final sale.

Books with dust jackets can be returned within two weeks of receipt. A large amount of returned books may be subject to a 10% restock fee. When shipping returns, please clearly mark the packages for Books by the Foot. Markdown books and books without jackets (including books by color) are final sale.

You can reach our Books by the Foot team via email at bbtf@strandbooks.com. Our offices are open Monday through Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm.

Orders can be placed via email at bbtf@strandbooks.com.

There is no limit to how many feet a rental can be. However, larger rentals require a longer turnaround time, and orders for more than 60 feet of trade size books or more than 30 feet of oversize books will be charged a per foot larger order fee.

Depending on rental size, we can put your rental together in as little as a few hours. Most rentals can be available for pickup within 24-48 hours. Rentals larger than 15 feet needed in less than 24 hours will be charged a per foot rush fee.

Yes - this is our specialty! We can pull books for any kind of character, from virtually any time period. Please get in touch to discuss all possible options.

Yes, we have a very large vintage inventory and can create a collection from almost any time period. Please note there is an additional fee if books must be restricted to specific publication years.

Yes! Most collections of can be customized by color or style. We're happy to discuss available options for your rental. There are additional fees for customization by spine color, spine text color, height/depth restrictions, and dust jacket removal.

Our rentals are for one week. You may extend your rental if you need more time; the extension charge is 10% of your total rental cost for each additional week.

Yes. The cost for renting books you've selected yourself is the full price of the books up front and half back upon return. For these rentals you can check out at any register; just ask to speak to a manager. You will need to return the books to a manager in person to receive your half back refund. Clearance and final sale items are not eligible for full price, half back rentals. Paperback rentals must be approved and processed by the Books by the Foot department. To rent clearance, final sale or paperback books, please contact us at bbtf@strandbooks.com.

For rentals, we accept all major credit cards. You can also pay for rentals by check or wire, but rentals will not be pulled until payment has been received. Credit card authorization forms are processed via a secure online process. Please do not email your credit card information. Clients interested in setting up a billing account must provide credit/trade references and be approved by Books by the Foot. All terms net 30.

Rentals can be picked up at our Broadway location. At this time, we do not deliver.

Rental orders may be cancelled until the books have been pulled for that order. Unfortunately, we are unable to cancel an order or refund you after your order has been filled.

You will be responsible for the full cost of the lost or damaged book. In the case of a multi-volume set, the entire cost of the set will be due if any volume is lost or damaged.

Due to the large demand for book rentals, we do not currently offer discounts for our rental services.

Please contact bbtf@strandbooks.com.

Rentals for promotional exchange must be approved. Please contact our Director of Marketing and Communications at marketing@strandbooks.com.