Help / FAQs

Progressive Book Club (www.progressivebookclub.com) is an online marketplace for books, selected by the country's leading writers, thinkers, activists, and PBC members. It is also a social networking community where ideas are shared and debated and where readers are connected with authors and policy makers. The company offers members the opportunity to buy books at discounted prices and give back to their favorite causes. Launched in 2008, Progressive Book Club's mission is to find the books and showcase the ideas that can change our nation for the better.

What is the Editorial Board?

The Progressive Book Club Editorial Board, assisted by PBC's editorial staff, will be responsible for choosing featured selections and providing guidance on all other titles. The Board will comprise of approximately 35 prominent members drawn from America's best-known progressive writers, intellectuals, and activist leaders.

What type of books will I find in Progressive Book Club?

You'll find the best new books, and the must-read classics, on all the issues that matter to progressivesthe environment, foreign policy, economic fairness, wealth and poverty, law and civil liberties, and more. While we offer many current affairs titles, our list also includes novels, poetry, and memoirs, as well as history, biography andbecause you gotta lighten up sometimeshumor, each handpicked for substance and style by our Editorial Board. Our books will introduce the sharpest new progressive ideas and showcase the most compelling voices, from the well known to the up-and-coming. In short, we'll bring you the best authors, the freshest thinking, and the most exciting intellectual currents in American politics and culture today.

JOINING THE CLUB

How do I become a member of PBC?

Joining PBC is quick and easy. Click on Join PBC to begin the sign-up process.

To Sign Up:

1. Select Books

To join PBC, first select your introductory offer books by adding them to the shopping cart. After you've made your selections, click the "Checkout" button.

2. Confirm Book Selections

You can remove books from your cart by clicking on the "Delete" icon and return to browsing books by clicking on the "Change Selections" button. Once you have confirmed your book selection in the shopping cart, click the "Continue" button.

3. Register Billing and Shipping Information

You will need to create a username, password, and provide an email address.

Next, enter your billing address and shipping information, (if your shipping address is the same just check the "Same as Billing" box).

Enter your payment information you need a valid credit card/Visa, Master Charge, American Express or Discover to join PBC.

4. Select a Beneficiary Organization

With each member-priced book (of $10.00 or more) you buy, PBC will donate $2 to a progressive organization that you designate. From the drop down menu, select a Progressive Book Club beneficiary organization that will benefit from your book purchases. You may also choose not to select a beneficiary organization.

After you have completed these sections you will be asked to accept the terms of the Membership Agreement and the Site Agreement. Click the "Submit Order" button to apply for membership. Upon approval, you'll receive a confirmation email welcoming you to Progressive Book Club. Now you can create a member profile.

What is a Member Profile?

Joining Progressive Book Club automatically registers you as a PBC Community Member and a member profile is a key part of participating in the PBC community. As part of your profile, you can create a bookshelf spotlighting books you've read or would like to read, provide a zip code for offline meet-ups and notification of book and author events, as well as highlight your progressive interests or causes. Most importantly, you can designate whether your profile is public or private.

Creating a member profile is optional. If you choose not to create a profile at the time of joining, you can simply click on My PBC at anytime after you have logged in and click My Profile to create one.

Participate in the PBC Community

Tag, rate and review books
Create a discussion
Join a discussion
Create a group
Join a group
Meet up with someone in your neighborhood to discuss a book

and much more

What is the Progressive Book Club Risk Free Satisfaction Guarantee?

Joining Progressive Book Club is risk free. You may return the complete introductory book shipment within 14 days of receipt and receive a complete refund including shipping and handling and taxes where applicable, and your membership will be cancelled. To ensure that we process your refund as quickly as possible, please make sure to include a copy of the shipment confirmation or correspondence containing your name, billing address, shipping address, PBC account number and order number with your return. Please write "Cancel Membership" on the enclosed correspondence.

Mail the complete introductory package you are returning to:

Progressive Book Club
P.O. Box 5000

Emmaus, PA 18098

Who can join?

You must be 18 years of age or older and a resident of the United States. PBC can ship to deliverable addresses in the United States. At this time, Progressive Book Club cannot ship to APOs or FPOs.

Can I join by phone instead of online?

At this time we are only accepting membership applications via the Progressive Book Club website. We are not accepting membership applications over the phone. Click here to join today; the process is safe and secure.

How long does it take to receive my introductory book shipment?

Please allow 10 to 14 business days for delivery of your introductory book shipment. You will receive an order confirmation email shortly after placing your introductory order. Once the order has shipped, you will receive a shipment confirmation email. You can check the status of your order by clicking on My PBC on the navigation bar and then clicking on My Order History.

What credit cards can I use to join PBC and or make a purchase?

We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover.

Can I pay by check or is a "bill me later" payment option available?

All purchases must be made using a valid credit card only.

What should I do if I am experiencing difficulties joining Progressive Book Club or placing an order?

We recommend that when accessing the site you use one of the following internet browsers:� Internet Explorer 7, Mozilla Firefox Version 2 and above or Safaris Version 2 or above.
If you continue to experience problems, please contact Customer Service via the contact us form (link).� In the Subject Field, please select the Technical Support option.�
In order for us to better support you, can you kindly provide the following information in your email:
1. What browser were you using?
2. What task were you trying to perform that led you to the error - login, add to cart, checkout, etc.
3. What task did you perform before you got the error?
4.�Have you tried restarting your browser to clear your cache?

LOGGING IN

How do I log in?

From the Home Page, click on the Login button. On the login page, type your username and password into the boxes. Hit "Login" to enter the secure site.

What if I forgot my username or password?

If you forget your username or password, go to the Home Page and click on the Login button. On the login page click the "Forgot Password" link.

* Click on "forgot password" link.

* Enter your username and/or email address.

* Answer the secret question you chose when you joined.

* You will shortly be sent an email with your username and a new password.

* In the email, you will be directed to login using a temporary password. You can then go to the My Profile page in the My PBC section to create a new password.

How do I log out?

We recommend that when you have finished shopping or participating in the community you log out of the site. Log out by going to the Home Page and clicking on Log Out.

MY ACCOUNT

How do I review/edit my account information?

Click on My PBC on the top navigation bar. Then click on My Account to review or edit your account information, including shipping address, billing address, and credit card information. Once you have made the necessary updates, click on the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page.

Please note that the shipping address listed on your My Account page (identified as default shipping address) is where all PBC Pick auto-shipments will be sent.

How can I view my order status and payment history?

Click on My PBC on the top navigation bar. Then click on My Order History to review details of the order and payment history associated with your account.

Where do I update my email address or profile information?

Click on My PBC on the top navigation bar and then click on My Profile to update your email address, password, interests, and to make your member profile public or private. If you are changing your email address, please remember to whitelist (see below) Progressive Book Club so you don't miss any important Club correspondence. Once you have made the necessary updates, click on the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page.

For your security and to guarantee that important e-mails from Progressive Book Club always reach your inbox, we recommend that you "white-list" the following addresses:

White-list methods vary by internet service provider (ISP)

For AOL 8.0 & 9.0 Open the latest e-mail. Click the "Add Address" button. Verify the sender's contact information. Save it.	For AOL WebMail Open the latest e-mail. Click on the sender's name or email address. Click "add to address book" in the window that appears. Enter any additional information. Click "Save".
For HOTMAIL: Open the latest e-mail. Click "Save Address" in the toolbar. Verify the sender's contact details. Click "OK"	For YAHOO: Open the latest e-mail. Click "Add to Address Book" link to the right of the sender's name. Verify the sender's contact details. Click "Add to Address Book".
For GMAIL: Open the latest e-mail. Click "More Options" in the email header. Click "Add Sender to Contact List".	For EARTHLINK: Open the latest e-mail. Click "Add to Address Book" in the email header. Use the "Address Book Editor" to verify the sender's contact details. Click "SAVE".
For OUTLOOK (2003+): Open the latest e-mail. Right-click the sender's email address. Click "Add to Contacts" in the short-cut menu. Click "SAVE and CLOSE".	For OUTLOOK EXPRESS (6+): Open the latest e-mail. Left-click the sender icon or right-click the sender's name. Click "Add to Contacts". Click "Save and Close".

How do I update my credit card information?

Click on My PBC on the top navigation bar and then select My Account to update the credit card you have on file. Once you have made the necessary updates, click on the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page.

How can I review/update my billing/shipping address?

Click on My PBC on the navigation bar and then select My Account to update your billing/shipping address. Once you have made the necessary updates, click on the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page.

ORDERING

How do I place an order?

Orders can be placed via the Club website ONLY. Place your orders by adding the book(s) you want in your shopping cart and following the checkout process.

What type of discounts can I expect from Progressive Book Club?

As a member, you can purchase the latest progressive books at competitive savings (most titles will be 10-30% off list prices), and with sales and specials throughout the year, you may save as much as 70-80% off list prices on select titles.

How long will it take to process an order?

We make every effort to process your order quickly subject to availability and credit card authorization. Books are shipped via USPS and should arrive within 10-14 business days.

Do I have to pay sales tax on my purchase(s)?

If you live in New York or Pennsylvania, we are required by law to collect sales tax on all purchases (including shipping and handling charges).

Can I change or cancel an order?

We strive to process your order as quickly as possible; therefore we are not currently able to change or cancel an order through the website once it has been submitted. However if your order has not yet been processed, you may be able to change or cancel an order by speaking with a Customer Service Representative by calling (800) 682-1825. Customer Service Representatives are available to assist you daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST. Please have your account number and, order number ready to facilitate the process.

Can you help me order a book that I don't see listed?

At this time, we are not able to assist you with special orders. Only the books you see on the site are available for sale through the Club. If you know of a great book you would like to see offered in the Club, please click here to send your suggestion to us.

Can I order a book before it is published?

Yes! Often, we can allow you to pre-order or reserve a book that is not yet published. Simply place the book in your cart, proceed to checkout, and complete the purchase transaction. The book will be shipped to you on its on-sale date. Your credit card will not be charged until the book ships.

Do I have to pay sales tax?

If you live in New York, Pennsylvania or District of Columbia, we are required by law to collect sales tax on all purchases (including shipping and handling charges).

PBC PICKS

What is a PBC Pick?

Each month, PBC's editors and the PBC Editorial Board select one book as the "PBC Pick." We consider this book to be the most significant and relevant new booka title that we feel has the most potential to spur discussion and debate on an important issue of great interest to the progressive community. A book perfectly suited for reading groupsboth online and offlinethe monthly PBC Pick stands out as essential reading for everyone intent on deepening his or her understanding of an important issue and harnessing the power of words into meaningful action.

How does the Monthly PBC Pick work?

At the beginning of each month, you will receive an email notification from PBC announcing which book has been selected as that month's PBC Pick. If you wish to receive the PBC Pick immediately, add it to your cart and purchase it. If you do not wish to receive that month's PBC Pick, you must click on the "Decline" button before the reply-by date noted in the e-mail and on our site. If you do nothing, the PBC Pick will be sent to you automatically. PBC will send a second email reminder to you approximately one week prior to the reply-by date if you have not yet responded.

What if I'm not receiving the PBC Pick email notifications?

If you are not receiving email notifications about the PBC Pick as well as other important membership information, please whitelist Progressive Book Club to ensure future email delivery from us. Click here for details about how to whitelist Progressive Book Club for your specific Internet Service Provider.

Can I order more than one copy of a PBC Pick?

Sure. If you want to order any additional copies of the monthly PBC Pick, simply place the book in your cart and change the quantity field in the shopping cart.

How can I check my PBC Pick Status?

Go to My PBC and then click on My PBC Pick History, where you will be provided with the status of your current PBC Pick as well as the history of all previous PBC Picks. The status includes the date you responded and whether you declined, accepted/ordered the PBC Pick or that the PBC Pick was auto-shipped to you.

SHIPPING OPTIONS AND FEES

How much will it cost to ship my book(s)?

Club Member shipping charges per order to a single address are as follows:

$5.95 for the first item

$1.99 for each additional item

Please note: Multi-volume sets or heavy or oversized books may be subject to an additional shipping and handling surcharge

Shipping and handling charges and taxes (where applicable) are pro-rated.

How will my order be shipped?

All orders are shipped via USPS.

Can I request expedited shipping for my order(s)?

Currently, PBC does not offer expedited shipping options. We are currently working to provide both USPS Priority Mail and Fed-Ex.

Can I ship an order to another address?

Yes, the website allows you to store up to ten ship-to addresses. To add or update ship-to addresses, click on My PBC on the navigation bar and then click on My Address Book. At checkout, you can easily indicate which ship-to address you would like to use.

If you have moved and need to change the mailing address listed on your account, click on My PBC , select My Account, and change the default shipping address. All future orders will be shipped to the default address unless an alternate address is entered during checkout when placing an order. PBC Pick auto-shipments will be shipped to your default shipping address.

Can I ship to an address outside of the United States?

All orders must have a USPS approved delivery address. PBC can ship to deliverable addresses in the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. At this time, Progressive Book Club cannot ship to APOs or FPOs.

RETURNS

What is your Return Policy for the AUTO-SHIPPED PBC Picks?

If you have not opened the PBC Pick auto-shipped package, write "Refused - Return to Sender" on it and return it to the US Post Office within 30 days of receipt. PBC will refund you for the cost of the book and the shipping and handling charges. (see details below)

How do I return an Auto-shipped PBC Pick?

To return the Auto-shipped PBC Pick, please do the following:

1) On the UNOPENED package, write "REFUSED - RETURN TO SENDER".
2) Cross out your name and address.
3) Take the package to your local Post Office. The Post Office should accept the package as is without requiring any additional postage from you. (You can point out to them that the package has a CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED endorsement on it.)
4) As soon as the PBC PICK is received at the warehouse and your return is processed, PBC will refund you for the cost of the book and the shipping and handling charges

If you have opened the PBC Pick auto-shipped package, return the book within 30 days of receipt via your local post office. The cost of returning the book to PBC will be your responsibility. Once the warehouse receives your package, we will credit you for the price of the book and the shipping and handling charges associated with shipping the book to you. To ensure that we process your refund as quickly as possible, please make sure to include a copy of the shipment confirmation or correspondence containing your name, billing address, shipping address, PBC member account number, and order number with your return.

Mail the package you are returning to:

Progressive Book Club
P.O. Bo 5000
Emmaus, PA 18098

What is your return policy for Club Member orders?

If you order a book order you do not wish to keep, you may return it to us via your local post office. The book(s) must be returned no later than 14 days from receipt. You will be credited for the cost of the book(s) only. To ensure that we process your refund as quickly as possible, please make sure to include a copy of the shipment confirmation or correspondence containing your name, billing address, shipping address, PBC member account number, and order number with your return. This policy included PBC Picks that you order.

What if I receive a damaged book or I am shipped the wrong book?

If you receive a damaged book or were shipped the wrong book, PBC will replace the damaged book or send the correct book to you at no additional charge. Please contact a Customer Service Representative so that we may correct the problem as soon as possible. Click here to contact customer service via email or you can speak to a Customer Service Representative directly by calling (800) 682-1825. Customer Service Representatives are available to assist you daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST. Please have your member account number and order number ready to facilitate the process.

What if I do not receive my order?

If you have not received a book order, click on My PBC on the top navigation bar and then select My Order History to verify order status. If it shows that your order has shipped, please contact us via email by clicking here or call Customer Service at (800) 682-1825 to speak with a Customer Service Representative. Customer Service Representatives are available to assist you daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST. Please have your member account number and order number ready.

COMMITMENT

What is my membership commitment?

Your membership commitment is the number of member-priced books you agreed to purchase from PBC when you became a member. You can find the number of books remaining to fulfill your commitment by clicking on My PBC and then selecting My Account. The Commitment Status box is located at the top of the page.

Does every book I order count toward my club commitment?

All books with a Member price of $10 or more earn a membership commitment credit and count toward fulfilling your membership commitment. The commitment credits earned will be displayed in your shopping cart.

How can I cancel my membership?

You can cancel your membership any time after fulfilling your membership purchase commitment. If you have fulfilled your membership commitment and wish to cancel, contact Customer Service at (800) 682-1825 for assistance. Customer Service Representatives are available to assist you daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST. Please have your account number handy to facilitate the process.

We value your membership and don't want to lose you. If there is something we can do to keep you as a member, please let us know.

SECURITY & PRIVACY

Is it safe to use my credit card to purchase online?

The PBC site is designed to protect your privacy, including your credit card information. Online purchases are safe and easy to make. Restricting access to your personal information is our priority. In addition to the security we provide by requiring password authentication, we also use Secure Server Software (SSL) VeriSign to maintain your privacy and the safekeeping of your personal information. SSL is the industry standard and the most effective way to conduct secure commerce transactions over the Internet. By encrypting all of your personal information, including credit card number, your personal information is protected.

What is your privacy policy?

Click here for the Club's privacy policy.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

How do I contact Customer Service?

You can contact Customer Service in three ways:

Via email:

Click here to contact Customer Service via email. Select the most appropriate subject line from the drop down box provided.

By Phone:

To contact Customer Service by phone, call (800) 682-1825, daily, between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. EST.

By Mail:

Progressive Book Club Customer Service Department
P.O. Box 636
Holmes, PA 19043

How can I contact the Editor at PBC?

Click here to contact our Editor via email.

How can I submit a book to the book club?

PBC welcomes all suggestions for books to be included in the club. To submit a book for consideration, click here and select Editor from the drop down box when prompted. Please include the title, author, and publisher of the book(s) you recommend in your correspondence.

Joining the PBC Community

Can I participate in Progressive Book Club without joining the club?

If you would like to participate in the PBC Community without applying for club membership, you can do so by registering as a PBC Community Member here.

To register for the PBC Community click on Community on the top navigation bar. Click on "Join PBC Community." on the Community Home Page. You will be asked to create a username and password and provide an email address. You can now create a profile. As part of your profile, you can create a bookshelf, spotlighting the books you've read or would like to read, provide a zip code for offline meet-ups and notification of book and author events, as well as highlight progressive interests or causes. Most importantly, you can designate whether your profile is public or private.

Participate in the PBC Community

Tag, rate and review Books
Create a discussion
Join a discussion
Create a group
Join a group
Meet up with someone in your neighborhood to discuss a book

And much more!

Remember, you can join Progressive Book Club at any time and get great deals on progressive books. Support progressive organizations with each member-price purchase (of $10 or more) you make. Click here to join PBC today!

Browse Books:

Help / FAQs

Participate in the PBC Community

White-list methods vary by internet service provider (ISP)

SHIPPING OPTIONS AND FEES

Joining the PBC Community

Participate in the PBC Community