College Doesn't Have to Cost a Fortune: Neebo Takes Sting out of Back-to-School Costs

LINCOLN, Neb., Aug. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- 19 million college students are heading back to campus this month and thanks to Neebo, a nationwide network of college bookstores, they will have one less hassle to deal with: the high costs of new  textbooks. Neebo is taking the risk out of textbook rentals and helping students save up to 55% on their textbooks at all Neebo-powered bookstores and online at Neebo.com with their Neebo No Risk Rental Program. Neebo also announced a Facebook sweepstakes for exclusive discounts and cool prizes, and student-friendly partnerships with OfficeMax and Red Bull that offer students better selection and help them get the most out of their first week back at school.

Buying textbooks has always been a gamble for college students. Students would often buy their books with the hope that they could sell them back at the end of the semester to recoup part of their expenses. But in many cases, these textbooks would lose their value and be worth little to no money by the semester's end. Recently, renting textbooks has become a popular option with students because it requires less money up front and eliminates the hassle of selling books back. But many students found that with some providers, hidden costs and late fees could cost them even more in the end. With the Neebo No Risk Rental Program, college students are able to take the risk out of textbook rental and put money back in their pockets. The Neebo No Risk Rentals Program offers:

• No Late Fees: With Neebo you won't get burned. Even if you keep the book, you'll only pay the remaining balance.
• No Shipping Costs: With Neebo you can pick up books in store or order online and get them shipped both ways for free. Your choice.
• No Second Guessing: In store, Neebo guarantees the lowest price and will beat any lower local rental price by 10%. Online Neebo offers a 21-day "No Questions Asked" return period if you change your mind, but you won't.

"College students will buy or rent about 76 million textbooks this fall (1), and at $50-$300 per book, that's a lot of money for students," said Steve Clemente, senior vice president of Neebo. "We're here to help students and our No Risk Rental Program does that by making their lives easier and saving them money with no late fees, no shipping costs and a no second guessing."

In the spirit of helping students and saving them cash, Neebo is also hooking up students in store and online with additional prizes and discounts. Through a partnership with Red Bull, more than 700,000 students will receive a complementary 8.4 oz can with each transaction to help get the most out of their first week back at school. And now through September 23, 2011, students who visit facebook.com/Neebo, can enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win ridiculously cool prizes, from a vending machine full of Ramen noodles to a Vespa LX50. At the Facebook page, they can also spin the no-risk wheel for guaranteed discounts of 10-20% off apparel that can be used online or in store.  

But Neebo is doing more than helping students save money on textbooks—they're also working to reduce the costs of their school supplies through a partnership with OfficeMax. As a result, students will no longer have to travel far for affordable school supplies because OfficeMax is helping stock Neebo's campus stores with better assortments of classroom essentials at lower prices.

"The relationships we have established with OfficeMax and Red Bull ensure that Neebo continues to deliver on its promise of offering students more college for their money," said Clemente. "They provide real value to our students and make the hectic and demanding pace of student life a little easier."

For more information, visit www.Neebo.com.

About Neebo
Neebo is a nationwide network of college bookstores providing students, faculty and alumni the most complete selection of new, used, and rental textbooks, as well as college-branded gear and accessories. But more than that, Neebo is the complete college outfitter, dedicated to empowering your best college experience. Neebo unifies all Nebraska Book Company bookstores under one network and one name to help students enjoy more college for their money. Founded nearly 100 years ago with a bookstore near the University of Nebraska Lincoln campus, Neebo pioneered used textbook distribution and expanded to campuses nationwide. The Neebo network now includes more than 280 stores and serves millions of students.

(1) Based on an estimation of each student buying four textbooks

SOURCE Neebo