Four Textbook Buying Myths Debunked!

Facts students should know before buying college textbooks

OBERLIN, Ohio, Aug. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As students head back to class after summer break, they are bombarded with an overwhelming amount of alternative options and inaccurate information about the best ways to buy or rent textbooks. To make the return to class easier on students and their wallets, the National Association of College Stores (NACS) is busting four common misperceptions about purchasing textbooks:

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MYTH #1: Buying textbooks from an online retailer is always more convenient. BUSTED!
By purchasing directly from college stores, students avoid shipping costs, receive the correct edition of their books with correct access codes on time, make only one stop, and can easily make returns and tap their financial aid. Most college stores also offer several alternatives to buying new textbooks including used, rental, and e-books.

MYTH #2: Buying textbooks online is always safe. BUSTED!
Students can avoid the peril of online fraud by purchasing textbooks from their college store's web site or directly from the physical store. According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center's (IC3) 2011 Annual Report, the Center received a total of 314,246 complaints of Internet crime, a 3.4% increase from the previous year. It also is the third year in a row with more than 300,000 complaints.

MYTH #3: Most students spend more than $1,000 each year on textbooks. BUSTED!
According to Student Watch 2012™, students estimate spending approximately $655 a year on required course materials, down from $667 two years ago. NACS has simple tips to help students spend even less.  

MYTH #4: The college store makes a huge profit on textbooks. BUSTED!
College stores make less than four cents profit on every dollar spent on a new textbook.

About NACS
Headquartered in Oberlin, Ohio, the National Association of College Stores (NACS) is the professional trade association representing the $10 billion collegiate retailing industry. NACS represents more than 3,100 collegiate retailers and approximately 1,000 associate members who supply books and other products to college stores. NACS member stores serve America's college students while supporting the academic missions of higher education institutions everywhere. Additional information on NACS can be found online at www.nacs.org.

SOURCE National Association of College Stores