Online Textbook Shopping Not Always a Bargain

NACS notes safety of shopping at local college store

OBERLIN, Ohio, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With more than 17.5 million students headed to campus this fall, a recent announcement by federal law enforcement officials of an indictment related to an online textbook selling scam stands as a timely reminder of the risks students face when purchasing important items from an unknown source.

In the fraud case, a Federal Grand Jury inHammond, IN, returned an indictment against an individual for creating 568 fake seller accounts and taking 100,000 orders by students on a major online site. The actions allegedly resulted in defrauding buyers of $5.3 million.

"This case reinforces our contention that a student's local college store is the safest place to purchase the educational tools they need to succeed," said Ed Schlichenmayer, Deputy CEO of the National Association of College Stores. "The college store is mandated to have the educational materials required for a school's courses. Meanwhile, students face real risks in purchasing course materials from unknown, unidentifiable sellers - particularly online. They face bait-and-switch tactics, hidden fees, and fraud. Bottom line: If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is!"

He added: "Recent studies indicate that textbook prices in the college bookstore are comparable, and in some instances even less, than online sources. In addition, students are guaranteed that the books they find in the college store are the correct version of the one required, and that they're buying from a verified seller with a fair and clearly communicated return/refund policy. There's also no lengthy wait for the books to be shipped, and at term's end, it's easier to sell them back for cash."

Besides safety and reliability, other benefits to patronizing the college bookstore include:

-- Convenience - The college store is a one-stop-shop on or close to campus.

-- Sense of community - A portion of what little profit a college store makes is returned to students in the form of scholarships, student employment, and contributions to campus activities.

About NACS

Headquartered inOberlin, Ohio, the National Association of College Stores (NACS) is the trade association of the collegiate retailing industry. NACS' 3,100 member stores serve America's college students while supporting the academic missions of higher education institutions everywhere. Additional information can be found online at http://www.nacs.org.

SOURCE National Association of College Stores

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