Penn Text discounts save students thousands on books

The numbers are in. Over 960 students saved thousands of dollars on their books this semester by buying from Penn Text, the upstart student-run bookstore operating from a truck, instead of purchasing books from the University's Book Store. Doug Levy, the business' owner, has been selling text books for 45 classes out of a Ryder van on 38th street for the past five days. The College and Wharton junior said sales during the venture's short history were phenomenal. "We've sold 1,245 books to 968 students," Levy said. "But more importantly we've saved those students over $7,193." Levy said although they did come into some conflict with the University over whether they could use the word "Penn" in their name, their success was not stifled. A representative from the University's General Counsel approached him earlier in the week and threatened to shut Levy down for illegally using the the word "Penn," Levy said. General Counsel Robert Terrell said the University has a legal trademark on the word, as well as on items such as the red and blue split P and the name University of Pennsylvania. Levy said, in his defense, that because stores, such as the Pennsylvania Book Center and Penn Optometrics, have not been forced to change their names by the University, he did not think he should be singled out. Since then, Penn Optometrics changed the sign in front of the store to "Pennsylvania Optometrics." Although Penn Text closed up shop Friday, Levy said his decision had nothing to do with his ongoing squabble with the University. "This is our first year of operation and we closed because we had only planned on selling for a week," he said. "The University did not shut me down – we ran out of books." Levy said he is still working with the General Counsel's office to reach a settlement on the name issue. And although he hopes not to have to change it, he said he might have to. "I do plan on being back in the fall and I am looking to expand and include more of the humanities books and reach a wider range of students," he added. Levy said other than saving money, he feels this experience has shown the University that students will not be abused by what he calls "the monopoly of The Book Store." "This has been a chance to show the University what they have taught us about free enterprise," he said. He added that he was frustrated the University was not allowing free competition to take place. Levy said The Book Store's drop in revenue does not matter, as long as students are gaining something. Associate Director of Operations for The Book Store William Petrick could not be reached for comment.