Campus Text to expand to other colleges

If Doug Levy has his way, his Campus Text operation will be dissolving bookstore monopolies at colleges and universities across the country within the next year. Campus Text offers students discounted books for hundreds of Penn classes, operating out of two trucks located on 38th Street behind The Book Store. When Levy is not catering to thrifty University students through his two-year-old business, the College and Wharton graduate works for Internet University -- an organization that develops Internet sites for colleges. Levy is currently researching colleges and universities in the Philadelphia area and around the country to narrow down prospective sites for Campus Text's future expansion. "Within one year I should know where Campus Text is expanding to," Levy said. "I feel like we have done a service for Penn and I am excited to do the same thing for other schools in the United States." In December Levy began an undergraduate training program for the operation. He said he hopes this program will encourage University students to stay involved with Campus Text. Levy said he is also looking forward to using Penn students to start business on other campuses. "One of the things that helps Campus Text the most is the support and hard work of students," he explained. "Good student workers propel our business forward." The new program is designed to train workers in international marketing, human resources, finance, marketing and customer service. According to Levy, Campus Text is the only alternative bookstore to survive for more than one year. In a similar venture during the 1970s, Sunshine Books attempted to operate at the University at 40th and Locust streets, where Buck's County Coffee is currently located. But the business was forced to close after a short time period because of high overhead costs, Levy explained. Campus Text does not have a similar problem, because it sells textbooks out of a trailer. The business opened for spring semester sales last Sunday, and will remain on the street for the next two weeks. Campus Text has also blanketed campus with balloons and advertising fliers. According to Levy, all texts are reduced 10 percent from The Book Store price. He added that an average student saves $6-7 on each book purchased. "A student can usually walk away from Campus Text with 21 extra dollars in their pocket," Levy said. Levy added that the business provides a longer return period for books, allowing returns for up to 10 days after its trailers close. "Penn students have shown confidence in Campus Text because we have given them great prices on books and reliable service throughout our existence," Levy explained. Levy said he started the business during his junior year at the University, when he became disturbed by The Book Store. "I came to the point where I said to myself, 'God this is ridiculous!' ," he explained. "The Book Store penalizes students for buying books early. It's unfair." But The Book Store maintains that it is still the premiere place to buy texts. "There is one large advantage that I know of," Book Store employee Abraham Hagas said. "The Book Store will always be on campus, unlike Campus Text. It is easy to return books with a receipt or with a note from the class instructor." Levy's business handles all text orders for the Wharton Executive MBA program. "They love us," he said. "My business saves the program about $10,000 a year." Levy added that between the first and second semester book sales increased 500 percent for Campus Text, and each subsequent semester the business has grown an additional 40 percent. "I am really pleased with the direction Campus Text is headed in," Levy said.