SBX, CMU Bookstore compete for customers

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One of the most pertinent purchases that students will make at college is their
textbooks.

At CMU, students have two options as to where to buy books: the CMU Bookstore,
located in the Bovee University Center, and the Student Book Exchange, 209
E. Bellows Street.

A lot of universities have more than one choice when it comes to buying books
for the sake of competition, said SBX General Manager John Belco.

“If there wasn’t another store, the first store could get lazy or
not stock new books,” he said. There have been two stores for students
since 1964, when the SBX opened.

Belco and Blake Anthes, CMU Bookstore assistant manager, believe freshmen
tend to favor SBX’s competition. The CMU Bookstore is located on the first
floor of the UC, across the street from the Charles V. Park Library on Preston
Street.

“We are owned and operated by CMU. All revenues go directly back to the
university,” Anthes said.

The SBX is just off campus, across from Smith Hall. The store not only has
books, but CMU apparel, custom screen printing for T-shirts and a post office
for express mail.

“We are a very customer-oriented store,” Belco said.

The CMU Bookstore offers students more than just books, too.

“We have all school supplies, the best selection of CMU apparel in town,
and study aides,” Anthes said.

The store also provides EasyText, an online service where students can reserve
their books for the upcoming semester and get the bill via e-mail. Students
can utilize the service at the store’s Web site, www.cmubookstore.com,
beginning June 2.

The SBX also provides a service that allows students to reserve books online
through its Web site, www.sbx-mp.com.