Emma Tocci/Collegian
Tyler Winn, founder of the Hillsdale Book Exchange, has seen business quadruple in its second semester.
After two semesters of operation, the Hillsdale Book Exchange has turned a phenomenal response, according to junior Tyler Winn, who started the exchange service.
Winn said the exchange service has been especially successful this semester.
“I have seen a sales increase of more than quadruple of what I had last semester,” Winn said.
He said that he was helped this semester by better advertising, which came in the form of numerous posters seen around campus, as well as the mass email that went out to each student at the end of last semester. Winn also said he believed that he was helped by his new location right outside the Curtiss Memorial Dining Hall.
And, of course, poor college students in need of cheaper prices drove the exchange's success.
“[The bookstore] prices are too high. They know they have a captive audience and they feel the need to jack-up prices,” freshman Jeremy Vryhof said.
However, the exchange's success has not had a huge effect on the Hillsdale College Bookstore.
Angie Berry, assistant manager at the bookstore, said that she can't say that the Hillsdale Book exchange has had any major affect on sales.
“There is always competition out there,” she said. “We're just here to help the students.”
Some Hillsdale students thought the book exchange was a very useful service.
“It felt easier,” said freshman Margaret Jago, who sold a book on the exchange.
“I was fairly confident that the book would sell and that it would be a simple exchange.”
Winn said that he made a few minor changes to the Web site for this semester and that he “tried to make it as simple as possible,” but that there were no major changes aside from the “much wider selection of books.”
However, he said he plans on completely re-working the site for next semester, making some major changes to make it more easy to use.
He said he also plans on making it possible for students to use credit cards through PayPal.
“The check or cash system has worked well, but this would be more convenient for many students,” Winn said.
“I also plan on giving the site a major facelift, perhaps a full redesign. I will make the profiles easier to navigate, and will create a stronger search engine.”
Also, if business continues to increase, he said he will be looking for more people to help.
“I'm always looking for ways to streamline business,” he said.
After next year, Winn said that he would like to find someone to take over the business for him when he graduates.
“It's a good feeling to know that people are saving money,” he said.
“I don't want it to go away.”
Some students think that the Hillsdale Book Exchange has been a great asset to the Hillsdale community and that the presence of the book exchange will encourage more competition from other sources, mainly the bookstore.
“Before the Hillsdale Book Exchange, where was the competition?” Vryhof asked.
“If the Hillsdale Book Exchange continues to be as successful as it is, it is going to force the bookstore to change how they do things.”