And now, a college bookstore on the Web. Why didn’t
somebody think of this
sooner?
Newly launched VarsityBooks.com,
based in Washington,
DC, said it offers approximately 250,000 titles available for immediate
shipment–at a 15 % to 40% discount off typical college bookstore prices.
The operation describes itself as “user-friendly, easy-to-navigate. . . and
the textbook counterpart of Amazon.com.”
As the site’s slogan says, students can “get online, not in line.” All
books are brand-new–clean and unmarked. Even auxiliary books (fiction,
reference, etc.) that are recommended by course instructors are usually
available, the company said.
At present, students who attend any of five universities in the Washington, DC
area–The University of Maryland, University of Virginia, Georgetown
University, The George Washington University, or George Mason
University–will find most courses currently offered in each subject, the
instructors’
names, and the titles of the required and optional textbooks and study
guides, the firm explained.
Students from other universities will also find the site useful by
searching for textbooks organized by subject areas, as well searching for
specific titles within the site’s entire database. VarsityBooks.com said it
plans to
continue adding universities each semester so that, eventually, any student
at any U.S. university or college will be able to find a customized listing
of the exact textbooks they need for each course they are taking.
VarsityBooks.com said it ships within 24 hours for a flat charge of $4.95.
Online ordering is secure, and is followed by a confirmation e-mail and
another e-mail with the estimated arrival date–usually within two to three
days, the company said. The return policy guarantees a full refund up to
two weeks after the book is received.
