`Buy for less and sell for more' @ NDbay.com
MATT BRAMANTI
News Writer
Ask a Notre Dame student about the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore, and you'll hear a lot of words, but "cheap" likely will not be among them.
"[The prices] are ridiculous and confiscatory," said junior Megan Olive.
Two Notre Dame sophomores agree, and they're solving the problem. Chris Kelly, a business major, and Aaron Wenger, an engineering major, have created NDbay.com, a free online service that allows students to buy and sell textbooks online.
The two students began their career in software development while they were high school classmates in Harrisburg, Pa. Their company, Elite Technology Solutions, develops Web sites for local businesses.
NDbay users can employ a simple search program that matches up would-be buyers and sellers via e-mail. Payment is handled privately rather than online, making the site secure and simple to operate, Kelly said.
The Web site has rapidly gained popularity since it went live in early December, Kelly said.
"We've signed up over 10 percent of the undergraduates at Notre Dame," he said.
The site has even gained corporate sponsorship. Notre Dame Food Services finances the operation of the site, in exchange for advertising space for the Huddle's Burger King.
Kelly is also considering plans to expand his site's offerings.
"We've considered adding a football ticket exchange," Kelly said. However, NDbay.com will stay true to its motto, allowing students to "Buy for less, sell for more."
All News Stories for Thursday, January 16, 2003
