C2O Testimonials

Being a member of Connect2One is like having additional staff to do the things that no one in our store has the time to do, such as:  researching vendors who provide quality products and exemplary programs, negotiating the best prices possible, spotting the hottest trends, and even calculating savings by vendor to present to our administration.  And, for those of us who do a lot of buying at CAMEX, we take for granted the staggering amount of time and effort that goes into the programs and incentives that C2O negotiates with vendors.

Last, but not least, C2O is also the best advocate for institutional stores with many resources available to demonstrate the value of our stores to our institutions.  We were in the position several of years ago of having to demonstrate that maintaining institutional control was in the best interest of the campus and, with our chancellor leaving, may have to again.  It’s comforting to know that Connect2One and there many resources will be available to help our store stay institutional.

Thanks Connect2One!

Terri Meinel, CSP
University Bookstore
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Thanks to Connect2One we have avoided a leasing take over! Several months ago the university administration wanted proof that our institutionally owned and operated store was better than entering into a lease agreement for our campus bookstore.  Our financials and aggressive lobbying proved very successful. The Connect2One programs, the buying group pricing we benefit from as a member of C2O, your advocacy articles and the Institutional store model PowerPoint presentation you provide on your website were keys in assisting us to avoid the leasing threat!  Thank you from a grateful bookstore manager!

Richard Ehresman
Taylor University Bookstore Manager

I am a bookstore director supervising three stores for the community colleges of Spokane. One of my stores is very small, but the other two combined do significant business. Beyond the ‘leading, guiding & directing’ duties for each store, part of my job is to order a significant portion of the school supplies, clothing and trade books that we sell.

Connect2One helps me be successful at my job. Using the programs they offer, I am able to coordinate orders to get excellent pricing. In turn, we pass the savings on to our students who appreciate our continued efforts to meet their needs with excellent pricing. The fact that I can stock what students want at a competitive price helps create good turns on my inventory and money in my district’s pocket.

I have found the annual ‘What's Hot, What’s Not’ session at CAMEX to be of great value. I have tried many of the products recommended there and have been pleased with the results. I am a cautious buyer. Connect2One has helped me to be braver and to take buying risks that proved rewarding.

I am very happy to be a member of Connect2One. It’s a good investment with great returns.

Cathy Scott
Bookstore Director
Community Colleges of Spokane