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Cops shut down book buyback service, please show your support
This article, written by Stacy Litz on the Examiner, tells the tale of thugs
with badges being used to smash competition. Competition that when
left to operate freely is the only market regulator needed. Hopefully
next time Stacy will have a camera with here. Then we can all see how
redic this officers claims are.
Here is her story below:
Philadelphians,
I currently work part time for a book buy back service called Belltower Books.
Yesterday, we set up a small table at the exclusive 33rd and Arch Street
location on Drexel University’s campus, along with two other big name
book buyback services.
Belltower Books, unlike these companies, buys back all
books, including old editions, paperbacks, and more. The competition
could not handle it and a manager from Penn Text came over to show his displeasure in our
service, ranting about how he “does this for a living” and we are taking
all the customers away from him. Shortly after, the Drexel Police were
called on us and we were told we needed a permit to sell on Drexel
property.
So we moved to public property. A location far up from the pristine
33rd and Arch and less targeted by students. Losing business, we
continued to buy back books until later, after being spotted by the
competition again, the cops came and told us to leave once more, because
we were partially on Drexel property.
Today arrived and I decided to try one more time and I set up the
table on a sidewalk off Drexel’s campus, not blocking pedestrians and
completely on public property. A cop showed up, told me that I needed a
permit and that I had to leave. I asked him if he could show me this
permit or if he even checked the other services for permits. He just
looked at me blankly as if it was a ridiculous question to ask for some
proof.
These permit laws are meant to protect the customer — not the
competing business. I would say that Belltower Books is
only helping the consumer and there are no moral problems, health
hazards or issues related to that which should be regulated by law.
Greedy businesses who want to drive competition away are not the reason
to create these permit laws. After searching the Philadelphia government’s website, it seemed like
these permits mainly applied to food services — not that I could even
decipher what these permits mean and how to acquire one — or even if I
need one in the first place. Would the cops shut down a lemonade stand from operating on a public street?
Well, yes, but not typically.
So, what can you do to help us out, considering we were driven out of
business? Well, we want your books! If you have any used text or
non-text books that you’re looking to get rid of, please be in contact
with us! We will take them all off your hands!
- Make an appointment on our website (enter zip code 19104) at http://belltowerbooks.com/
- Call us at 267-750-8407
- Email me at litz@drexel.edu to make an appointment with one of our
buyers!
Please show your support! We are no match for the police or the
competition at this point, but we still need your help!
Adam Mueller is a former member
of the Motorhome Diaries.com and founder of Cop Block.org. He's an
advocate for a voluntary society, one where people are free to live
their lives so long as they don't initiate force on others.
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