Varney’s Book Store is issuing Rewards Cards starting this August to give its customers discounts on area businesses.
    For every dollar spent with the Rewards Card at Varney’s, the K-State Student Union Book Store, Varney’s K-State Place in the Manhattan Town Center, or Varney’s Wireless, one point is added to the card. The points are tallied online at www.varneysrewards.com, where customers can exchange them for the discounts of their choice.
    Jeff Levin, co-owner of Varney’s, said Indiana University started using a rewards card three years ago and received a great response from its customers. Levin said Varney’s made 40,000 cards for this fall and already has issued about 3,000.
    “It’s free, and it’s easy,” he said. “The uptake has been phenomenal.”
    Jenny Brazzle, Union bookstore employee, said anyone can get a rewards card, including alumni and faculty. The bookstore employees offer memberships to customers before their purchases, so they may use their cards right away.
    “There’s no reason not to do it,” Levin said. “This way, you’re going to get something for shopping.”
    But shopping at businesses owned by Varney’s isn’t the only way to gain points. Levin said members can earn points by attending K-State sporting events, like baseball, basketball and volleyball games. Students also can gain points when they sell their textbooks back to Varney’s.
    Varney’s is using a rewards accelerator program, which also allows cardholders to get credit by shopping at partner businesses.
    “We have all these ways that you’ll be able to tie stuff together,” Levin said.
    Rewards card partners include Bluestem Bistro, Kansas State Bank, Kite’s Bar and Grill, K-State Student Union, Mr. Goodcents, Premier Car Wash, Radina’s Coffeehouse and Roastery, Shear Dynamics and others. Coupons for Dell are also available when members shop at Varney’s.
    Levin said Varney’s would not sell or give out cardholders’ personal information to other businesses.
    Varney’s also is considering partnering with a local gas station to offer Rewards cardmembers discounts on gas.
    Levin said Varney’s will give away a Dell computer, textbooks and gift certificates to card holders.
    “We’re taking some of our ad dollars and turning them into rewards,” Levin said.
    Emily Vesper, sophomore in business marketing, said she just received a Rewards card with her first purchase at Varney’s.
    “I think it’s awesome,” she said. “I buy a lot here anyway, so that helps.”
    Lauren Page, sophomore in pre-nursing, said though the Rewards card offered her an incentive to shop at Varney’s, she still would have bought her books online if she had more time before school.
    The Rewards card is holographic, showing Willie the Wildcat doing the “K-S-U” cheer. Levin said he thinks this is a feature that everyone connected to K-State will recognize and enjoy.

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