Mobile app shows business deals

Campus Special, the nation's largest provider of coupons to college students, has now gone mobile. 

The company is now offering an application to UConn students with iPhone and Android phones that provides them with a digital coupon book that locates them on campus, and constantly updates  in real-time, with deals from nearby vendors as well as offering other useful features including listings business hours, delivery information and special online-only bargains. 

"My friends are super excited about this app, because in the past we've often times forgotten our coupon books at home – now if we do, we'll have the entire book plus our campus Food Court, right on our phone," said Karly Stephens, a 5th-semester consumer behaviors major who interned for CampusSpecial.com.

The app allows students to order food from their online food court in only two steps and submit orders to be ready for pick up at a certain time, when after class or when they will be walking back to their room from the gym. Students can have their orders delivered to their dorms or apartments. 

"I believe the app has already benefited the student body at many different universities. Our company started with coupon books at 40 universities and we have since expanded to over 100 college communities." said Stephanie Scott, online sales manager for Campus Special.com. "We launched the new mobile app to combine both of our services of our coupon books and online ordering, into one service, in a form that students will always have on them- in their phone." 

Scott added that one of the most popular features is the mapping tool, which, using GPS, pinpoints a user's location on campus. 

"Whether a student is in the middle of campus, or in the far corner in their apartment, they can see what deals are closest to them. Whether they are looking for restaurants, tanning salons or retail stores, this feature can help users as soon as they are ready to shop," Scott said. 

Campus Special also features a customer service team to ensure orders are completed at the customer's desired time to keep the service convenient and efficient. 

Participating vendors include businesses from student's favorite takeout restaurants and tanning salons, to auto body shops and electronic stores. 

"I think this app will definitely be a great way to save time and money while I'm at school," said Sarah Banker, a 3rd-semester molecular and cell biology major.