HOULTON, Maine – A Slovakian exchange student hoping to sell educational books in Houlton is surprised and sad his application for a sales license was not approved.
“I’ve been doing this for six years and every summer I go to a different location,” said Michal Plochan, from his home in Slovakia on Wednesday. “It will be kind of sad if I cannot work there because it is a nice small community from the things I found online.”
Plochan, 24, an exchange student and independent bookseller, applied for a town license in May to sell books, apps and SAT prep materials to help raise money for his college education at the University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovakia. This is his sixth and last year coming across the Atlantic to sell books and see America at the same time, he said.
The books Plochan sells come from Southwestern Advantage, the student arm of a 170-year-old door-to-door bible and educational bookseller based in Nashville. The company has an A-plus Better Business Bureau rating and 4.5-star reviews, despite some less than favorable comments from disgruntled customers.
There are no Houlton ordinances restricting door-to-door book selling, although it does require town council approval, according to Jeremy Smith, town manager.
On Tuesday night, councilors denied Plochan’s application. The unanimous “no ” vote came after town councilor Eileen McLaughlin shared information she found online about Southwestern Advantage.
“Under the Better Business Bureau there are a slew of very serious complaints,” she said. “Also students have this rigorous work week for 72 hours a week and they have to financially cover their lodging and food. From what I’ve read it’s very concerning.”
Southwestern Advantage has been a founding member of the Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee since 1961, said Trey Campbell vice president of communications in response to McLaughlin’s remarks.
“We’ve been members in good standing ever since. We have an A-plus rating and we are accredited,” Campbell said. “Yes, there are some complaints out there. But we also deal with millions of customers a year and we have a very low percentage of complaints. Our reviews are very high, 4.5 out of 5 stars.”
Town manager Smith said that the town wants to support local booksellers and they did not want door-to-door sales to impact local business.
The Southwestern Advantage college student program has been around since 1868 and the parent company since 1855.
Basically, they are using their summer to learn soft skills and things not taught in the classroom and it is an experiential education, Campbell said.
The program consists of both U.S. college students as well as international students who participate in a travel program to learn about American culture and American entrepreneurialism.
“It’s a shame that a councilwoman would make her opinion based on things that she saw online and maybe misinterpreted a little bit, “ Campbell said.
Plochan arrives in the U.S. on Monday and will live with a host family in Fort Fairfield, he said, adding that his summer bookselling gig has helped him pay for his bachelors and masters educational programs. He’s been to Illinois, Minnesota, Saskatchewan, Oklahoma and Kansas in previous years and now Maine this summer.
“I will work in Presque Isle, Caribou and then Houlton,” he said.
There is no type of door-to-door sales ordinance in Presque Isle, said city clerk Kim Finnemore.
A permit and city manager approval is required in Caribou, according to city clerk Daniell Brissette, who added that she has never experienced a problem with the permits.
The European entrepreneur said he is a professional and always stops at local law enforcement for an introduction to the community.
While in Kansas last summer, he got a thumbs up social media introduction from several police departments including WaKeeny Police Department, Hill City Kansas Police Department, Gove City Sheriff’s Office and Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office.
“Please take note that we have a gentleman from Europe in our county. Michal is in our area selling books, apps, ACT prep materials to help raise money for his college education,” posted the Sheridan County Sheriff. “Let’s show Michal how awesome and welcoming the people of Sheridan County can be.”
Campbell said that it is part of the program protocol for all students to go to law enforcement agencies and introduce themselves and leave a fact sheet that has their name, number, license plate number, height and weight, eye color. And they live and learn in the community for the summer.
“It’s kind of a shame. A lot of people could learn a lot from his culture even if it’s just through a brief interaction and his infectious attitude about life,” he said.
Initially, Plochan earned college credit for his work, similar to a student internship, he said.
When he returns to Slovakia in the fall, he has one more step to complete his masters degree in data science. He has a bachelor’s degree in business information technology, he said.
Several weeks ago, he posted on Houlton Calling Facebook that he was looking for a host family.
“I work 12 hours everyday even Saturdays, so I do not need that much, only a safe place to sleep so my mom back home feels ok about me being here alone,” he posted.
Since that time, Plochan found a host family with references from previous hosts. .
During Tuesday night’s meeting, council chairman Chris Robinson invited Plochan to come to the council meeting in person to explain his request.
Plochan will do that right away, he said, adding that he wants to make sure everything is ready.
“The last six summers I’ve had 4,000 customers,” he said. “I always try to be professional and after they meet me in Houlton it will be better.”
