College dorm shopping

[mrsboz]

I have to buy everything for my sons' dorm room. Anybody have any ideas where to get great buys on refrigerator, sheets, towel, bed risers, everything?

 

[java]

Bed risers were a big bust for us. The posts didn't fit! So make sure on those. Everything else I bought as I found it cheap. Sheets I got at bed bath and beyond.( and comforter set) price was decent with the 20% off. Target for some and kolas with a 30%off I got the mattress pad thing. Usually target puts microwaves on sale around now too.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

we sold our dorm fridge (used it for Disney trips until they got fridges in every room and yes, I know about the fridge problem now) and a countertop microwave on Craigslist - have you tried looking for those on there? I wouldn't buy used sheets (maybe that's just me...) but you never know what you'll find on CL.

 

[findmewdw]

My DD moves in to her dorm on Friday. We purchased sheets &comforter at Target. She had to have XL twin size. Prices were much lower there than Bed, Bath, and Beyond even with the 20% off. I did pick up a few other organizing things there though. Big Lots actually did have great deals on comforter sets, but none that "matched" roommates colors. We got a fridge at Walmart over the summer when it was on sale. I've been watching ads all summer and picking up stuff here and there. Now, we are all ready supply wise. Now, if only I will be able to handle my emotions. I am going to miss my baby girl so much! Good luck!

 

[findmewdw]

My DD's college does not allow bed risers that go under the bed. She is allowed to put the bed up with a railing system that has to be bolted together. Might want to check. . .

 

[TLuvsD]

We moved D into the dorm last year...you need to do some research before you buy.

Chances are, you need twin XL sheets. Target, Tuesday Morning, Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond are good places to look. Towels are there, too.

Some schools prohibit risers, some provide them (as in you must use the ones from the school). Check online. Same situation with the dorm fridge and micro--make sure they are not prohibited. Walmart and Target generally have the dorm size appliances this time of year (these were provided in our D's dorm).

Get an extension cord and a power strip while you are shopping. An eithernet cable is a good idea, too.

 

[2TxAgs]

My two leave this week.... lots of tears in my immediate future....

Be sure to check the housing contract/handbook regarding the micro and fridge - ours was very specific as to how big and what wattage were permitted. Same with the risers - very specific.

Bought most of our stuff at Kohls when we had 30%off certificates; lots at Target as well. Keep receipts - I'm figuring we may take some things that they don't need, but I'd rather do that and return them when I get home than fight 1000+ other parents at the local college-town Walmart or Target for the last storage bins, pillows, laptop cables, etc.

Twin "b" leaves this Sunday; "a" leaves next Friday. (On the sonogram they're labeled "a" and "b" for consistancy on following sonos)

Good luck!

 

[JessM]

I would try to pick up as much as you can at Target. They have some good stuff, that will survive all the abuse at college. I still have sheets, bedding, towels, laundry baskets and crates from there that I'm still using 6 years after my freshman dorm move in.

Everything I bought at Walmart fell apart

 

[amcnj]

Some beds are adjustable and you can move the mattress up really high if desired. Other bed frames can be flipped, that is the top posts now become the legs and you can move the mattress support part to the new top. So risers might not be needed, save the receipt!

I saw fridges at Walmart for $98 for the mini fridge size (not the smaller "cube" ones). But as advised above, check with the school as some require you to rent theirs due to supposed power concerns. Unfortunately you end up paying almsot as much for a year as you could purchase one for. I am sure siomene is amking a good profit on this!

My children also had good luck finding towels and sheets at places like Marshalls and Ross. They found some of the lower priced sheets at Walmart did not hold up well.

 

[luvdisney00]

As others have said make sure to check the rules for your school. My daughter was not permitted to buy a micro or fridge but had to rent a combo one (micro fridge.com) for the year. We also thought we were buying bed risers and had them on our list, but went to visit (again) and found they were included and already there. Twin XL sheet and bedding are everywhere now but are hard to find at other times of the year. We found a lot of odds and ends at big lots and did well with the bedding towels etc at kohl's with the 30% off sale.

I am crying already!!! One week to go

 

[Lewisc]

some require you to rent theirs due to supposed power concerns. Unfortunately you end up paying almsot as much for a year as you could purchase one for. I am sure siomene is amking a good profit on this!

The combo micro-fridge units have one plug. A relay automatically cuts off power to the refrigerator when the microwave is operated. Obviously the food in the fridge won't be spoiled if the fridge is off for the minute or two it takes to microwave popcorn. The choice for some schools is to ban microwaves, spend $$$ updating the wiring or require micro-fridge. I guess they could just having people reset breakers every time a person uses a microwave and the compressor on the fridge cuts in at the same time.

The rumor is a company has (had?) a patent on the relay and is making a good profit.

 

[Fierce Fairy]

We leave to get my youngest daughter checked in on Tuesday. Sad mom. She will be a freshman at VA Tech. We got most things from Target using Target Red Card and Cartwheel. They had better deals than even Walmart. We found her notebook computer on Amazon. DD is bringing microwave, roommate is bringing fridge as they can only have one of each per room. Good luck. I know this is a stressful time for parents. Especially if you are trying to budget.

 

[Gina]

Bed Bath & Beyond has a great part of their site where you can (usually) pull up your school and see exactly what is allowed/not allowed, what size sheets, etc. Just go here and pick your state.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

Home Goods!!!

 

[XxStaceFacexX]

Five below had some great stuff. I got a ton of stuff for my apartment

 

[wiigirl]

Bed Bath & Beyond has a great part of their site where you can (usually) pull up your school and see exactly what is allowed/not allowed, what size sheets, etc. Just go here and pick your state.

 

[MSSANDRA]

What we have found many parents do that first year, is just wait till they get there, see what is really allowed and what they need, compare with the room-mate, and make one big trip to the local Target, or Wal-mart if there is no Target. I think only school issued risers are allowed at DS school.

 

[Maddie2]

We take our DS to start his freshman year next week, so we've been shopping too. For bedding, I've found the best prices at Target & Shopko. For microwaves and refrigerators, we found more choices, better brands and better prices at Walmart. The Walmart fridges had better reviews too - and not just on the Walmart website.

DS does not know his roommate, but they emailed to discuss the big stuff. Last item to purchase will likely be a futon, but want to wait until they move in and see how much space they have left to know if one will fit. First item into the room - carpet! Thankfully, we have a large piece leftover from a recent home renovation!

 

[mrsboz]

Thanks everybody. I am headed to Target tonight. I did check out what he needs from Bed Bath and Beyond but their prices are a bit steep.

Yes, I will miss him like crazy, but he isn't going far - only 40 minutes away so I can visit and he can come home whenever he wants.