Dare I start the shopping thread?

<p>In the last three days, I was at 2 Targets-3Wal-Marts 1 Linens&Things and a BB&B. This was only to buy two twin size foam pads for camp beds as both my girls will be camp counselors this summer. Well at 9:30PM last night at the third Wal-Mart, my mission successfully ended. Let me tell you, all those X-Long mattress pads, crates, sheets etc. are still available, but the stock was getting low. So I strongly suggest to all parents who will be sending a kid off to college this year--check to see if your kid needs regular size twin bedding or Extra Long. The info is usually on the college website under Residential Living. I can happily say I am in an off year for college shopping. Went through it last year for d # 1 and have another year to go. Also if memory serves me correct- Bed Bath and Beyond had a wonderful website for College Shopping. It was also very informational and helpful even giving practical advice such as making hotel reservations NOW for Parents week-end. Good luck to all- Freshmen Year Preparation is a trip!!</p>

<p>I agree BB & B was a very helpful online shopping site.
We didn't need to buy a foam pad ( I didn't even buy one for when she was at camp although those beds were more in need- didn't even occur to me ) but I did buy extra long all cotton sheets there & a boyfriend pillow ( with arms) for studying on the floor.</p>

<p>Crate & Barrel has good stuff.</p>

<p>I think the stock you were seeing now is for the early bird" shoppers. Theres plenty of time to restock,I think we did our shopping in July when the dorm assignments came out,and everything was available.
Don't forget about the great BBand Beyond service of ordering at one location and picking up at another.We availed ourselves of this service twice from NY to Az.Very helpful.</p>

<p>Cathymee - when you use the BBB order at one place and pick up at another, do you pay when you order, or pay when you pick up? DD is attending school in a state with no sales tax, vs our 10% sales tax - it is enough to matter.</p>

<p>I had heard about the bb&b service but can't find it on their website. Should I be able to find it online, or should I go into my local store? Linens and Things has a service to buy on line and pick it up at the store, but everytime I add something to to the cart it is not available at the store near my daughter's school (traveling from Massachusetts to San Diego). I would love to be able to order everything on line and just show up at the store in San Diego and pick it up. I am very afraid that if we wait to buy everything there it will all be out of stock. Also, how far in advance can you order with the BB&B service? Could I order now and pick up in August? Thanks!</p>

<p>Cangel,
I believe the sales tax should be based on the prevailing rate at the store you pick it up at....it shouldn't matter when you pay for it. Here in Massachusetts (5%) if I order on-line at Circuit City and pick up at a Massachusetts store I pay the 5%, if I pick up at a New Hampshire store there is no sales tax.</p>

<p>The BB&B link to their "pack & hold" shipping service to colleges is buried in their shipping page. Here's a direct link:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/bts01_PackHold.asp%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/bts01_PackHold.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I didn't see anything about ordering items at one BB&B and being able to pick them up at another, though.</p>

<p>we ordered stuff from a variety of places. The sheets came from Sears. She saw a really cute duvet cover on sale for $14 at Pottery Barn Kids, etc. Because there are limited stores in NH close to the school (Big walmart in west Lebanon), we ordered stuff in mid/late august and had it shipped directly to the school. School's post office would hold stuff up to 2 weeks before arrival. we paid no sales tax because it was going to N.H. and on some occasions we were able to get free shipping. Also right before we left we had stuff sent up UPS and just picked it up from the school's post office on move in day.</p>

<p>You have to go to BBand B store location and scan in the items, as if it were a wedding registry(go to the service desk).You pay at the pickup location.They took all my coupons at the Tempe Arizona location,even the outdated ones. Saved a ton of $$.Of course this only works if there's a BB&B near the college(or on the way!)
I'm assuming all locations participate but when you go to your local store,they will have a chart with the store locations closest to your college and I guess they'll be able to tell you if the service isnt available there. I don't think you can do online ordering and do the pickup..they do have the pack and ship option online where they will deliver to the college.</p>

<p>Thanks so much for explaining that, I will certainly ask about this at my local store! </p>

<p>And you say they took "all" your coupons? I always assumed there was a "one coupon limit per customer" or something. Haven't tried redeeming more than one....yet.</p>

<p>Hmmm...I also note on their website that if you register, then refer someone who also registers, they send you a $25 discount off a $50 purchase. :D</p>

<p>Someone also told me that if it isn't possible to find out what size beds the school provides, go with twin extra long since the ends can be tucked in if needed.</p>

<p>Took s to BB&B today and showed him the sheets and comforter I'd picked out online. He liked the feel of the 100% cotton jersey, was a bit leery of the modal [beechwood] knit fabric, didn't like the feel of the 50/50 flat weave sheets at all, and thought even the 100% cotton flat weave would take quite a few washings to make them soft enough, so we purchased a couple of the X-long twin jersey knit sets in pale colors that won't bleed onto the rest of his clothes in a load of laundry, and a dark color knit comforter that won't show surface dirt too much.</p>

<p>Bought his towels and wash cloths in a light (but not white!) color a couple of weeks ago at LNT when they had 100% Egyptian cotton on sale. </p>

<p>I'd never been to these stores; I appreciate the heads-up from the parents here.</p>

<p>I'm in the middle of duking it out with an online service recommended by DS's school. They package twin-XL bedding and other dorm accessories. The sheet set I ordered was misrepresented (said cotton, got 52% poly 48% cotton) and they seem to think I should pay return postage. We'll see about that. :mad:</p>

<p>Back to Bed, Bath and Beyond for me.</p>

<p>I had been warned off from those online services,people said the quality of the linens left alot to be desired.
D always preferred the jersey stretchy sheets, and yes, the regular twin size in the jersey will stretch to fit the X Long dorm mattress even with the egg crate under it.Only downside is it does pill after too many washings but then,they don't wash them all that often.
We always found a middle color,like denimy blue worked best,not to light to show all the spills but not too dark to show all the dust.
Gotta love those dorm rooms!</p>

<p>Four letters-Ikea</p>

<p>Bought a lot at IKEA - pillows, duvet, and a lot at BBB with coupon, and LNT for towels with coupon. They only take one coupon at a time. You lucked out with them taking them all - whoever was at the cash register probably figured it didn't matter since it was for another store, anyway. Unfortunately, no BBB or LNT anywhere close to D's school, so we lucked out a friend from school is driving to visit his alumnus son and daughter-in-law and is taking 4 boxes up for us. So, we're flying and won't have to ship anything! Just have to P/u at the house.</p>

<p>Where do you get coupons for BB&Beyond? I've purchased items there before but never have seen coupons.</p>

<p>LOL... I guess you have to live in the zip code areas of their stores?We're bombarded with the coupons...mailed circulars and largish post-card type mailers.I'd say at least one a week.
I don't think they advertise in newspapers with a coupon.
Perhaps call their corporate customer services and ask to be put on their mailing list!</p>

<p>Sign up for email/postal mail here:
<a href="https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/Subscribe.asp?order_num=-1&%5B/url%5D"&gt;https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/Subscribe.asp?order_num=-1&&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>The emails are basically store ads and I haven't seen any discounts offered that way. The coupons come in catalogs and postcards sent by postal mail.</p>