<p>I'll be buying most of my college furniture/accessories there since i'm doing preorientation and dont' want to lug my stuff around.</p>
<p>how much on average, do u think a student will spend on dorm supplies?</p>
<p>what about books?</p>
<p>thanks, i just want to budget with my parents accordingly</p>
<p>With books, take a look at <a href="http://www.dukestores.duke.edu%5B/url%5D">www.dukestores.duke.edu</a>. If you go to the textbook store site, you can enter your classes and see prices on books. You still have time to find some deals online, so you can always order your books now and have your parents bring them to school, or something like that. Nevertheless, you can see all the prices there. </p>
<p>Well, let's see. In the realm of personal supplies/stocking up on things like that (body wash/medicine/cleaning supplies/etc etc) it was probably a $100 trip to Target...of course you may not need all that but I didn't have a car my freshman year so my parents wanted me to be set. Probably another $50 for school supplies (pens, pencils, stapler, three hole punch, spiral notebooks (which are apparently expensive))</p>
<p>With furniture and accessories I can't remember that incredibly well because, well, we just kinda bought everything at different places. BUT I'll try my best to give you a general idea. For bedding (and I spent a huge amount on this) I probably put in around $250, with comforter, memory foam AND egg crate, 2 sheet sets, pillows, and blankets all considered, BUT I promise you can really get by much cheaper on that, although I did have an incredibly comfortable bed. I probably put $30 into lighting. $40 for a nice comfy chair to sit in. It depends on how you split things up, but I had to budget $200 this year for a DVD player, microwave, and fridge since I'm getting a single...so that's always something you have to consider, as well as a TV. $30 for a rug, since my dorm was hardwood. $20 for some mesh storage cubes. Probably $50 for things like hanging shoe/sweater racks/organizing bins. Maybe another $25 for desk accessories. $20 or so for bulletin boards. Posters/decor I all brought from home, but I spent like, $20 on hooks and adhesive which seems like a lot, but those things are expensive and I used them ALL. That's just me though...I'd honestly take a look at lnt.com or bb and beyond's website and maybe a shopping cart or something...see how much it ends up being and let your parents know.</p>
<p>Oh, and I don't know how much they retail for/how much I spent, but you may want to buy surge protectors/things like that at home, just because they tend to run out around move-in at school.</p>
<p>thanks a lot loveduke22!</p>
<p>I think I read today that the average college freshman expects to pay about $1200 on back to school stuff total, but I mean, I can't imagine shelling all that out when you get to Durham unless you're going clothes shopping, stuff like that. It's a chunk of money but a lot of it is a one time deal.</p>
<p>do stores near duke (such as BBB, target, walmart) sell out of stuff quickly during move-in week?</p>
<p>For BBB - go to your local store and do the preorder. Yes, in 2006 the Durham SuperTarget was picked over - nary a laundry basket to be found. Shelving units almost gone and no storage boxes. Walmart's selection was so so - not as picked over as Target.</p>
<p>BBB which is north of campus (and about 5 minutes away) was fully stocked every time we visited. Store staff told me move in week is their Christmas - they are very well organized - all the preorders are in a separate area. An extra cash register is also set up outside in the front of the store. What is nice about BBB is that you can preorder storage units, chairs, etc. If it doesn't fit your dorm room - just take it back to the store - no problem.</p>
<p>Also, save the coupons that come in the mail or look on line for their coupons. I was told that BBB will ring up your purchases and allow you to use more than one coupon at a time. That's in another thread in the parent forum. I was not that well organized so I cannot validate that information - but it is worth a try as their coupons are usually for 20% off.</p>
<p>You can use up to 5 coupons at a time at BBB and they don't go by expiration dates....so you can save up coupons. You also can bring back receipts with additional coupons and have money refunded if you left your coupons at home etc. (again up to 5 coupons per a receipt limit one coupon per item--so you buy 4 items you can only use 4 coupons).</p>
<p>BBB Pack and Hold is incredible. I checked yesterday and was told that our order had already been filled. I was also told that the Durham BBB was out of two of the items, so our local BBB shipped the items down there.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info on Target selling out. I thought that might be the case, so I'll be doing another run this weekend. I hope we can get everything in the cars. We 've got two to move in.</p>
<p>the main super target does sell out, but they tend to re-stock quickly (in terms of items like furniture and lamps and even school supplies) -- last year was the only year i've been disappointed in looking at the selection of things like shampoo and laundry detergent. in any case, if you're willing to venture over for southpoint (esp. around dinnertime! should be less packed than restaurants near campus and on 15-501) there's a super target there that is generally more stocked during move-in week.</p>
<p>You can also find someone with a car (if you don't have one), ask for a ride, and go the weekend after move in when there's less pandemonium.</p>
<p>Hey, proudinnj, how did you check for that?</p>
<p>enteril:</p>
<p>Called the local BBB because the list we were provided indicated under "Desk Lamps" to check with sales associate. Local BBB advised me to call the Durham BBB. The sales associate in Durham checked the computer listing and told me that the order had been filled and that Durham was out of the desk lamps, so our local BBB shipped two down.</p>
<p>So far -- very organized. Hopefully, everything is there when we pick it up.</p>
<p>The other good thing about BB&B is that if, once you see the room and what the roomie has brought, you decide you don't want something you pre-ordered, you don't have to get it!</p>