<p>What is the best way to get a mini fridge and microwave for a freshman dorm room? Will there be companies on campus during move-in days renting these?</p>
<p>You can rent them but I wouldn’t. The price for both the microwave and the mini-fridge is around $160 to rent. Funny thing is you can BUY a brand new microwave and mini-fridge for less than that and use them for all 4 years. Not to mention they aren’t over 15 years old.</p>
<p>At some point this summer you will probably receive some information on renting these. It may come in an email or regular mail. If you reserve them in advance, they will be delivered to the room during Freshman Welcome Week and picked up at the end of the year. </p>
<p>The advantages to renting: you don’t need to move the items in/out of the dorm and you don’t need to transport them from your home. Plus many students live off-campus at some point so don’t need the fridge for four years.</p>
<p>Disadvantages: Price can be higher. The discount stores (Target, Walmart, K-Mart, etc.) stock hundreds of these things in Bloomington in August. The future roommate may have a fridge or microwave. You don’t know at this point. </p>
<p>We bought DD a fridge. Her roommate bought a microwave which they later used in their apartment together. S used D’s old fridge. His roommate brought a microwave. I imagine they will use it in their apartment next year. If DS doesn’t want it, I’ll offer it to a niece starting at IU in the fall.</p>