When is the best time to buy/rent books? My son’s orientation was 5/31 thru 6/1. He has not thought about purchasing yet and is working a summer job away from home.
The oft-given advice is to never buy books before the first week of classes because oftentimes a book will be assigned for the course but you’ll never actually use it.
At orientation last week, they suggested that we log in and reserve books ASAP (within a week of orientation). We logged in last night and only 2 of my D’s classes had books assigned already. When I was a student, I usually bought on Amazon and if I found out I didn’t need the book, returning was easy. But I also bought new (for books in my major), used may be a different story.
Thanks for the replies.
Personally, I buy my books during the first week. Professors don’t always post what books they’re using ahead of time, and it takes the guess work out of the process (is this ACTUALLY the book we’ll be using? Is there a cheaper option? Do I even need the book?) I’ve never had an issue with waiting to buy the book. 
@bucks724 Just curious, who said to buy books immediately at orientation? (Asking because I’m actually a PL and I want to make sure that the info I share with students is on track with what others say at orientation!)
I can’t remember which talk it was, honestly. It was one of the parent sessions. They all kinda ran together! But most of them are still not posted, so they will wait anyway!