dinosaurdog

The NC State Bookstores offer a Get Booked Early program (http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/ncsubookstor...rvations.html), which pulls out textbooks for students before they get their schedules and allows students to pick them up on move-in weekend.

I'm wondering, is it worth it? I know textbooks cost a lot of money, and the program says it will try to pull used textbooks for order if at all possible but if it is not available, then the textbooks will be new. The benefits are picking them up in person on move-in weekend, avoiding long lines at the bookstore, and tax-free on all orders. I'm guessing the books will cost at least $400 because the site FAQ said to bring $400 in checks or money order.

However, I think that searching around online for textbooks on sites like ecampus.com can be a lot cheaper. But there's really no guarantee, and I don't really know what books I'll be buying yet.

What should I do? Should I enroll in the program (deadline is July 25)? OR should I hold out and wait to receive my course requirements to scout out books on the internet?

(Also, when do course requirements roll out?)

I'm very conflicted and will be much obliged with any help. Thanks!

PackMom

We did the early order book thing when S was a freshman. Younger S will be a freshman this year (diff. sch) and we will likely do the same for him.

I think it was pretty helpful for the first semester. I seem to recall that there was a book missing when he picked his books up because it had not come in yet. So he did have to go back to the bookstore later to get it. You don't get your course requirements until you go to the class and get a syllabus.

As a freshman, you'll be having lots of other stuff to deal with without having to worry if your online book order from ecampus is going to come through on time or not.
I think getting the books on campus for the first semester is the way to go and then try the other methods next time around when you have more experience with the whole process.

dinosaurdog

As always, thank you so much, Packmom! If I may ask, where is your S going to this year?

PackMom

Senior S at NCSU. Freshman S at ECU.

Raleigh27609

I've spoken with several people on campus who advise using Get Booked. The school isn't processing orders until the tax free weekend which saves 6-7% (I can't remember the tax rate). My understanding is the bookstore will have tents up, the student brings the order confirmation form and student i.d. to one of the tents (located outside the bookstore), they pull the pre-filled order (it comes in a plastic bag), and any balance is paid by the student at that time or a pending credit is advised. If for no other reason, the tax saving is worth it.