I have already registered for the fall semester of 2015 and some of my classes have their list of required textbooks out. I searched around Amazon, and found some great deals on used textbooks in good condition. Question is, is it TOO early to be buying textbooks for the fall semester? I would have to transport these textbooks on a 13+ hour car ride from my house to school on move in day. Also, is there a certain time of year that has the best selection for used textbooks, such as right after finals/midterms, at the start of summer, etc?
Right after finals is when students start to sell their books. The general rule is that you shouldn’t buy books until after the professor specifies which are needed and which editions are acceptable. Sometimes these are quite different than what is written in the course description. Additionally, a new edition might make a particular textbook obsolete, meaning that you could spend hundreds on books you can’t use since the numbering is off.
There’s a reason that the overwhelming majority of college sophomores and above wait until the beginning of the semester to purchase their texts.
You don’t know if your schedule might change - what if you change or swap a class during add/drop?
I tend to not buy/rent the book until the first assignment requiring the book is given, which is usually after syllabus day.
It depends. I’m a physics major, and with my physics classes I sometimes know that I’m definitely going to be taking a given class with a given professor, and I know that he/she is definitely going to use a given textbook. I’ve bought a few books already for this fall semester because I know that I’ll definitely need them. There are a lot of classes where this isn’t the case though, in which case I’ll likely wait until late summer to buy them. I’ll watch them for a while before I buy them though to see if any really good deals pop up.
Yes, be patient. Last semester, I went ahead a purchased a textbook for one of my classes (it was dual enrollment, and since I didn’t have access to the college library, I had to get it from barnes and nobles). The book was right, but the code inside it didn’t match with the class I was taking. Since I didn’t have access to the online section of the textbook, I wasn’t able to submit any homework, and I basically failed the class. But the professor took pity on me and gave me a D instead 
It all depends on the professor and what textbooks they require. If you just need any old book, and you know that for sure, then go for it! But I would wait until at least you know what classes you’re taking.
In a couple of my classes we never even used the textbook. That’s why I started waiting until the first or second class meeting until I buy textbooks.
I would wait until the first week of class. You’ll find good deals on books in August, too. Like the others have said, you may end up dropping a class for which you bought a textbook, and you will end up wasting money. Also, some professors might post what textbook(s) you will need to purchase, but some professors might tell you that you don’t really need to purchase it/them; they just post it to comply with school/department policy.
Do you have your dorm assignment already or have a mailing address to where you’ll be staying? If so, just wait until you’re about a week out from your first day then order the books and have them sent to your school. Freshmen usually over-pack, anyway, so having a bunch of books to lug across the country isn’t necessary.
Wait until fall, thing might change between now and then.
I would wait until you actually get the syllabus. Often the textbook is on reserve at the library, so you can still scour the internet for bargains, but at least have something to read while waiting for delivery.
Honestly, I’ve always ordered books way in advance and have been fine. If you know for sure you’re taking the class, then why not?
I’ve also been lucky and every book I’ve bought has been used. If you want to get ahead, this is great. But if you don’t care about getting ahead, then I don’t know if you’d want to buy them that early.
Depends on your reasoning, I guess
Wait untill fall…
Wait until right before…i have seen with my daughter’s classes that the professors sent out emails about book that were not really required…also you can rent text books! For classes that you won’t need the books again, it may make sense to rent them.
I get all mine shipped to my house from Amazon a week before classes start. This way I can get a head start on reading and avoid bookstore gouging. If I end up dropping a class, the 30 day return policy gives me enough time to return it.