Got a mailer yesterday for pre-ordering a kit - mattress pad, sheets, pillow, comforter, 2 sets of towels, etc for around $130. Seems like a decent deal - thoughts? Is it cheaper to hit the discount stores … boy who doesn’t care if it matches, etc.
If this is from the college…don’t do it…unless you are an international,student who cannot get stuff locally.
We had relatives who did this…(residencehalllinens) and their kids began replacing the items almost immediately.
Target, BBB, Walmart, TJMaxx…lots of places to get these things…better quality, and lower prices.
Our kids first shopped in our linen closets. I figured if anyone was going to get new towels, it was going to be ME.
I looked at some of the reviews on some pre-order companies and there were quality/comfort complaints on some of the items. Check out the company from the mailer to see if you will be happy.
I purchased the Ikea Karit quilt and cushion cover, a throw blanket, and small rug locally and will be ordering sheets, towels, pads, etc. for remote pick up from Bed Bath and Beyond. (There was no Ikea in DS’ college town.) I want to get quality that wont pill and will last the 4 years. With BB&B, you select what you want and they have it ready at the college town store.
I’m all for buying decent quality (don’t confuse with expensive) when it comes to bedding. You want to sleep well and make those small dorm beds as comfortable as possible. With mail order like that, you don’t get to feel and touch. I personally would not go that route.
BTW – We are remote ordering since we have to fly to the school. If we could drive, I would be shopping all over this summer. I need the pick up to be simple on the other end and BB&B carries nearly everything. You can reject item before you pay if you change your mind. Bring those 20% off coupons!
Yes…you can pick up at BBB if there is one near your college. OR…you can have items shipped to the school from almost any vendor!
Good point on shopping in the linen closet 
With Ross, Tj Max, Walmart, etc local - I imagine we can shop through the summer and find some good deals. They did mention needing extra long sheets. Are those hard to find?
You will find x long twin sheets, and mattress pads at almost every place when back to college stuff comes out in the late spring early summer.
TBH! My kids never got XLong blankets or comforters.
Around June/July, places start advertising the heck out of XL twin sheets as part of the Back to College shopping. Pretty much every college requires XL.
One thing about shipping to the college. Check the parameters. If you send it too early, the school may return your package. I will be ordering winter outerwear and having it shipped directly to the school since DS has none.
Right…you need to find out IF the college has a mailing address youncan use for shipments to your kiddo for before he actually arrives.
We bought one of those kits for D’s freshman year since we were flying in and the kit would be all ready on move-in day. We had some issues with missing items and there was a hassle to get straightened out, but everything got corrected in the end. The quality was not great, but honestly what do you expect for the price?
We just tossed it all when D moved out instead of shipping it home, and bought better-quality stuff from BBB the following year.
Shop the summer sales. When we did Penneys was out of navy XL twin sheets online- popular color. A few years later when son’s apt had a full sized bed he went with tan. Shows less nose grunge… btw- never did two sets of sheets- if they need washing the kid is awake or can make it through the night. Heard of so many never used second sets. Regular twin blankets and comforters work for XL.
I highly recommend these. They come in twin XL and regular twin, they’re cheap ($19.99 a set but currently on clearance for $14.99), come in a ton of colors. They’re very soft and they hold up pretty well.
We bought sale xl twin sheet sets online and washed them and rolled them. They didn’t take up much room in suitcase. Bought the rest of the stuff with S at move in (various stores–Costco, Target, etc.) It was cheaper and better quality than the stuff being sold with school logo from private company. Of course YMMV.
After S moved out of U housing for JR year, he bought a full-size bed and gave his old bedding to D for her college use. She ended up buying her own full size bed as well and I suspect donated or tossed the old XL twin bedding sets.
No clue about the mail order stuff…but wanted to leave a sheet tip…
If you have a weird kid like I do…who absolutely HAS TO HAVE jersey sheets (they’re like teeshirt material)…I had a heck of a time finding the XL Twin in that fabric!
Turns out they have them at Walmart. I was shocked. I’d checked a dozen stores, many specialty bedding stores…and freaking Wally World ended up having a terrific selection of them…for cheapo.
Also…
Make a point to teach your kids that their towels will last longer and be fresher if they hang them up after they use them.
Would blow your mind how many kids do not understand the basic principle that wet fabric will mildew. Some of these kids don’t do their laundry for a week or more. A bunch of wadded up wet towels in a duffel bag gets gag-worthy in that time frame.
Install a towel hook with Command Strips in their dorm if you have to…but impress upon them that you don’t stow wadded up wet towels. (the roommates will be grateful if this knowledge is applied)
FWIW - Ikea towels have a loop for hook hanging.
I would shop early for the twin XL fitted sheet and the shower caddy (if needed or wanted) as these seem to be the 2 items stores run out of.
For both my boys I didn’t bother with a full sheet set as neither would ever use a top sheet and both wanted 2 pillows and the set only comes with one case. Don’t even begin to assume they will be washing sheets every week and don’t get a solid dark color like navy, black or brown…everything shows!
Get a couple options of over the door/over the bunk hooks and possibly they might hang up their towels,
Enjoy the process!
This sounds dumb, but can someone explain BBB remote ordering or give me a link?