Just a different method of operation.
We’re from CA. I wouldn’t dare fly anything out there. I’d pick it up as you said. You can preorder and pick it up there or you just get there and buy stuff. The latter was fine for us. Towels, shower caddies, trash cans, sheets, etc. are not rare items.
School starts after Labor Day, we arrived the Wednesday or Thursday before. There’s plenty of time to get situated and purchase dorm items. I don’t see how they could run out of stock, since the place was packed to the gills. And even if they were out of stock, you can buy literally anything on Amazion Prime and get it delivered in 2 days for free.
There was nothing out of stock for us at least. They had oodles of everything we wanted. But if you just have to have something and want guarantees it’ll be there, then by all means pre-order ahead of time. Just not worth it in our case, we weren’t too picky. In and out in about hour +15, but I don’t like shopping. 