Q: When is the best time to buy textbooks? Before move in or should I wait until I go to the first day of class?
The Answer
In general, I would suggest waiting until the first day of class when the professor goes over the course syllabus/requirements. While some professors may jump into the material or even assign homework on the first day, most professors don't expect all the students to have the textbook and will give you some time (maybe a week) to purchase the book. In some cases, after attending the first class, I found that I actually didn't need to buy some of the 'required' books since they were really optional. If you're not sure if you want to take the class, definitely wait until the first day of class to buy because the lines to return/refund books are usually very long. Also, if you decide buy the book online, be aware the shipping delay.
As to where to buy books, here's a link to a previous question.
http://answerboard.newstudentwelcomenight.com/questions/122
