Hey there, fashionistas and college shoppers! If you‘re anything like me, you want to look stylish on campus and find the best deals on all your school essentials. So when it comes to textbooks and supplies, is Bkstr (aka Follett) the way to go? I‘m diving deep to give you the inside scoop.
What is Bkstr?
First off, let‘s talk basics. Bkstr is a major retailer that runs the official campus stores for over 1,200 colleges and universities across the US. They‘ve been in the biz since way back in 1873, so they know a thing or two about what students need.
Here are some key facts about Bkstr:
- Partners with 80,000+ schools nationwide
- Operates 1,600 virtual campus stores
- Sells textbooks, apparel, supplies, tech, and more
- Offers options to buy, rent, or sell back items
- Provides an online shopping platform and mobile app
Basically, Bkstr aims to be your one-stop shop for all things college. But how do they stack up? I put on my detective hat to find out.
The Great Textbook Search
Let‘s be real, the number one thing most students are after is textbooks. We‘ve all been there, scouring the internet for the best deals. Well, I‘ve got good news and bad news.
The good? Bkstr makes it super easy to find exactly what you need for your classes. Just search by school, then enter your course info. Boom, there‘s your list. They even have a price comparison tool that shows you the cost to buy new, used, or rent.
The not-so-good? Those prices aren‘t always the lowest out there. In fact, an independent study by the National Association of College Stores found that the average college store textbook costs 25% more than on Amazon.
Now, Bkstr does offer some exclusive deals, like a 50% off rental promotion with their Student Advantage program. But if you really want to save, you‘ve got to shop around.
Expert Insights on Textbook Buying
I caught up with money-saving guru Andrea Woroch to get her two cents. Here‘s what she told me:
"My top tip for students is to never buy textbooks at full price from the campus bookstore. There are so many other options, like Amazon, Chegg, and Textbooks.com, where you can find gently used books for a fraction of the cost. You can even rent ebooks now, which is a great eco-friendly option."
She also added that you can often find promo codes online to get a little extra discount from these other retailers. Hey, every bit helps!
Getting in the School Spirit
Okay, so maybe Bkstr isn‘t winning any prizes when it comes to cheap textbooks. But how about showing some school pride with apparel and accessories?
I must admit, I‘m a sucker for a cute sweatshirt with my college logo. And Bkstr definitely delivers in the selection department. They‘ve got tees, tanks, hoodies, hats, you name it, in just about every color and design you can imagine.
Quality-wise, I‘d give it a solid B+. Most items are from popular brands like Champion and Under Armour, so they hold up well. Although I did have one hoodie that shrunk quite a bit in the wash (sorry Mom!).
Pricing is about what you‘d expect for branded college gear. A basic tee runs around $20-30, while a hoodie can set you back $50+. Not cheap, but not outrageous either.
One nice perk of buying from Bkstr is that a portion of sales goes back to support your school. So even if you‘re paying a tiny bit more than Amazon or Walmart, at least you‘re showing some school pride.
Dorm Room Essentials
Moving into your first dorm room is a big deal! And let me tell you, Bkstr has got you covered when it comes to all the essentials.
I‘m talking twin XL bedding, shower caddies, laundry baskets, you name it. They even have some pretty cute decor items to make your space feel homey.
Prices are fairly reasonable, although I‘d recommend snagging what you can during major sales like their back-to-school event where you can often score 20-30% off.
One thing I love is that you can order everything online and pick it up at your campus store. That way you don‘t have to lug it from home or pay for shipping. Plus, if you forget anything, you can always pop in and grab it last minute.
Real Student Reviews
But don‘t just take my word for it. I scoped out some online reviews from real students who have shopped Bkstr for dorm supplies:
"I love that I could get all my dorm stuff in one place and then just pick it up when I got to campus. Saved me so much stress!" – Jessica, freshman at University of Arizona
"The prices were a little higher than Amazon for some things, but the convenience was totally worth it. Plus I found some really cute decorations that I didn‘t see anywhere else!" – Brendan, sophomore at Ohio State University
The Epic Conclusion
So, is Bkstr worth it? As with most things in life, it depends. If your number one goal is saving money, you‘re probably better off shopping around. But if you value convenience and one-stop shopping, Bkstr is definitely a solid choice.
Here‘s my take on the pros and cons:
Bkstr Pros
- Easy to find and purchase all your course materials
- Can use financial aid and campus funds at checkout
- Huge selection of college apparel and dorm supplies
- Convenient in-store pickup and returns
- Earn rewards points and special promos with loyalty program
Bkstr Cons
- Prices for textbooks and supplies not always the lowest
- Limited selection compared to big box stores or Amazon
- Shipping times can be long during busy seasons
- Some items are final sale, so be sure before you buy
Ultimately, I think Bkstr is a great resource for college students, especially if you like to do a mix of online and in-person shopping. They may not always have the rock bottom prices, but they do offer a lot of unique products and perks.
My best advice is to check your campus store website early to see what‘s available and at what price. If you spot a good deal, snag it! If not, you can always use it as a backup.
The most important thing is to go in prepared. Make a list, do your research, set a budget – you‘ve got this! And don‘t forget to have some fun in the process. College is such an exciting time…just don‘t blow your entire savings on fuzzy socks and shot glasses (been there!).
I hope you found this review helpful, my savvy students. If you‘ve got any other Bkstr tips or must-have products, drop a comment below. And if you liked this post, go ahead and give it a share!
Until next time, happy shopping!
