Uni Kit Out - reliable?

[VerySweatyBetty1]

Son starts uni in just over 2 weeks. We're very very tight for space in our car. Thinking of placing an order with Uni Kit Out for the bedding and kitchen basics, to be delivered direct to his halls on the Friday before we arrive on the Sunday.

Reviews are more good than bad but the bad ones exacerbate my fears: eg we'll arrive on Sunday evening to find no package. DS is autistic so wouldn't cope well with having to wait to take himself off to Argos the next morning (it just wouldn't happen).

What are other people's views / experience on this? (it's for the convenience rather than the quality and I realise it's not cost-effective but that's not my primary concern).

He won't have an issue with new stuff. He will seriously barely register!

My DC hall had Amazon lockers so I got lots of bits and pieces delivered there over the first couple of weeks (we have prime) - it was the easiest way to deliver parcels. There were shops nearby but at that time he didn’t know his was round so it took away some stress. Silly things like pins for his corkboard to put up pictures (you weren’t allowed to put things on the walls).

No anxiety around whether it will arrive? Anxiety about not having the right things if not/asking a stranger?

No anxiety it doesn't feel right/look right?

They'd all be super triggers here!! But I do get every autistic person is different and indifference could be useful!

Ah yes - Amazon lockers. Will check to see if they have those nearby!

Oh I see. I think it wouldn't occur to him to be anxious beforehand about that but, yes, it might bother him if it goes wrong. Speaking to strangers - yes, definitely.

Feel/look - won't be bothered.

Mmmm, maybe I need to rethink!

We will stay with her for a little while to make sure she is settled. Anything she is missing I will order on Amazon prime to be delivered to her, or she can make a list and go shop for it herself. Apparently there are lots of shops very close to her accommodation where she can get the rest herself. For us, as long as she can eat, sleep and shower then anything else can be got in the days after she arrives, whether we order it for her, or whether she wants to go and pick it up herself. The Uni have repeatedly emailed to say 'don't overpack!' 😂

If anyone wants a sense of perspective, I urge you to look at 'Dorm Room Moms' and similar on FB. Absolutely mind-boggling!

I don't disagree with you. I wonder if it's something about the available laundering services.

We also supply bedding for conference guests - so we have it and it's NOT a hygiene issue.
I bet local laundry services would do the laundry but perhaps it would cost more than students want to pay in increased cleaning costs.

Does the university recommend Uni Kitout? If so they will be used to accepting the parcels and putting them in the right rooms in good time etc.

You can phone or email the accommodation office directly and ask them which company they use/recommend and how they will deal with the incoming package to ensure your DS has his bedding/kitchen kit etc.

Universities do actually encourage this type of service for their international students anyway, so they will be used to it most probably.

I've abandoned UniKit idea: it feeds too much into my anxiety about things not being ready. So I've placed an order with Dunelm for bedding (to come to our home) and off to a large branch of Sainsbury's tomorrow for the kitchen stuff. We'll just have to breathe in when we pack the car.

DS has announced there's a pub afternoon when he arrives so we will really will be dropping him at speed and then clearing off. I'll suggest he packs everything he needs for the first few days in one easily-identifiable suitcase as I can't imagine he's going to be rushing to unpack!