Is there a "best place" to buy stuff

[Mama Rana]

I'm almost ready to start ordering curricula and stuff. Just wondering if there is a "best place" to order, or if I should go straight to the source, or....? I'd rather avoid the hassle of ordering used for now.

If it matters I'm looking at things like SOTW, AAS, ETC, and Singapore Math....

Thanks!

[kgianforti]

I buy a lot of stuff from Rainbow Resource Center.

[frugalmama]

I buy almost everything from Amazon.com - sometimes it costs a bit more but I can use giftcards to help cover costs.

[shoefairy3]

I get a lot of my books from Amazon too b/c I have a prime membership and everything from Amazon ships in 2 days free. Yay

[kittywitty]

Used stuff through diaperswappers or yahoo groups. Otherwise Amazon or Rainbow Resources.

[rainbowmoon]

Another one here who shops through Amazon and Rainbow Resource for sure! I don't think I've bought from anywhere else. Oh wait, Discount School Supply is where we get most of our art supplies! I order in bulk several times a year for those. That's about it. (And the library)

I am looking for a place with good science kits if anyone has a source.

[nov05mama]

Amazon, Rainbow Resource, Discount School Supply, and I get some stuff (if I can find it) from PaperBackSwap. I am also extremely fortunate to have a Homeschool Store here locally that sells new materials as well as consignment materials!

Originally Posted by rainbowmoon

I am looking for a place with good science kits if anyone has a source.

I haven't ordered from here before, so I have no personal knowledge of the site, but I have it bookmarked for future reference b/c it looks awesome:
http://www.hometrainingtools.com/

[zjande]

Wow, I'm so unoriginal. I buy nearly everything through Amazon & Rainbow Resource.

[lmonter]

Yup, Rainbow Resource and Amazon.
Or used homeschool supply groups on yahoo or whatever (seems there's a dozen out there for each curriculum!).

[SundayCrepes]

www.allbookstores.com They survey tons of bookstores/used bookstores and find the cheapest books for you.

[Mama Rana]

Thanks everyone! I'll definitely check out Amazon since I have Prime, and the others you've suggested. See who has everything for the best price!

[ILoveMyBabyBird]

Christianbookstore.com had the best prices I've found and shipping is reasonable. I bought some singapore books from there.

[elizawill]

if i don't want to buy used, then I price shop for the lowest cost including s&h. i've ordered directly from the curriculum website, from amazon, rainbow resource, and i also like christian book. if your just looking for simplicity though, rainbow resource is very fair and reasonable with shipping, plus they carry just about everything - so it can be a one stop shop in your order. hth.

[Mama Rana]

Originally Posted by elizawill

if i don't want to buy used, then I price shop for the lowest cost including s&h. i've ordered directly from the curriculum website, from amazon, rainbow resource, and i also like christian book. if your just looking for simplicity though, rainbow resource is very fair and reasonable with shipping, plus they carry just about everything - so it can be a one stop shop in your order. hth.

It does, thanks.

So far RR has everything I want and is mostly cheaper, whereas Amazon only has SOTW and ETC. I have prime, but it would be easier to just place the one order, so I'm likely to go that way. I'll check out Christianbook forist though..... And peek at the curriculum websites to compare.... So many choices!!!

[Momma Aimee]

Originally Posted by rainbowmoon

Another one here who shops through Amazon and Rainbow Resource for sure! I don't think I've bought from anywhere else. Oh wait, Discount School Supply is where we get most of our art supplies! I order in bulk several times a year for those. That's about it. (And the library)

I am looking for a place with good science kits if anyone has a source.

has anyone looked at it -- is DDS a better place for art than Rainbow?

I long to estable a simple routine to my homeschooling -- to my LIFE -- where i just have say 2 or 3 places i go for everything ....

Amazon.com / rainbow and Discount School Supply seems to cover it all ....just wondering ..

[emilys_mom1]

Originally Posted by ILoveMyBabyBird

Christianbookstore.com had the best prices I've found and shipping is reasonable. I bought some singapore books from there.

Love, love, lov Christianbooks.com

[elus0814]

Another person who orders virtually everything from amazon, rainbow resource, and discount school supply here!

I use amazon primarily for books to read (story books, easy reader, etc.) as well as general homeschooling books for myself. It's also great for random little things throughout the year, like pencil grips, and for things like cap erasers that I just don't feel like driving 45 minutes away to an office supply store to pick up. I have a prime membership so everything is free and quick shipping.

I use rainbow resource for all kinds of things but I can't stand paying for shipping so I usually only get up to the $150 free shipping minimum once a year. They have wonderful customer service and pack things very well, the only time I had even the slightest problem they did everything possible to fix it.

I use discount school supply for craft supplies. I get fine art materials locally or through rainbow resource but discount school supply is great for crafty stuff. I've gotten amazing deals on beads, popsicle sticks (a box of 1500!), tempera paint, felt, foam sheets, and so on. Decent quality and inexpensive enough for the kids to make crafts every day.

The only other significant orders I place each year are through math u see (their books have to be purchased through them) and through seton (a Catholic curriculum company).

[elizawill]

Originally Posted by SundayCrepes

www.allbookstores.com They survey tons of bookstores/used bookstores and find the cheapest books for you.

i've never seen this. thank you!

[SundayCrepes]

Originally Posted by elizawill

i've never seen this. thank you!

I used to spend forever going from website to website trying to find the cheapest used books, but with www.allbookstores.com I don't have to do that any more.

[OkiMom]

I have to admit Im so unoriginal, I use amazon.com for 99% of my shopping outside of day to day things. Living overseas in one of the few places I know most of the stuff I want will ship over here. I even found a rocker/ottomen that ships over here and saves me 70.00 from the only rocker they have at the furniture store on base. I ended up paying for Prime for 2 day shipping (which ends up being about a week but regular shipping takes almost a month sometimes longer) but I don't regret it. I know Ive made up for it in saving on shipping.