They should be fine in a cool dark place like a basement.

Thank you for the advice.
Marcia

I had better results keeping early purchased lily bulbs in pots slightly covered with potting soil. It prevents bulbs and roots from drying. They even grow some new roots. And yes, in a cool dark place, unheated garage in my case.

If one was to buy now, is it better to buy bulbs that have a little growth on them? (So you know they aren't dead?) or should one buy completely dormant bulbs?

Is the advice the same either way? That is.. store in a cool dark place until planting?

Lily bulbs are never completely dormant. If they have some growth, it means that they have been stored for a long time. Besides, it is easy to damage new growth during planting.
Choose big firm bulbs with thick white roots. Do not buy bulbs that are moldy and/or mushy. Try to not buy bulbs that are sprouted. Plant them ASAP.

An unheated garage would be a jolt to lily bulbs with the kind of temps we've been experiencing in the north, in my opinion. I wouldn't do it. Alina did say in my case, and we don't know where she/he lives. It would be my recommendation (and I think alini's too) that when you "plant" the bulbs in soil in a pot, your intention is not to get them growing, only to reduce dehydration and preserve the health. The soil should be very light, not heavy, barely moist, and as close to freezing as possible. Putting bulbs in your freezer is also not and option (too cold).

My apologies if I have misinterpreted Alini's post.

Sorry, I forgot to mention my zone.
We have 8-20F outside and it's 35-45F in my garage now.
Leftwood is absolutely right interpreting my post :-)
Keeping bulbs covered with moist soil at slightly above freezing temperature is the best way to store them till spring, IMHO.
You might also want to plant them in pots semi-permanently, for the first season. Sometimes it is not easy to visualize new plants in the garden. You can move pots around when lilies are blooming and try them in different locations in your garden. It would allow you to find a perfect spot for them where you can plant them next fall.