JB Hi-Fi always sucks me in. I love buying CDs and DVDs (strictly television seasons), and they're…read morealways conveniently having a promotion or sale when I'm conveniently at odds as to whether or not I can justify my purchase. In this case I'm not sure if its a good thing that I've never experienced buyer's remorse after making a purchase here, as it explains why I keep coming back. There's something at JB Hi-Fi for everyone from games to computer programs to movies, and all at great retail prices too. Now and then they also have one-off sales where everything in-store is cost price + GST- so always good to keep your ears pinned for that one. It's not the biggest JB Hi-Fi branch but I know my way around. The staff here are quite reliable and the last time I went looking for an HDMI cable, the guy there told me about every single one they had, including the advantages and disadvantages. You don't get a lot of great service in retail these days so I take what I can get, and I was very impressed. Even the security at the store here always make a note to say hello and goodbye to all the customers- a little recognition goes a long way.

This JB Hi Fi is my favourite of all the stores. Why? They have amazing staff. One in particular…read moreknows absolutely everything about Anime and recommends which ones are best if you ask him. I can't remember his name, but flip, he is the best! They are always super helpful and have a great selection of DVDs. If I'm on the hunt for something in particular, they are the most likely store to stock it. (bar one time I was looking for Shutter Island - found it on Queen St) The only department in this store that I dislike is the electronics section. One guy tried to sell me an SD TV as an HD one. Fortunately, I was not the stupid woman he supposed, but a film maker who knows the difference. I smiled at him politely, and walked off. I hope he was just ignorant and not really a con man.

As much as I enjoy a trip to Typo, Warehouse Stationery is my staple stationery store. You can't…read morereally beat coming here right before the semester begins to grab a bargain! The Manukau branch gets particularly busy during this time aswell. It's a big store that caters to pretty much all of your stationery needs, whether you're after a new notepad or a few more ink cartridges. If you can't find what you're after, keep looking- I've been there so many times and I still manage to get a little lost! They tend to have some great deals on that change every week, so it's always good to keep an eye out. There's plentiful parking here that's shared with the surrounding stores. They've got an awesome printing centre, which is great for binding documents, getting posters printed, and so on. If you go at the right time, probably in the morning or ring beforehand, you won't have to wait too long! I had my 21st birthday invites printed here, my boyfriend designed a three-fold, double-sided invitation that took about half the day to finally print correctly (it was a little harder than we thought to match up the measurements on both sides). The lady that helped us was great and extremely patient. We did a few trial prints and she was nice enough not to charge us for them (I ordered about 30 copies of the final print). Always been happy with the customer service here and always find what I'm looking for when I visit.

Friendly, helpful staff. Jaycar sells all those little electronics bits and pieces you need to…read morefinish your home audio/video setup (eg. connectors, cables, replacement chargers) as well as after market home security/ monitoring systems, drone toys, and more.

Stationery stores have become huge over the last couple of years with the likes of Typo and…read moreSmiggle. In my fair and honest opinion, Smiggle has nothing on Typo. But in their defence I think their products or more aimed at kids and I know my sister gets lots of stuff from here for her classroom (she is a teacher). The thing I do like about Smiggle is how colourful the stores are, and how everything is colour coordinated. If I didn't get my stationery for free I would probably get more stuff from here, but I do always come and have a look for ideas for presents for my cousins and they always seem to like the stuff from here.

Great service. Very friendly and knowledgable about their products for sale. If they haven't got it…read morein store, they can order it in promptly...just not at Christmas. But then nobody else could, right? I've bought Canon DLSR equipment and accessories, Bluetooth devices, mobile phone accessories, a Dyson Vacuum and all other manner and sundry from this store and will continue to shop and purchase from the store and the staff here. Not pushy. Always helpful. Nothing is too big a request.

This store has all the usual suppliers of household appliances covering from TV's, Whiteware,…read moreDigital Camera's, Computers. Staff are quite friendly, and they take Fly Buys points too

St Vincent de Paul in Onehunga is the ORIGINAL op shop as far as I'm concerned. Back long long ago…read morewhen I was an awkward 14 year old setting out on my own personal style journey this was where it all began. I still have several items bought back in the late 80s from this very store; they are (I shit you not) family heirlooms I will be passing on to my daughter. Sixties green/red lurex shift with low back featuring a large bow? Yep, I own it and it was mere measly-bucks. In fact I remember this was the place where I got my forest green faux suede belted safari jacket. I LOVED that jacket so much I literally wore it out and have major regrets because when I bought it from here circa 1987 there were several others EXACTLY THE SAME right next to it. I think they were all completely unused stock from some recession-hit 60s groove factory. Oh those were the days. Anyway, these days of course you'll find the people who run these places are much more savvy and the good stuff costs a bit more. Also the word "vintage" was added to fashion-speak and ever since op-shopping just hasn't been as much fun. I do love this place though, but you can't be in a rush - these things take time. Another thing I love is the characters. Trannies, old dears (actually quite a lot of trannies); they all still come here and I love it. I think they even may be the exact same people who were shopping here from the early days. Like me.

The dopest of the dopest. The wrinkliest of the wrinkliest. The dustiest of the dustiest. From the…read moredollar racks to amazing 3 piece 80's business suits, all roads lead to St Vincent de Paul. This massive shop actually used to be two op shops - from competing churches/ parishes. Ah those were the days. What makes me sad though is the vultures who are just there to buy stuff to trademe. I guess it's just another stage in the evolution of second hand shopping. I just try to ignore them because their two dimensional greed can definately ruin a good op shop buzz. Tip for insiders - if you want a 15% discount tell the counter ladies you are a friend of Jesus.

Started at similar store next door and no help whatsoever... so grateful to meet Jerry who was…read moreamazing on all levels, customer service was outstanding and his expert knowledge sorted my project at an affordable price! Will be going straight to Mitre 10 from now on.

Great friendly service from staff with great knowledge of the products available in their store…read more On three occasions at different locations, I was asked by three separate staff members if they could assist me. They were able to give me advice on LED spotlights, the location of their bug zappers and also where I could find AA batteries. Very reasonable prices and the best thing is that Mitre 10 is New Zealand owned. Great facilities. Clean. Great layout. Uncluttered. Wide aisles. Massive range of products with great options. Friendly check out staff. Air New Zealand Airpoints affiliation. Definitely coming back.

Okay apart from being a complete rip off this place has all one needs for their university needs…read more From books to pencils to staplers to absolutely everything. I have bought two books from UBS, one by De Vito and another about philosophy. It was a first year student's mistake buying the books at full price when I could've gone onto Trademe for something cheaper. Now that I know I only head to UBS when I need to buy a notebook for my notes or highlighters. It's a great place to buy books if you urgently need one and can't be bothered waiting to win a bid or walk down to Queen Street. Plus as it is a University bookshop you are more likely to find what you are looking for.