This place is a dreeeeam and I'm even hesitant to review it on here in case it becomes too 'known'…read more But I guess any publicity is good publicity for the business owners, right?! Think gorgeous French antiques, refurbished furniture and oodles of atmosphere. I would buy anything and everything, had I the money to do so. If you follow them on Facebook you can see what new items they have arriving in store. You can often find second-hand authentic Tolix chairs, industrial-style lights and shades and gorgeous, reasonably-priced vintage bottles. They hire out furniture too - perfect if you've got a function coming up or even just want extra seating at home over busy periods like Christmas.

This place defines 'local knowledge'. It's so hidden, I walked past it everyday for a year and…read moredidn't know it was there. When I eventually discovered it, I was so excited. Filled with French antique delights, its like a Parisian treasure trove. There are tables, chairs, huge lights, rustic medicine bottles, and cabinets packed with hundreds of gems. Loads of cafes like 'Foxtrot' have their antiques as their café furniture and if had my own house, I know where I'd be heading to fit it out. When I talked to the shop assistant he said that they also hire out the outdoor tables and chairs for functions. They would be perfect for weddings.

This antiques store has so much character. From the first moment you walk in, you get a whiff of…read moreancient and expensive things; much like the old smell you would get if you were to venture into your grandparents storage room. It is almost impossible to find what you are actually looking for in this store, it literally has so much stuff piled on top of so much stuff that I doubt even the owner would be able to locate a specific item. The dazzling glare of shiny trinkets and silverware is almost overwhelming (seriously so much silverware!). And just when you think you have reached the end of the shop, a small right turn comes out of nowhere and takes you into yet another room filled with antique goods. Everything here seemed to be so expensive in my opinion, but I know nothing about the price of old collectables. I just had a good time getting lost in this shiny wonderland.

Antiques of Epsom is a cluttered adventure store for people who like antiques. The have a mélange…read moreof exciting items to browse through including silverware, china, art bottles and cameras, instead of the usually sparse selection of bulky furniture. Most pieces have a descriptive tag attached or knowledgeable staff members nearby. I was disappointed by the way a staff member gouged at a fob watch with a butter knife when I visited recently but the shop is so much fun to browse I can't help but return, especially as I have my eye on a great pewter beer mug. Finding a deliciously old, dusty volume or conversational piece is easy in this comfortable antique store.

Royal Oak Trading Co., or "that antique store by The Zookeeper", is a decent shop to get lost in…read morefor half an hour or so. Don't be put of by the rusting garden tools and junk in the entrance. Inside you will find just about everything excluding clothes and jewellery. It does ever so slightly feel like the dumping grounds for assets of an estate. Nothing is new in the store and you c an rummage through heaps of boxes and books and assorted paraphernalia. But you will find something that tickles for fancy at an affordable price, not necessarily cheap but better than most "Antique Stores". They also have an extensive library of old vinyls and books. Just try not to look shifty as the staff will follow you around the piles of furniture to keep an eye on you.

We went here today in search of a desk, and sadly, didn't find one. Well, we did, but it kind of…read morehad a SOLD sticker hanging off it, and when we enquired as to whether it was actually sold (since the sticker looked old and was hanging on by a corner), no one seemed to know, or wanted to find out. We had a look around anyway, and this place is a hipster's paradise. Most of it is genuinely old, and slightly overpriced. I got two sewing patterns for $2 apiece (and they weren't even that great), and other op shops are selling them for around 50 cents each. We also grabbed a couple of spanners for $2 each, and I got some zips and piping for another $2. There is a large section of stuff that isn't secondhand and is brand new, and is extremely expensive. I saw a set of double bed sheets with foxes on them for $214. I know foxes are "in" right now, but seriously. Obviously very much taking advantage of the whole "vintage vibe" that people are loving right now, and good on them I guess, but I was looking for genuinely old, unfashionable secondhand stuff, and of that there just wasn't that much, sadly.

The coolest second hand and collectibles store in Auckland for sure. The mass size of this…read morewarehouse is amazing and full of everything from a Tonka truck for the kid to vintage surfboards that make the man cave look awesome. My first visit to J & D I spent over an hour and a half just wandering back and forth peering at peoples past belongings. I have purchased a beautiful vintage glass cake platter the kind that nana used to have, and a glass perfume spray bottle that opens up and allows you to fill it up with any scent you wish. Prices are not too pricey, so won't break the bank. If you love exploring antique stores give this a try you might find a painting that inspires you, or a vintage lounge suite to redecorate with? Staff are helpful however, usually only one person working the store. Be prepared for cool and cool is what you will get.

Aunty Mavis feels just like that - it's as if you've stepped into your elderly aunt's house where…read moreeverything is a jumble of treasures waiting to be discovered. Everything in the shop gives you the feeling that it's been hand-picked especially to bring a smile to your face. The shop is filled with excellent vintage crockery that's old enough to be quaint, but not yet old enough (or rare enough) to be really pricey. Think the mid-century stuff, like the less-collectable Crown Lynn. There's also a range of delectable linen and books, clothes (mostly from the 1970s), and household bits and pieces.

Aunty Mavis is the home of antiques, retro and curios in St Kevin's Arcade. If you're a total…read moresucker for Crown Lynn crockery like me, Aunty Mavis is the place to go. Alongside Mavis' collection of crockery is a wide array of furniture, furnishings, collectables and the odd creepy doll staring at you, willing you to simultaneously wander in and stay the hell away. Ardent bargain bin diggers will probably hate the prices, but if you're in the market for something cute, retro and often New Zealand made, Mavis will have it... you just might have to pay a bit for it.

Dianna and Bruce have a great deal of knowledge and experience with jewellery and gold soveriegns…read moreand other types of collectibles. They are also very trust worthy

I found Abbey Antiques the best place to come to when the girls and I were looking for 21st…read morebirthday gifts for our friends. These vintage pieces are just so stunning and classic, they're never going to date and they're something stunning you can have with you for years to come. They have a large range of beautiful jewelry and watches; they also have some antique furniture, records, china and much more. It's not a very big store but there is still A LOT to be fascinated by and look at. The prices here range from inexpensive to quite expensive, but that's what you need to expect from gorgeous vintage pieces. If you're looking for something a little different from your usual mainstream items, pop in here and check it out, there are some real beauties.

Joseph H is right - this space really is an oddity among the stores along K'Road…read more I wanted to like The White Elephant. I worked up the road from the place as it was opening, and it was fun to look through the small windows on the Mercury Lane side of the store and see what was unfolding inside. I assumed that the chaos I could see was because they were still setting up the shop, but I've been there a few times since and it still feels like they're unpacking. I know op shops should have a bargain bin/dig around feeling to them, but The White Elephant is really just a bunch of crap, like you'd find at the old Aotea Square markets or at Avondale on Sundays. I've never walked away with anything from this store. Ever.

This op shop is...interesting. It's full of all manner of odd things - old electronics, vintage…read morefabric, clothes, kitchenware, and hideous knick knacks. My husband was looking for a pair of jeans and I browsed the sewing patterns, but both of us came up empty-handed. There was quite a bad smell in the back where the clothes are - they were burning incense to try and mask it, but it was really dreadful, like old stagnant water. The sewing pattern prices are quite a joke - $10 for a criminally unfashionable 80s blouse? No thanks. My husband found an old potato chip cutting apparatus in the kitchen section that had mouldy old fries still stuck to the back of it! Foul. I can't say I'll be back - I like a bit of quirkiness in my op shops, but not to the tune of mouldy chips and stinky clothes.

Thrift shops can be a little hit and miss, but that's half the fun isn't it!? Call me tinny, but at…read moreNew Beginnings in Takapuna I always seem to HIT. An example of some recent hits.... Hit 1: A Chloe (YES CHLOE) trench coat. It cost me $30 (which yes, is a little steep for an op shop) but my, oh my, this coat is lovely. I wait, with anticipation for someone to stroke my coat and ask where it's from, just so I can explain the story. I'm practically a walking advert for the City Mission Hit 2: A beautiful eggshell blue daisy vase. It has prime position in my kitchen window and I've seen the neighbours giving it jealous stare downs as they pass. Back off - it's mine Hit 3: A flax back pack/bag. No, not like the one you tried to make as a 10 year old. This flax bag is the BOMB. It's secure and makes a perfect gym bag. No more smelly gym gear. I guess because it's a natural, breathable material, even wet towels come out of it smelling fresh. Hit 4: Of course, one of the biggest hits is that all the profits go straight back to the City Mission. It's great organisation and shopping at New Beginnings is perhaps the easiest (and most rewarding) was to support it

Staff were honestly so friendly and found 2 Tommy H. Polo's which were sold for $5!!!! Such a good…read moreprice and they were honestly nice enough I got a 50% off!! I found some Ralph Lauren's and even more famous brands and they were in good condition!! Would honestly highly recommend :)