I recently made a trip to El Framo because I wanted to find a frame for some old war medals that…read morebelonged to my boyfriend's grandfather. It was his birthday and I'd been meaning to do something special with these medals for some time - framing them seemed like a great idea. I initially got a quote for getting them mounted and framed professionally by El Framo but it was just going to be too expensive. But the staff member was very understanding, and helped me instead hunt for the perfect box frame that I could use to complete the process myself. We then selected an off-cut of backing material (with a felt finish) which she cut to size for me. It was quite expensive for a piece of card ($25 from memory) and then the frame itself was $25, but it still worked out much cheaper than having them mounted by El Framo plus it meant I could do it that afternoon - his birthday was the following day so I didn't have a lot of time! Not the most modern selection of frames, a little motley, but a time and place for this little Ponsonby framers.

These guys are great, worked hard on a really tough job, great result and they worked hard to make…read moreit as cost effective as possible, would totally recommend!!

Whenever I come to the Photo Warehouse I end up figuratively drooling over all they have there…read more It's a store filled with all the most amazing cameras and camera gear. literally every where you look there's something I want, need and must have. It's a photographer's dreamland. It's great for the amateur photographer too as they have a wide range of cheap cameras to the very, very high end of the scale for the more professional people. The staff are super helpful and know so much about cameras. It's a great place to go if you're looking for a camera but don't know where to start. They'll help you figure out exactly what you need and the kinds of cameras you should be looking at. I'd definitely pop in there if you're into photography, or even if you aren't it might inspire you to start having a go at it.

I went to Photo warehouse because I had a problem with my charger. Jason was so friendly to check…read moreout what the problem was by using a spare cable from the store. Although they didn't had my charger in stock they helped me out anyways! Unfortunately I was leaving the next day, so we couldn't order a new one either but he helped me out anyways and charged both my sony w-batteries for free! Awesome service there for sure!!

Yes, they are expensive, but they're GOOD. The owners love art - it's a labour of love for them…read more They love working with you to find the best frame and framing technique for your art. I could spend hours in there talking to them and I totally trust them with the art that we've bought from all over the world. I highly recommend. Also note, they're open every day. Quite often framing is a weekend job, and I love that you can pop in on a Sunday. I did take one star off because they are expensive, and I don't know if that's fair because I'd rather pay them than some chain... Tip: they sell lots of great NZ prints. If you're a tourist, I highly recommend for your piece of Kiwiana to take home.

I was looking for cute kiwi prints to take overseas with me and was recommended Factory Frames by a…read morefriend. I would never have thought to try there, as I assumed it was literally just frames, but I was pleasantly surprised. The Lunn Ave store is large and has loads in it. They have a good selection of framed and unframed art work of different sizes. They have quite a few iconic prints, with a Kiwiana theme but they are also contemporary (not the tacky souvenir kind). The two I chose were $19 each; a cute 'Aroha' one and the Babushka Maori dolls. They will be a nice (but subtle) reminder of home to hang in my lounge.

Factory Frames has a big range of pre-made frames, and prices are keen; they start at $7 for a 5x7…read moresize. That's around the same price as buying a frame from the Red Shed, but here you can get one that is infinitely more stylish, and made in New Zealand. They also have image mats in a variety of colours so you can put together a professional looking package for less than $20. You should know that none of the pre-made frames have hanging attachments, but you can buy a kit from them for $2 ($3 for larger frames). I have also had a couple of items custom framed here with good results. So, where do the points off come from? Unfortunately service can be really erratic; I've had to wait for quite a while to be served here sometimes (like more than 10mins long), and the last time I was two weeks ago I was a little taken aback by some rude comments from one of the staff members; I'm pretty sure he was trying to make a joke but it just didn't come off well! However, for price and quality they can't be beat.

Look Sharp is the kind of shop that makes me want to cry. It's stuffed with impulse-buys and…read moreplastic, plastic, plastic junk as far as the eye can see. I can understand why people get excited about it though- there's so much cheap stuff and it does all have a purpose...it's just that the purpose is usually one day of being a St Paddy's day costume or a party decoration, and then being chucked. I get even more moralistic when I think of the wages the people are paid who make this stuff that. But don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I never buy anything plastic or made in a developing country. I just don't want to see a whole shop full of the stuff. It brings me down.

One of the most useful and chaotic stores I've ever been in, Look Sharp Store does what other…read moredollar stores try (and fail) to do. It's clean, well laid out and easy to find whatever you're in the market for - from costumes to dress socks, candles to key rings, Look Sharp has it all... and it's cheap! Many times I've rushed to this store for that last minute item that will make a costume or decorated room really pop - I can't even count the number of times I've flipped on the hazard lights, parked in a place that really annoys the taxi drivers and run in to grab streamers, beer-drinking hats, striped armbands or paint. Seriously, anything silly and frivolous you could ever want is under this roof.

Just been advised that my online order that I should've received between 2-4 working days now wont…read moreget to me until between 8-9 working days. Really not good enough! Will now have to wait until the item arrives then organise it to be returned via post at my own cost for a refund. No notices on their website at all on delays. I would've purchased elsewhere if I had known.

It was late night Thursday shopping, so I popped into the store with a large family portrait…read more(colour photo) - which had originally been professionally photographed, hot-pressed onto a board & framed,... way back in May 1981. I was hoping to have my photo scanned, printed & framed onto a faux canvas, based on their 16" x 20" sized option. Sam, the young Customer Service Rep, offered very attentive & professional assistance. He treated my photo & frame with absolute care, & made every effort to find the best possible solution. He took photos of the portrait as one option, then scanned the photo (in halves, due to it's size) as a secondary option. He then gave me the opportunity to choose which option was my preferred. I settled with the scanned option, as it was as per the original, & captured the colours & angles perfectly. Now it was time to work their magic...with the advanced skills & knowledge of Jonathon, the store's 'Photoshop Extraordinaire' - who has also provided exceptional service & much appreciated outcomes for several of my other photos in the past (also onto 16" x 20" faux canvas), including a Wedding Photo for a friend - who cried tears of joy on opening her present. Jonathon was able to blend the scanned halves of the image together, very quickly, seamlessly & professionally, to create a fantastic result & the perfect Father's Day Gift. Because business was flowing steadily, Sam & Jonathon were happy to complete the task, while I waited - which was an absolute unexpected bonus! Having very carefully removed the photo from it's original frame, Sam even gave the original portrait's glass a really good clean - unasked, before refitting the photo into it's frame again. Couldn't have asked for better service! I will definitely be back, with more photos. Sensational Service is very much appreciated, but rarely consistent, however Warehouse Stationery has proved the exception! Their staff are always very helpful, & keen to provide great solutions & outcomes. Keep it up.

As a professional photographer I really need excellent service and advice from a knowledgable…read morephotography enthusiast whenever it comes to purchasing new gear and I know that I can find just that here at Progear. The thing I like most about this store is they have a really good second hand section with lots of refurbished camera's and accessories for around 1/3rd of their original cost. I bought my 5D body second hand from here and it has lasted me so well with no issues yet! But even if there was an issue I wouldn't be worried as the staff here have excellent contacts and ideas when it comes to fixing Canon products. The staff are so great, they really know what they are talking about, I could chat with them for ages about new products and old faithful ones and everything in-between. They stock the two main brands here, Canon and Nikon as well as an excellent range of after market accessories that are top quality and work well with both brands.